Category: Club News

Ryan Hanson Signs for 25/26

Dover Athletic Football Club are delighted to announce that midfielder Ryan Hanson has agreed terms to make his loan move permanent and remain at the Megger Community Stadium for the 2025/26 season.

The 24 year-old midfielder began his career at Crystal Palace as a youth before moving on to Hull City where he was a regular in their Under-23 side. On his release from the EFL club in the summer of 2021, he joined his hometown club of Dover Athletic, where he had previously spent a loan spell and in season 2021/22 he made 26 appearances for the Whites. A good season attracted the attention of Torquay United and he signed for the then National League club during the summer of 2022. He signed for Tonbridge during the 23/24 season. Ryan rejoined the Whites on loan from Tonbridge at the tale end of our promotion winning campaign.

There is still time to purchase your season ticket with our early bird discount, you can order your 2025/26 season ticket from reception at Crabble, online at our club shop, or download an application form by clicking here.

Jacob Mensah Signs for 25/26

Dover Athletic Football Club are delighted to announce that defender Jacob Mensah has agreed terms to remain at the Megger Community Stadium for the 2025/26 season.

Dover Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of Jacob Mensah. Jacob made 34 National League South appearances with The Whites during the 23/24 season. He spent the start of last season with Welling before returning to Dover and was an instrumental part of our promotion winning back-line.

The 24-year old began his career with Ramsgate as a 16-year-old, wracking up over 70 appearances as a teen and attracting the attention of Crystal Palace. A move to Selhurst Park in 2019 saw Mensah represent the Eagles’ U23s for 18 months, before he joined Weymouth in the National League in January 2021. Spells with Morecambe, Maidstone United and Torquay United followed before joining Dover Athletic.

There is still time to purchase your season ticket with our early bird discount, you can order your 2025/26 season ticket from reception at Crabble, online at our club shop, or download an application form by clicking here.

Alfie Matthews Signs for 25/26

Dover Athletic Football Club are delighted to announce that Alfie Matthews has agreed terms to remain at the Megger Community Stadium for the 2025/26 season.

The 23 year old began his youth career at Arsenal, joining their academy at the age of eight and spending over a decade there. During his time at Arsenal, he trained with the first team and made notable progress through the youth ranks​. He was capped for England at U16 level, where he scored on his debut. He later joined Crystal Palace U23s. Matthews joined Dover at the start of the 24/25 season having been at National League South sides Hemel Hempstead, Braintree and Welling. Alfie made a huge impact on our promotion winning campaign, scoring 13 goals including winners in both the Play-Off Semi-Final and Final.

Jake Leberl has said:

We are delighted that Alfie has agreed to stay for another year. He had options to move closer to home on better terms, which shows just how much he’s enjoyed his time here. He’s truly embraced the club and the community, and played a huge role in last season’s success – especially in the play-offs. Alfie believes in our ethos and the plan to continue building and growing together. We’re all looking forward to creating more memories with him.

There is still time to purchase your season ticket with our early bird discount, you can order your 2025/26 season ticket from reception at Crabble, online at our club shop, or download an application form by clicking here.


Kieron Agbebi signs for 25/26

Dover Athletic Football Club are delighted to announce that forward Kieron Agbebi has agreed terms to remain at the Megger Community Stadium for the 2025/26 season.

Kieron joined the Dover Athletic Academy in July 2021 and was promoted to the first team in March 2022. Agbebi was part of Dover Athletic’s under-19 squad that won the National League South title. In August 2023, he signed with Gillingham FC, where he featured in the club’s ‘B’ team before returning to Dover. His 2024/25 campaign was struck with a serious foot injury and after recovering from surgery he spent the end of the season on loan at Hythe Town.

Jake Leberl has said:

I’m delighted to retain Kieron. Unfortunately, last season didn’t go to plan for either of us due to his injury, but he’s worked hard to get himself back fit and is hungry to succeed. He has all the attributes to push his career forward, and we’ll do all we can to support him. He’ll need a run of games to build up his match fitness and confidence, but we believe once he does, he’ll flourish.

There is still time to purchase your season ticket with our early bird discount, you can order your 2025/26 season ticket from reception at Crabble, online at our club shop, or download an application form by clicking here.

George Wilkinson signs for 25/26

Dover Athletic Football Club are delighted to announce that midfielder George Wilkinson has agreed terms to remain at the Megger Community Stadium for the 2025/26 season.

George, a Dover Athletic Academy graduate, signed his first senior deal with the club in January 2022. The then 18-year-old made his first start for Andy Hessenthaler’s side in the 2-1 National League defeat at Wealdstone that January. He went on the make a further 22 appearances in the National League, scoring once – that spectacular effort at Wrexham. Wilkinson has gone on to make 50 National League South appearances, finding the net three times. He featured 41 times in all competitions during our 24/25 promotion winning campaign.

George Wilkinson has said:

“I’m really happy to be staying with the club for next season. I can’t wait to get back out on the pitch and give it everything. Let’s make it another memorable season. Up the Whites!”

Jake Leberl has said:

“We’re delighted that Wilko has agreed to stay. He made it very clear he wanted to remain part of the exciting journey ahead. After a difficult summer last year and a frustrating season for him personally, where he didn’t play as much as he deserved or would have liked, he still played a key role in what was ultimately a successful campaign. Wilko is a great lad with exceptional attributes and real talent. I really hope we can grow together and share many more happy footballing memories.”

There is still time to purchase your season ticket with our early bird discount, you can order your 2025/26 season ticket from reception at Crabble, online at our club shop, or download an application form by clicking here.

2024/25 Retained List

Dover Athletic can confirm our retained list following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season: 

The following players have been offered new contracts & received retained letters under the Bosman Ruling:

George Wilkinson 

Luke Baptiste 

George Nikaj 

Roman Charles-Cook 

Henry Young

Luca Cocoracchio

Alfie Matthews

Kieron Agbebi

Matty Holness

Francis Mampolo

The following loan player has returned to their parent club and we are grateful for the excellent service they gave in their time at DAFC. We also extend our thanks to parent club Tonbridge Angels.

Ryan Hanson

The club is in continued discussions and negotiations with the following players and we will continue to keep supporters informed of any positive updates as they progress further:

Fuad Sesay

Jeremiah Gyebi

Joe Tennent

Eniye Amgbaduba

Tamas Amgbaduba

Claudio Boakye-Sarfo

Jacob Mensah

Jordan Gillmore

Kweku Lucan

Ruben Soares-Junior

The following player has agreed terms for next season:

Mitch Walker

Mitch Walker Signs for 25/26

Dover Athletic Football Club are delighted to announce that goalkeeper and captain Mitch Walker has signed a new contract and will remain at the Megger Community Stadium for the 2025/26 season.

Walker, who signed for Whites from Brighton & Hove Albion in May 2012 made 279 appearances throughout his 7 season stay at Crabble and was an ever-present in our Vanamara National League campaigns. The former England C man returned to Crabble for our 2024/25 promotion winning campaign and marked his 300th appearance for the club at the Play-Off Final game against Dartford. 

Mitch Walker has said:

“I’m pleased to have committed to the Mighty Whites for another campaign. Last season, getting promoted in the manner we did, will live long in the memory for everyone involved in the club. However, we must now turn our attention to establishing ourselves back in the challenging National League South, which I’m extremely confident we can do, and who knows where the season will take us.”

Jake Leberl has said:

“We’re absolutely delighted that Mitch has agreed to re-sign. Hopefully we can keep him fit, and there’s no doubt he’ll prove what a top goalkeeper he is. He’ll be our captain, leading us back into the National League South.”

There is still time to purchase your season ticket with our early bird discount, you can order your 2025/26 season ticket from reception at Crabble, online at our club shop, or download an application form by clicking here.

Official Promotion T-Shirts On Sale Now

After a historic season and unforgettable promotion, it’s time to celebrate properly with something you can wear with pride.

We’re proud to release the official Dover Athletic Promotion T-Shirts, featuring a custom design showcasing the full squad that brought glory back to Crabble.

These shirts are manufactured on behalf of Dover Athletic by Ambition Sport, a Kent-based sports clothing company committed to supporting local clubs and communities.

By ordering a shirt, you’re directly supporting Dover Athletic, every purchase helps fuel the future of the club.

Details:
– Available in yellow, white or black
– Price: Junior (£17.50), Women’s & Men’s (£20)
– Sizes: Men’s Yellow up to 3XL | White & Black up to 5XL. Women’s Yellow up to Size 18 | White & Black up to Size 20. Kids from Ages 1/2 years in White & Black and Yellow from 3/4 years.
– Pre-order open now for 10 days only: https://www.ambitionsport.com/product-category/sports-clubs/football-clubs/dover-athletic-fc/
– Delivered approx. 1 weeks after pre-order window (postage costs apply)
– Buy 2 = Free Postage

Whether you stood on the terraces, followed every result online, or cheered from afar, this is your piece of history. Celebrate the squad, the fans, and the fight.

Order now and wear the win: https://www.ambitionsport.com/product-category/sports-clubs/football-clubs/dover-athletic-fc/

Pre-Season 2025

Dover Athletic is gearing up for a thrilling pre-season campaign that promises a mix of top-tier youth talent, fierce local rivalries, and strong early tests ahead of the 2025/26 season.

One of the standout fixtures sees club legend Adam Birchall return to Crabble, this time in the dugout, leading Arsenal’s U18s in what is sure to be an exciting clash. Fans can also look forward to intense local derbies against Deal Town and Folkestone Invicta, while a testing away trip kicks things off against SCEFL Champions Faversham Town.

With seven friendlies in total – including home fixtures against Gillingham, Bracknell Town, and Margate -there’s plenty of opportunity to see the Whites in action before the season begins.

Pre-Season Fixtures:

  • Sat 5 July – Faversham Town (A) – 3:00pm
  • Tue 8 July – Gillingham (H) – 7:30pm
  • Fri 11 July – Deal Town (H) – 7:45pm
  • Sat 19 July – Arsenal U18s (H) – 3:00pm
  • Sat 26 July – Bracknell Town (H) – 3:00pm
  • Tue 29 July – Folkestone Invicta (H) – 7:45pm
  • Sat 2 August – Margate (H) – 3:00pm

Ticket Info

All home pre-season fixtures are priced at £10 for adults, £9 for concessions, Under-18s £5, with Under-11s going FREE with a paying adult. 2025/26 Season Ticket Holders enjoy free entry to all home friendlies.

Get behind the boys and kick off the season with us in style at Crabble!

Ticket Prices – 2025/26

Season Tickets

As always our season tickets are the most cost effective way to watch Whites play at home. Our Early bird offer runs from May until the end of June.

Paying a lump sum for season tickets makes them less accessible for some fans and we continue to have a facility to split the payment across 2 months (May and Jun) when purchasing online.  

You can order or renew your season ticket at our club shop (dafcdirect.com) now.

“Due to rising costs across the board—including travel, employment, utilities, and consumables—we’ve had to set prices slightly higher than in the 2023/24 season, when we were last in the National League South. We regret having to raise prices, but it’s a necessary step if we’re to remain competitive. We hope supporters understand the crucial role season ticket sales play in sustaining the club and giving Jake and the team the best possible chance of success. We urge supporters to buy their season tickets as early as possible so we can continue to plan for the season ahead” – Jim Parmenter

As always our season tickets also include pre-season friendlies.

Early BirdFull Price
Adult£299£364
Concessions – O60£276£341
Concessions – U18£75
Under 11FREE with AdultFREE with Adult

Block-of-5

Our block of 5 tickets are back again this season. An option for fans that can’t make every game, but are looking for a saving through a multi-buy offer.  

Adult£82
Concession£77

On the gate

Due to rising costs our on-the-day pricing has had to come in slightly above the 23/24 season when we were last at Step 2, but we hope that despite the price increase that fans will opt for an upfront commitment, whether that be a season ticket or Block-of-5. We hope that supporters will recognise the importance of these ticket sales in continuing to support Jake and the team for further success.

Adult£18
Concession – O60£17
Concession – U18£10
Under 11FREE

We will have further updates on Hospitality packages and the extra value they will provide coming very soon.

All season tickets can be purchased by the following options:

  • You can buy online HERE
  • Call the club office on 01304 822373 (option 2) to pay by card
  • Head up to the club office at Crabble between 9am-5pm (Monday-Friday) or on matchdays

Tickets are on sale now so support your club and renew your season or buy one today!