League: National League
The Vanarama National League. The top of the non-league pyramid and gateway to the Football League.
Tom Smith
The 18-year-old signed his first professional deal with the Premier League club in November last year after starring in last season’s under-18s title-winning campaign by keeping five clean sheets in eight games.
Smith, who has also featured for the Gunners Under 23s, also wore the captain’s armband in a pivotal 3-0 home victory against Chelsea last season.
This season, Smith played for Arsenal’s Under 21s in their 2-1 EFL Trophy win at Ipswich Town last month.
Brandon Pierrick
Brandon Pierrick signed for Dover in February 2023.
The 21 year old winger will be looking to make a good impression at Crabble after having already appearanced in the Premier League, Scottish Premier League and Danish Superliga.
Pierrick made his debut for Crystal Palace in the 2019-20 season and then moved north to Kilmarnock to gain some more experience on loan. The next stop on his footballing journey took him to Denmark and Vejle Boldklub where the winger made a handful of appearances. The Whites had to wait for International clearance before announcing the deal.
Shadrach Ogie
The 18-year-old, who can play can play both centre-back and left-back, has made two appearances for the O’s since signing his first professional contract in February 2019.
The Leyton Orient loanee played for AFC Hornchurch’s youth academy before joining Orient in 2018.
The Irishman made his debut for the O’s off the bench in the 1-0 FA Trophy win over Blyth Spartans last season.
He made his full debut against Southend United in the leasing.com Trophy last September and won the Man of the Match award in the 2-0 win at The Breyer Group Stadium.
Capped by Republic of Ireland at Under 18 and 19 level, Ogie, who also spent time on loan at Bishop’s Stortford last season, will wear the number 23 shirt.
Welcome to Dover, Shadrach!
Louis Collins
Young striker who signed for the club in August.
The 19-year-old spent last season playing for Sevenoaks Town in the Isthmian League South East Division, a club managed by his father Micky.
The two-time Kent Youth League Golden Boot winner joined The Oaks following his release from Scunthorpe United after they were relegated to Sky Bet League Two.