Dover Athletic are delighted to confirm that Roman Charles-Cook has been retained ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Now entering his fourth season with the club, Roman has already made more than 100 appearances in White despite still being only 22 years old.

The defender joined Dover during the 2023/24 campaign from Sutton United’s academy, having previously gained senior experience during loan spells with Cray Wanderers and Harrow Borough.

Roman quickly established himself as a regular at Crabble, making 32 appearances during the club’s 23/24 National League South campaign before playing an important role at right-back as the Whites secured promotion from the Isthmian Premier Division.

He made a further 42 appearances last season, underlining his consistency and importance to Jake Leberl’s squad.

Roman will now continue his journey with the club as preparations build towards the new National League South season.

Don’t miss your chance to sponsor Roman this season. Home £100, Away £90, Home and Away £180. To purchase, please contact the office by phone on 01304822373, or alternatively pop into reception on a matchday.

Dover Athletic are delighted to confirm the signing of defender Trent Rendall.

The versatile defender arrives at the Megger Community Stadium with considerable experience across both the National League and National League South.

Rendall began his career in Arsenal’s academy before joining Queens Park Rangers in 2014. During his time at QPR, he gained senior experience through loan spells with Eastbourne Borough, Gloucester City, Eastleigh and Braintree Town.

He joined Dagenham & Redbridge in the summer of 2024 and went on to make 33 appearances in the National League during his first season with the Daggers. Rendall remained with the club following their relegation and featured 23 times in the National League South last season.

A strong and physical defender, Rendall has previously highlighted leadership and communication as two of the key qualities he brings to a side. He now becomes the latest addition to Jake Leberl’s squad ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Welcome to Dover Athletic, Trent!

(Subject to FA clearances)

Don’t miss your chance to sponsor Trent this season. Home £100, Away £90, Home and Away £180. To purchase, please contact the office by phone on 01304822373, or alternatively pop into reception on a matchday.

Dover Athletic are delighted to confirm that academy goalkeeper Lewis Bartlett has signed a first-team terms ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Lewis has featured throughout pre-season, gaining valuable experience alongside the senior squad and continuing his development under Jake Leberl and the first-team coaching staff.

The young goalkeeper has impressed with his performances, attitude and commitment, earning the opportunity to make the step up from the Dover Athletic Academy.

Lewis will wear the number 13 shirt this season and provide cover for Mitch Walker as he continues his progression within the first-team environment.

His promotion is another positive example of the pathway being created between the Academy and senior football at Dover Athletic.

Don’t miss your chance to sponsor Lewis this season. Home £100, Away £90, Home and Away £180. To purchase, please contact the office by phone on 01304822373, or alternatively pop into reception on a matchday.

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.

Dover Athletic were handed a demanding pre-season test as League Two side Gillingham claimed a 3–0 victory at the Megger Community Stadium. Goals from Harris, Dayal and Gale secured the win for the visitors, although the final score did not fully reflect a disciplined defensive performance from the Whites.

Jake Leberl’s side were placed under pressure from the opening exchanges as Gillingham began the contest at a high tempo. The visitors launched a quick counterattack following an early Dover free-kick, with Baptiste forced to bring down the advancing runner as Gillingham threatened to break through. Another foul in midfield followed shortly afterwards as the visitors continued to control possession and push Dover back.

Dover’s first promising opening arrived after 10 minutes when Sheriff looked to race onto a ball through the Gillingham defence, but a well-timed challenge from the visitors’ number eight prevented the forward from getting a clear sight of goal.

Gillingham took the lead three minutes later. A misplaced Dover pass was collected on the left-hand side by Harris, who drove forward, created space and curled an excellent finish into the bottom corner beyond Walker.

The goal allowed the visitors to settle further into the contest, with Dover spending much of the opening half defending inside their own territory. Walker gathered a low effort from Albarus after Theodore had advanced down the right and worked the ball into the midfielder, while Baptiste attempted to force an opportunity at the other end after the Gillingham goalkeeper spilled possession. The Dover forward committed fully to the challenge but was penalised for a foul.

Bakrin and Beadle then combined effectively to halt another Gillingham attack as the visitors continued to search for a second goal. Gillingham were forced into an early change after 27 minutes, with Booth replacing Dack, but the alteration did little to disrupt the visitors’ rhythm.

Theodore fired narrowly wide after a blocked effort fell kindly inside the Dover half, before another Gillingham attempt drifted away from the target as the pressure continued. Although the Whites remained limited going forward, Leberl’s side defended with determination and kept the deficit at one.

Walker was called into action again in the closing stages of the half, reacting sharply to tip a deflected effort over the crossbar. The Dover goalkeeper then produced another impressive stop moments later, diving well to hold Booth’s headed effort following a cross into the penalty area.

Gillingham thought they had doubled their advantage shortly before the interval when Palmer-Houlden found the net following a corner, but the assistant referee raised the flag for offside. Dover therefore went into the break trailing by a single goal, with the Whites having remained organised despite long spells of Gillingham possession.

Gillingham made wholesale changes at half-time, fielding an almost entirely different side for the second period, while Booth remained on the pitch.

The visitors doubled their advantage six minutes after the restart following an unfortunate defensive error from Dover. A soft back-pass was intercepted by Dayal, who kept his composure and guided the ball beyond Walker from the left side of the penalty area.

Dover responded by making their first changes on the hour. Jallow and Wilkinson were replaced by Williams and a Trialist, before Salami entered the action in place of Onu two minutes later. Salami immediately provided Dover with an additional attacking threat and went close to reducing the deficit midway through the half.

The forward collected possession outside the penalty area, turned and struck from distance, with his floating effort travelling narrowly over the crossbar. Dover made two further substitutions after 72 minutes, with Oyenuga and Sheriff making way for two Trialists.

Gillingham remained dangerous and almost added a third when Hale found space inside the Dover penalty area, but his scuffed effort rolled wide of Walker’s right-hand post. The visitors did eventually score their third goal with 12 minutes remaining.

Little delivered a corner-kick towards the far post, where Gale arrived late and produced an excellent volley across goal and into the opposite corner. Jadama and Bartlett were introduced for Beadle and Walker during the closing stages, giving both players valuable pre-season minutes.

Despite the three-goal deficit, Dover continued to push for a consolation and nearly found one in the 87th minute.

Williams showed good awareness to lay the ball into the path of a Trialist, who opened his body and attempted to curl an effort towards the far corner. The shot travelled narrowly wide, with MacLorg rooted to the spot.

That proved to be the final opportunity of the evening as Gillingham completed a comfortable victory in their opening pre-season fixture. For Dover, the match provided another valuable opportunity to build fitness and test themselves against Football League opposition ahead of the new National League South campaign.

Dover Athletic

Walker (Bartlett 83), Oyenuga (Trialist 72), Ezenwanne, Trialist, Beadle (Jadama 83), Bakrin, Jallow (Trialist 60), Wilkinson (Williams 60), Baptiste, Sheriff (Trialist 72), Onu (Salami 62).

Gillingham — First Half

Holtam, Theodore, Dobbs, Gordon, Smith, Harris, Albarus, Waldock, Trialist, Dack (Booth 27), Palmer-Houlden.

Gillingham — Second Half

MacLorg, Gale, McKenzie, Beckles, Brophy, Khumbeni, Little, Dayal, Hale, Goodwin, Booth (Webster 62).

Attendance: 537.

Dover Athletic continued their positive pre-season preparations with a 3-1 victory over Cray Wanderers at the Megger Community Stadium. Goals from Decarrey Sheriff, Luke Baptiste and Euan Williams saw the Whites come from behind after Ade Yussuf had given the visitors an early lead from the penalty spot.

Played in bright sunshine at Crabble, the contest began with plenty of physicality as both sides competed strongly in midfield during the opening exchanges. Cray were handed the first major opportunity after seven minutes when Adaja was brought down inside the Dover penalty area. Yussuf stepped forward and confidently converted the resulting spot-kick to give the visitors an early advantage.

The away side almost added another shortly afterwards when a wide free-kick was met inside the Dover box, but the resulting header drifted wide of Mitch Walker’s post. Dover’s response was swift, however, and the scores were level after 14 minutes. Sheriff reacted well to latch on to a ball played over the Cray defence before keeping his composure, rounding the goalkeeper and finishing into the empty net.

The Whites began to take greater control following the equaliser, enjoying a sustained spell of pressure and forcing a couple of corners. Kola Salami was given the chance to drive into the penalty area, although the forward was unable to keep the ball in play.

A hydration break followed midway through the half as the sun continued to shine across Crabble.

When play resumed, Rolando Onu caused problems down the flank, beating his man before cutting the ball back towards Salami. Cray recovered well and did enough to prevent the Dover forward from getting a shot away. The hosts continued to move the ball confidently around the edge of the penalty area, putting together an impressive passing move without managing to apply the finishing touch.

Dover’s pressure eventually produced a second goal in the 34th minute. Sheriff won a free-kick in a dangerous central position and Baptiste stepped up to take responsibility. The midfielder struck a low, curling effort beyond the wall and into the bottom corner, completing Dover’s turnaround and giving Jake Leberl’s side a 2-1 lead.

Baptiste attempted to repeat the trick five minutes later from another set-piece, but his second effort cleared the crossbar.

Cray remained a threat on the counterattack and went close to an equaliser shortly before half-time. Good link-up play between Yussuf and Ola Ogunwamide released Alex Hernandez, whose dipping strike flew narrowly past Walker’s left-hand post.

Dover therefore entered the interval with a deserved 2-1 advantage, Sheriff having cancelled out Cray’s early penalty before Baptiste’s free-kick put the Whites ahead.

Nazir Bakrin replaced Harry Beadle at the break, while a trialist was also introduced in place of Salami.

The visitors started the second period brightly and Walker was required to produce an excellent diving save five minutes after the restart. Ogunwamide found space to shoot, but the Dover goalkeeper reacted sharply to push the effort around the post for a corner.

Cray continued to create several half-chances as the hour mark approached, although Dover defended well and restricted the visitors to efforts from distance and difficult positions.

Leberl made a number of changes after 63 minutes, introducing Jalen Jones, Euan Williams, Enyinnaya Ezenwanne and several trialists as the manager continued to give minutes to his squad.

Jones was quickly involved in the attacking area, meeting a delivery at the back post and heading the ball back across goal, although there was not enough power behind the effort to trouble the goalkeeper. Williams was then presented with an opportunity to round the Cray keeper, but the visitors recovered in time to prevent a clear shot at goal.

Cray remained competitive and sent an effort over the crossbar with 12 minutes remaining, but Dover looked increasingly comfortable as the match entered its closing stages.

The Whites secured the victory in the 83rd minute when Williams added the third goal. The midfielder found the net to cap an encouraging second-half appearance and give Dover a two-goal cushion.

Academy goalkeeper Bartlett replaced Walker between the posts shortly afterwards, before George Wilkinson made way for an academy trialist in the final minutes.

Two minutes of additional time were played, but there was to be no further scoring as Dover completed another valuable pre-season test with a 3-1 victory.

The Whites return to action at Crabble on Tuesday evening when they welcome League Two side Gillingham.

Dover Athletic

Starting XI: Walker, Oyenuga, Trialist A, Beadle, Trialist B, Jallow, Wilkinson, Baptiste, Sheriff, Onu, Salami.

Substitutes: Bartlett, Trialist C, Bakrin, Jones, Ezenwanne, Williams, Trialist D, Trialist E, Trialist F.

The wait’s over, the 2026-27 fixture list is here, and every Dover Athletic game can be in your pocket in seconds.

Sync the full fixture list for The Whites straight to your phone’s calendar, and it stays up to date on its own. When a game moves, your calendar moves with it, so you’ll always have the right date, the right time, and a reminder before kick-off.

How it works

It takes about ten seconds:

1. Tap the button to open the Dover ECAL.
2. Choose your calendar – Apple, Google or Outlook – and confirm the sync.
3. That’s it. Every fixture lands in your calendar, and keeps itself current all season.

Sync to Calendar

No app to download, no re-subscribing. Set it once and you’re sorted from the first whistle to the last.

Fixtures out. Calendar synced. See you there!

https://ql.e-c.al/445LnSn

The 2026/27 Enterprise National League South season gets underway on Saturday 8 August, with Dover Athletic beginning the new campaign away to Billericay Town.

Our first home fixture follows a week later when we welcome Slough Town to the Megger Community Stadium on Saturday 15 August, before Tonbridge Angels visit Crabble for the first Kent derby of the season on Tuesday 18 August.

There are plenty of Kent derbies to look forward to throughout the campaign. We face Folkestone Invicta away on Boxing Day before welcoming them to Crabble on Easter Monday. Our meetings with Maidstone United take place at home on Saturday 2 January and away on Saturday 3 April, while we host Ebbsfleet United on Monday 28 December before travelling to Stonebridge Road on Friday 26 March. Tonbridge Angels visit Crabble in August, with the return fixture taking place away on Tuesday 9 March.

The festive period promises to be particularly exciting, with three consecutive Kent derbies. The Whites travel to Folkestone Invicta on Boxing Day, host Ebbsfleet United two days later and then welcome Maidstone United to the Megger Community Stadium on Saturday 2 January.

Our final away fixture of the regular season takes us to Hemel Hempstead Town on Saturday 17 April, before the campaign concludes at home against Truro City on Saturday 24 April.

The full schedule can be found below. All dates and kick-off times are subject to change, and we will update supporters with any amendments as soon as they are confirmed.

COYW!

DOVER ATHLETIC – ENTERPRISE NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH

Sat Aug 8 – Billericay Town (A)
Sat Aug 15 – Slough Town (H)
Tue Aug 18 – Tonbridge Angels (H)
Sat Aug 22 – Weston-super-Mare (A)
Sat Aug 29 – Braintree Town (H)
Mon Aug 31 – Chesham United (A)

Sat Sep 5 – Maidenhead United (H)
Tue Sep 8 – Dagenham & Redbridge (A)
Sat Sep 12 – Farnborough (A)
Sat Sep 26 – AFC Totton (H)

Sat Oct 10 – Dorking Wanderers (H)
Sat Oct 17 – Walton & Hersham (A)
Sat Oct 24 – Salisbury (A)
Tue Oct 27 – Chelmsford City (H)
Sat Oct 31 – Farnham Town (H)

Sat Nov 7 – Torquay United (A)
Sat Nov 21 – Horsham (H)
Tue Nov 24 – Hampton & Richmond Borough (A)
Sat Nov 28 – Truro City (A)

Sat Dec 5 – Hemel Hempstead Town (H)
Tue Dec 8 – Billericay Town (H)
Sat Dec 19 – Slough Town (A)
Sat Dec 26 – Folkestone Invicta (A)
Mon Dec 28 – Ebbsfleet United (H)

Sat Jan 2 – Maidstone United (H)
Sat Jan 9 – Dorking Wanderers (A)
Sat Jan 16 – AFC Totton (A)
Sat Jan 23 – Farnborough (H)
Tue Jan 26 – Hampton & Richmond Borough (H)
Sat Jan 30 – Horsham (A)

Sat Feb 6 – Torquay United (H)
Sat Feb 13 – Farnham Town (A)
Mon Feb 15 – Chelmsford City (A)
Sat Feb 20 – Salisbury (H)
Tue Feb 23 – Dagenham & Redbridge (H)
Sat Feb 27 – Braintree Town (A)

Sat Mar 6 – Weston-super-Mare (H)
Tue Mar 9 – Tonbridge Angels (A)
Sat Mar 13 – Maidenhead United (A)
Sat Mar 20 – Chesham United (H)
Fri Mar 26 – Ebbsfleet United (A)
Mon Mar 29 – Folkestone Invicta (H)

Sat Apr 3 – Maidstone United (A)
Sat Apr 10 – Walton & Hersham (H)
Sat Apr 17 – Hemel Hempstead Town (A)
Sat Apr 24 – Truro City (H)

Fixtures are subject to change.
Compiled in association with Atos.

Margate 0-1 Dover Athletic
Pre-Season Friendly
Hartsdown Park
Saturday 4 July 2026

Dover Athletic began their pre-season schedule with a 1-0 win over Margate at Hartsdown Park, as Rolando Onu’s first-half header proved enough to settle the Whites’ opening summer test.

On a warm afternoon up the Kent coast, Jake Leberl’s side were given their first run-out of the 2026/27 campaign, with a mixture of senior players, new signings, academy lads and trialists all getting valuable minutes.

The opening stages were scrappy, with neither side able to take control in the first quarter of an hour. The ball struggled to settle and clear chances were at a premium as both teams looked to find their rhythm after the summer break.

Dover, however, struck with their first real moment of quality. Decarrey Sheriff delivered a deep cross from the right-hand side which drifted over the Margate goalkeeper and towards the back post, where Onu was waiting to head the ball over the line and give the Whites a 1-0 lead.

The goal sparked Dover into life and they quickly began to take command of the contest. Nazir Bakrin went close almost immediately after the opener, heading just wide from a corner, before Onu again threatened from another set-piece as Dover continued to dominate in the air.

Bakrin also made his presence felt at the other end, producing a crunching challenge to halt a Margate counter-attack as the hosts looked to respond.

The Whites continued to look the more dangerous side as the half progressed. Onu saw an effort blocked in the goalmouth after another Dover attack, while Luke Baptiste almost produced a spectacular second when he attempted to lob the Margate goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Sheriff was heavily involved during a strong spell before half-time. First, he forced the Margate keeper into a sharp save with a stinging strike, before seeing a volley inside the box kept out moments later as Dover pushed to extend their lead.

Margate’s best opportunity of the half arrived just before the break, but the hosts scuffed an effort wide as Dover went in at half-time deservedly ahead.

Leberl made changes for the second half, with another group of players given the opportunity to build minutes. The tempo of the game dipped after the restart, with the warm conditions contributing to a slower second period.

A Dover trialist showed a good burst through midfield early in the half but was unable to release the final ball, while new signing Kola Salami caught the eye with a lively cameo, driving into the area and looking to make things happen in the final third.

With the sun beating down at Hartsdown Park, the referee called for a hydration break midway through the half, and the game became more stretched as both sides made changes and tired legs began to show.

John Oyenuga delivered a dangerous cross as Dover searched for a second, while Margate threatened briefly on the counter late on, only for the move to end with a tame shot that failed to seriously trouble Mitch Walker.

There was also a late opportunity for two young academy players to gain experience, replacing Walker and Bivesh Gurung in the closing stages.

In the end, Dover saw the game out comfortably to begin pre-season with a clean sheet and a win.

The Whites are back in action next Saturday, when Cray Wanderers visit Crabble for Dover’s first home pre-season fixture of the summer.

First half squad:
Mitch Walker, Roman Charles-Cook, Nazir Bakrin, Trialist A, Trialist B, Harry Beadle, Bivesh Gurung, George Wilkinson, Decarrey Sheriff, Rolando Onu, Luke Baptiste.

Second half squad:
Mitch Walker, John Oyenuga, Trialist C, Jalen Jones, Enyinnaya Ezenwanne, Trialist D, Bivesh Gurung, Trialist E, Trialist F, Kola Salami, Luke Baptiste.

Dover Athletic Football Club are delighted to announce that Luke Baptiste has agreed terms to remain at the Megger Community Stadium for the 2026/27 season.

A product of the Dover Athletic Academy, Luke made his first-team debut during the 2021/22 season in the National League and has since gone on to become a key part of the Whites’ squad.

He made 40 appearances last season and is now closing in on 200 competitive appearances for the club, underlining his continued importance and consistency in a Dover shirt.

Don’t miss your chance to sponsor Luke this season. Home £100, Away £90, Home and Away £180. To purchase, please contact the office by phone on 01304822373, or alternatively pop into reception on a matchday.