Category: Club News

Welcome Kenny Coker

Dover Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of striker Kenny Coker ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Forward Kenny played for Bowers and Pitsea and Billericay Town in his early youth, before making the step up to Southend United. He played Under 18 football for the Shrimpers and made a brief first team breakthrough before making a move to Norwich City, and was an Under 18 and Under 21 player for the Canaries. 

He spent time with Chelmsford City on loan before joining Cray Wanderers last summer. He made thirty three appearances for the Wands and scored six goals. He spent the remainder of the season with Cheshunt scoring 5 goals in 10 appearances.

Jake Leberl has said:

We’re delighted that Kenny has chosen to join us. He’s a traditional No. 9 with all the attributes you’d want — he can hold the ball up, win headers, run the channels, and score goals. He has good pedigree and fits our ethos as someone hungry to get back into full-time football. With interest from several other clubs, we’re absolutely thrilled he’s signed with us.

Welcome to Crabble, Kenny!

Welcome Harry Beadle

Dover Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of defender Harry Beadle ahead of the 2025/26 season.

The 22-year-old defender spent last season with Aveley in the National League South making 36 appearances and scoring 3 goals. He joined the Millers in 24/25 after being released by Colchester.

Beadle joined Colchester on a one-year professional contract in the summer of 2021, having been with Charlton Athletic’s academy.

He made his professional debut for Colchester in the 2021-22 season when he featured in their Papa John’s Trophy defeat to Gillingham. In May 2022, he signed a one-year contract with the U’s and has had loan spells at Braintree Town and Bishop’s Stortford, whom he played with in National League North.

Jake Leberl has said:

We’re delighted to welcome Harry Beadle to Dover. He was identified through our scouting network as someone who fits our ethos and brings strong pedigree, the right attributes, and valuable experience at this level. He also comes with glowing references from well-respected figures in the game. We’re pleased he’s chosen to join us and are confident he’ll settle in well with our tight-knit group.

Welcome to Crabble, Harry!

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.

Roman Charles-Cook Signs for 25/26

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

Roman Charles-Cook joined us in 23/24 from Sutton United’s academy after two loan spells at Cray Wanderers and Harrow Borough. Roman made 32 appearances for Dover in our last National League South campaign and was key at right-back during our Isthmian Premier Division promotion.

Jake Leberl has said:

We’re all delighted that Roman has agreed to stay. His talent is clear for everyone to see, and his performances at the back end of the season—when it really mattered—were well above the level. He has huge potential to go on and have a successful career in the game, so we couldn’t be happier he’s staying for another season.

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.

Ruben Soares-Junior Signs for 25/26

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

Ruben signed for Dover last season and was instrumental in our promotion success. He scored 25 goals and got 13 assists in all competitions, receiving Manager’s Player of the Season and Player’s Player of the Season. Before joining Dover Athletic Ruben played for Billericay and local rivals Folkestone Invicta. He’s previously featured for Tonbridge Angels, playing 37 National League South games – scoring 7 goals. His former clubs also include Scottish Championship side Queen of the South.

Jake Leberl has said:

“Absolutely delighted that Ruben is staying with us for another season. He played a huge part in our success, and I genuinely don’t think it could have worked out better for either side. We had a forward with every attribute you could ask for, a great personality, and a natural leader who everyone loves having around — while we gave him a platform to feel at home, valued and respected, and to consistently showcase his talent, which he certainly did.

For him to re-sign, especially with the interest he rightly received from elsewhere, shows just how far we’ve come in such a short space of time. But it also highlights the importance of continuing to grow and push on — to become an established National League club once again, capable of retaining and attracting players of Ruben’s quality and stature.

Huge thanks to the Chairman and the handful of local sponsors who stepped up to help make this happen — even though they’ve chosen to remain anonymous, their support has been vital.”

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.

Welcome Decarrey Sheriff 

Dover Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of striker Decarrey Sheriff ahead of the 2025/26 season.

The 27-year-old joins following a productive campaign with Billericay Town in 2024/25, where he made 49 appearances in all competitions and scored 10 goals.

Sheriff previously spent time at Eastbourne Borough, making 42 league appearances and scoring seven goals during the 2023/24 season in the Vanarama National League South.

Having begun his career at Colchester United, he gained valuable first-team experience through loan spells at Maldon & Tiptree, Dulwich Hamlet and Needham Market. After being released in 2019, he signed for Concord Rangers and made an immediate impact—scoring nine goals in 26 appearances.

A move to Kettering Town followed, where Sheriff played 83 times over three seasons and netted 13 goals before his switch to Eastbourne.

Jake Leberl has said:

We’re pleased to welcome Decarrey Sheriff — a player we’ve been tracking for a while and someone who was a target for us this time last season. He’s a forward who can play across the front line, beat defenders, and has real potential that I don’t think has been fully realised yet. He needs a club where he feels at home, where he’s respected and loved — much like others we’ve worked with and helped develop. I’m really looking forward to working with him. He’s got exciting attributes, great celebrations, and hopefully we can help unlock his full potential.

Welcome to Crabble, Decarrey!

We sit down with new signing Decarrey Sheriff as he shares his thoughts on joining Dover Athletic ahead of the 2025/26 season.

25/26 Kit Launch

Dover Athletic are delighted to reveal our new VX3 home and away kits for the 2025 / 2026 season.

Our new home kit stays true to Dover’s iconic look — clean white shirts paired with black shorts and socks. This season, the classic design is elevated with subtle cliff and sea-inspired patterns woven into the fabric, alongside refined blue detailing for a fresh twist. For our away kit, we’ve taken inspiration from the coastline — a bold blue-teal shirt with striking gold trim and matching shorts and socks. The same subtle coastal patterns run through both kits, carrying the spirit of Dover wherever we play.

A huge thank you to Megger, our front of shirt sponsors for the first team and The Mighty Kitchen who are front of shirt sponsors for our youth section.

The club shop will be opening tomorrow (Saturday) 10am-2pm for all our new gear. 

You can also purchase online at dafcdirect.com

Adult shirt – £46

Kids shirt – £39

Luca Cocoracchio Signs for 25/26

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

 Luca, a product of the Brighton and Hove academy and former Worthing man, joined Whitehawk in January 2023 and was part of their promotion winning side. Luca was an integral part of our promotion winning defence making 48 appearances in all competitions in 24/25.

Jake Leberl has said:

“We’d all like to welcome Luca back for another season. He played a huge part in our success last year, featuring in nearly every game. His versatility was crucial — equally comfortable in defence or midfield. He’s a talented, well-respected, and popular member of the squad, and I know he’ll be looking to push on even further this season.”

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 Nikaj Signs for 25/26

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

George is a product of the Dover Athletic Academy and made his first team debut during the 21/22 season in the National League. George has since made 51 National League South appearances and was named Away Player of the Season in 23/24. In our 24/25 promotion winning campaign he received the Dover Athletic Supports Club ‘Golden Boot’ award after netting 25 times in all competitions.

Jake Leberl has said:

“We’re delighted that George has agreed to sign for another season. After a few frustrating years, it was fantastic to see him hit the heights he did last season — he played a huge part in our promotion. What’s exciting about George, and many of the other lads who’ve re-signed, is that they’ll have learned so much from last season and still have plenty of room to grow. That’s something for us and the supporters to really look forward to, and we’re excited to continue the journey with George and this group.”

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.

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.