Dover Athletic can confirm two additions to Jake Leberl’s first-team backroom staff, with Russell Pope joining as coach and analyst and Luke Fryer appointed as the club’s new physiotherapist.

The appointments further strengthen the support available to the first-team squad as preparations continue for the 2026/27 campaign.

Pope returns to Crabble with extensive experience across senior football, elite women’s football and academy development pathways. A UEFA B-licensed coach, Russell has spent the past four years working in Norway, most recently as first-team assistant coach and player developer with Røa Fotball Elite. During his time in Norway, he worked within senior football while also leading academy programmes and supporting the progression of players towards elite levels of the game.

He is already familiar with Dover Athletic, having previously worked with the club as a first-team performance analyst during the 2020/21 season and as an assistant coach within the under-14 setup. Russell has also served as Head of Academy Performance Analysis at Sutton United and Director of Analytics for the University of North Carolina Wilmington women’s soccer programme.

Alongside his role at Dover, he is currently first-team manager of Herne Bay Women.

The club can also confirm the appointment of Luke Fryer as first-team physiotherapist. Luke recently completed his BSc Physiotherapy Degree Apprenticeship at the University of East London, having trained within a private musculoskeletal physiotherapy clinic.

He brings four years of experience providing pitch-side physiotherapy and first-aid support across school, academy and competitive sporting environments. Luke previously worked with Saracens Rugby Club’s academy, providing pitch-side medical support during training sessions and matches, conducting concussion screenings and assisting with injury assessment and onward treatment. He also spent several years at The King’s School, Canterbury, where he coached a range of sports and provided pitch-side physiotherapy and first-aid support for rugby teams from under-14 to under-18 level.

Russell and Luke have now joined Jake Leberl’s backroom team and will work alongside the existing staff throughout pre-season and the forthcoming National League South campaign.

Everyone at Dover Athletic would like to welcome Russell and Luke to the club.