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

Dover Athletic are pleased to welcome towering centre-half Jalen Jones to the club. Standing at 6ft 7in, Jones arrives after an impressive 2024/25 season with Oxford City, where he made 38 appearances and scored four goals. A product of Crystal Palace’s academy (and coached by Mike Sandmann), Jones has previous spells at Worthing, Braintree, Cray Wanderers, and Aveley. Internationally capped 14 times for Guyana he is known for his aerial dominance and composure on the ball. Jones adds significant strength to Dover’s back line as Jake Leberl’s side prepares for the season ahead.

Jake Leberl has said:

Delighted to have Jalen Jones with us for the upcoming season. He’s an imposing centre-half who’s dominant in both boxes and brings plenty of Step 2 experience, while still being at a great age with his best years ahead of him. Mike’s previous work with Jalen was a big factor in helping us bring him here, especially with the number of other options he had. If Jalen can settle into the culture we’ve created, we believe he’ll play a big part in what promises to be an exciting season.

Don’t miss your chance to sponsor Jalen 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 announce the signing of Momodou Jallow ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Dover Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of 22-year-old midfielder Momodou Jallow. A versatile and energetic player, Jallow arrives from FC Marlow, where he developed into a powerful presence in midfield after initially joining as a left-back. Known for his strength on the ball and ability to cover ground, he offers both defensive solidity and forward drive. His early career saw spells with Boreham Wood, Tooting & Mitcham, Fleet Town, Hartley Wintney and Dulwich Hamlet.

Jake Leberl has said:

We’re pleased to welcome Momodou Jallow to our squad for the season. He’s another young player who fits perfectly with our ethos. Recommended by a few of our lads and @nonleaguechance, he’s come in for pre-season and more than held his own. Strong, athletic, and versatile, he’s already experienced men’s football in non-league and is a player we’re really looking forward to seeing grow and develop. Once he settles in and finds his confidence, we’re sure he’ll make a real impact. I’m sure you’ll join us in welcoming Momodou to Dover Athletic for the exciting season ahead.

Don’t miss your chance to sponsor Momodou 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 announce the signing of forward Rolando Onu ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Rolando, a Dover Athletic Academy graduate, spent time at Loyola Maryland University after completing two years at Eastern Florida College.  Rolando spent three very successful years in the Academy, winning National League Youth Player of the Year. He was also part of the team winning the Champion of Champions, Premier League VAR Tournament, and the Kent Academies Cup. Rolando returned to the UK this year and featured in our Kent Senior Cup game against Welling before signing for Faversham Town and going on to win the Southern Counties East Football League.

Rolando will spend the season dual-registered with Sheppey United.

Mike Sandmann has said:

We’re pleased to welcome Rolando back — another player who came through our Academy before graduating to America, where he spent four years developing his game. Rolando has had several opportunities to return to the States, but we’ve kept in regular contact and are delighted he’s chosen to continue his journey with us.

He’s a player with huge potential and a fantastic character, and we’re confident he’ll keep improving as he settles back into football in England. To support his development, it’s important he plays regular football, so we’ve arranged a dual registration with Sheppey United. Rolando will continue training with us and could feature throughout the season, while also getting valuable game time at Sheppey.

Dover Athletic Football Club are proud to announce that Academy graduates Essa Jadama, Tristan Holden, and Jake McCarthy have signed first-team terms ahead of the new season.

All three players will continue their development under the club’s guidance while gaining valuable senior football experience through dual registrations. Essa and Tristan will link up with Whitstable Town, while Jake will join Sutton Athletic for regular first-team football. Alongside this, all three players will train regularly with Dover and remain available for cup fixtures throughout the campaign.

Essa is a composed, left-footed centre-back. Jake is a dynamic left-back, and Tristan brings energy and strength in the defensive midfield role. Each of them has impressed during their time in the Academy and continued to progress during pre-season.

This is another clear example of the strength of the club’s Academy pathway and Dover’s commitment to promoting young talent into the first team. We’re looking forward to seeing how all three develop over the coming months.

Academy Manager and First Team Assistant Manager Mike Sandmann has said:

I couldn’t be prouder to see another three players graduate from our Academy into the first-team set-up.

These lads have trained with us regularly over the past season and throughout pre-season. They each have huge potential, but more importantly, they’ve shown the attitude and character needed to continue progressing with us.

Stepping up a division makes it even harder for young players to break through as first-team regulars, so it’s important they gain regular senior football experience while continuing to train and develop with us. We’re pleased to have secured dual registrations for them to ensure they get the best possible opportunities for their development.

We’re looking forward to seeing how they progress with their dual-registration clubs, and when the time is right, we’ll have no hesitation in bringing them into the first-team squad.

Once again, this highlights the strength of our youth system and reinforces our commitment to developing and promoting young players. Last season, with an average squad age of just 22, we showed how important and impressive young talent can be.

The Whites are looking for a Matchday Ball Coordinator to join our matchday team.

As a Matchday Ball Coordinator, you will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of football matches by managing the supply, condition, and availability of footballs. This behind-the-scenes role supports the team and officials by making sure all match balls are ready, properly inflated, and available throughout the game.

Volunteers are a vital part of Dover Athletic, and we truly appreciate the time and dedication given to helping the club operate smoothly on matchdays.

If you’re interested in joining the team, please get in touch with jim.parmenter@doverathletic.com.

Key Responsibilities:
– Prepare and inspect match balls before kickoff (check pressure, cleanliness, and condition). – Distribute footballs to designated areas (e.g., ball boys/girls, officials).
– Retrieve and rotate balls during the match as needed.
– Assist with post-match collection and storage of all footballs.
– Maintain a basic log of football usage and report any damaged or missing items.
– Support the equipment team with other light duties as required.

Skills & Attributes:
– Reliable and punctual with good attention to detail.
– Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions.
– Able to follow instructions and work as part of a team.
– Interest in football or sports operations is a plus.
– Physically able to move around the pitch area and carry light equipment.

What You’ll Gain:
– Experience in sports event operations.
– Opportunity to be part of a passionate football community. – Behind-the-scenes access to matchday activities.
– Volunteer certificate and references upon request.

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

The left-back started his career with Sheffield Wednesday, where he made a significant impact in the U18 and U21 teams. Fuad made 3 appearances in our last National League South campaign before rejoining us at the start of the 24/25 campaign. Fuad was ever-present down the left-flank and made 49 appearances for the Whites during our successful Isthmian season.

Jake Leberl has said:

“I’m delighted we’ve agreed terms for Sesay to stay with us this season. He had a tremendous campaign last year, played a big part in our success, and I’m looking forward to working with him again and seeing him progress even further.”

Don’t miss your chance to sponsor Sesay 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 continued their pre-season schedule in emphatic fashion on Friday night, sweeping aside Deal Town with a ruthless 6–0 victory at the Megger Community Stadium. It was a dominant display from the Whites, with goals from Ruben Soares-Junior (2), Alfie Matthews, George Nikaj, Luke Baptiste and Decarrey Sheriff capping a confident team performance in front of 876 supporters.

From the opening whistle, Dover looked lively. A long throw from Harry Beadle created the first chance of the match on 9 minutes, falling to Alfie Matthews who fired over. Deal showed some composure during a bright spell midway through the half, pressing high and forcing a smart save from Mitch Walker on 31 minutes.

But it was Dover who broke the deadlock on 35 minutes. Matthews slipped a clever through ball into the box and Ruben Soares-Junior made no mistake, finishing calmly to make it 1–0.

The Whites quickly built on their lead. Two minutes later, Mampolo broke forward and went close, before Matthews capped another flowing attack with a clinical finish in the 39th minute. The third came just before the break, as George Nikaj capitalised on a poor backpass to dink the ball over the onrushing keeper.

Dover made a number of changes at the break, including the introduction of Luke Baptiste – who made an instant impact, heading home Dover’s fourth just two minutes after the restart.

Walker picked up a yellow card shortly after for a foul outside his area and was replaced on 58 minutes by Claudio Boakye-Sarfo. Further substitutions followed, but the tempo remained high – and so did the goal tally. Soares-Junior bagged his second of the evening on 57 minutes with another tidy finish, taking the score to 5–0.

Deal had few answers to Dover’s pace and precision but did force a good save from Boakye-Sarfo on 66 minutes. George Wilkinson came close to adding a sixth, rattling the crossbar from distance on 72 minutes, while Baptiste continued to cause problems with his direct running.

The final goal came in the 90th minute – a fitting end to a one-sided contest – as Decarrey Sheriff slotted home from close range following another slick attacking move.

Starting XI:
Mitch Walker, Henry Lukombo, A Trialist, B Trialist, Harry Beadle, Luca Cocoracchio, Ryan Hanson, Alfie Matthews, George Nikaj, Francis Mampolo, Ruben Soares-Junior

Subs:
Claudio Boakye-Sarfo, D Trialist, Luke Baptiste, George Wilkinson, Kenny Coker, Decarrey Sheriff, Max Fiddes, Roman Charles-Cook

Report by Joe Scott

Robbie McKenzie’s strike late in the first half was the difference as the Whites were narrowly beaten by League Two outfit Gillingham in their second showing of pre-season. 

It was the newly promoted National League South side who made the brighter start to proceedings on a fine summer’s evening as Jake Leberl named three trialists in the starting eleven featuring across the back line and midfield.

It was the familiar faces at the top end of the pitch who were central to the Whites’ early pressure however. Last season’s playoff hero Ruben Soares-Junior looked lively early on as he looked to stretch the Gills backline following a throw up the other end of the pitch before Luke Baptise earned Leberl’s men the first corner of the game.  

George Nikaj also tried his luck from the halfway line after spotting Jake Turner off his line but his audacious attempt was wide of the mark. The first real chance of the match did fall the way of the home side as a quick one-two between Nikaj and Alfie Matthews found the former with a shooting opportunity inside the box but his effort was comfortable for Turner.

It wouldn’t be long before the Whites had yet another effort on goal as Nikaj turned provider for Matthews this time.  His deflected effort almost caught out Turner in the Gillingham goal but the Gills stopper was able recover and make the save. After a quiet twenty minutes in the Dover goal, Mitch Walker would finally be called into action as his smart save denied Bradley Dack from close range.

The Whites still had plenty of chances of their own as Nikaj again forced a save out of Turner on the half hour mark before a Soares-Junior and Matthews linked up well with the latter curling a shot over the bar. The visitors did almost find a breakthrough just prior to the interval as Jake Leberl’s men were caught off guard by a quick free kick only for Henry Lukombo to recover well and foil the dangerous attack.

It would be a set-piece that undone Dover’s bright start as a free-kick swung in from the left found Robbie McKenzie unmarked at the back post. The former Hull City man would make no mistake in dispatching past Walker to give Gareth Ainsworth’s men the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Both sides would struggle to recapture the intensity of the first half as Jake Leberl named ten changes to his side. Only Henry Lukombo survived the mass exodus at the interval. Opportunities were few and far between but the best chance of the half for Leberl’s men would come after a spell of sustained possession from the visitors as Luca Cocoracchio couldn’t convert George Wilkinson’s corner at the back post.

The away side would have the better of the chances without testing Claudio Boakye-Sarfo in the Dover net. Seb Palmer-Holden came closest to adding a second goal to the game as he volleyed narrowly over the bar from a deep cross from the right. The visitors almost doubled their advantage but Joe Tennent’s superbly timed challenge at the death kept the scoreline as it was.

The 2025/2026 season gets underway on Saturday 9 August across all three divisions in the Enterprise National League.

The 46 match days are split across 33 weekends, 10 midweeks and four Bank Holidays (August Bank Holiday, Boxing Day, Good Friday and Easter Monday) for all three divisions.

We kick off our 2025/26 campaign at home. We welcome AFC Totton on the opening day of the season on August 9th to begin what will be an exciting season in the Enterprise National League South.

Notable dates for your diary are the Kent derbies against Maidstone (Fri Dec 26 A & Fri Apr 3 H), Tonbridge Angels (Sat Oct 4 A & Tue Mar 10 H) and Ebbsfleet (Tue Dec 30 & Mon Apr 6 A). Our final game of the season will see us at home against Chesham United.

Full scheduled below. All dates & times are subject to change, we will update the website on all fixtures ASAP. COYW!

Sat Aug 9 AFC Totton H

Sat Aug 16 Bath City A

Tue Aug 19 Eastbourne Borough A

Sat Aug 23 Salisbury H

Mon Aug 25 Torquay United A

Sat Aug 30 Maidenhead United H

Tue Sep 2 Dagenham & Redbridge H

Sat Sep 6 Farnborough A

Sat Sep 20 Hampton & Richmond Borough H

Sat Oct 4 Tonbridge Angels A

Sat Oct 11 Chelmsford City H

Sat Oct 18 Chippenham Town A

Tue Oct 21 Dorking Wanderers H

Sat Oct 25 Worthing A

Sat Nov 1 Hemel Hempstead Town H

Tue Nov 4 Horsham A

Sat Nov 8 Enfield Town H

Sat Nov 22 Weston-super-Mare A

Tue Nov 25 Hornchurch A

Sat Nov 29 Slough Town H

Sat Dec 6 Chesham United A

Sat Dec 20 Eastbourne Borough H

Fri Dec 26 Maidstone United A

Tue Dec 30 Ebbsfleet United H

Sat Jan 3 Torquay United H

Sat Jan 10 Dagenham & Redbridge A

Sat Jan 17 Bath City H

Sat Jan 24 AFC Totton A

Tue Jan 27 Horsham H

Sat Jan 31 Hemel Hempstead Town A

Sat Feb 7 Worthing H

Tue Feb 10 Dorking Wanderers A

Sat Feb 14 Enfield Town A

Sat Feb 21 Weston-super-Mare H

Tue Feb 24 Hornchurch H

Sat Feb 28 Slough Town A

Sat Mar 7 Hampton & Richmond Borough A

Tue Mar 10 Tonbridge Angels H

Sat Mar 14 Chippenham Town H

Sat Mar 21 Chelmsford City A

Sat Mar 28 Salisbury A

Fri Apr 3 Maidstone United H

Mon Apr 6 Ebbsfleet United A

Sat Apr 11 Farnborough H

Sat Apr 18 Maidenhead United A

Sat Apr 25 Chesham United H

Dover Athletic Announce The Mighty Kitchen as Major Sponsor for 2025–2026 Season

Dover Athletic are happy to announce that The Mighty Kitchen will be a major sponsor for the club in the 2025–2026 season and are the new front of shirt sponsor for our Youth Section teams.

The Mighty Kitchen is part of the NewsTeam Group of companies, who has supported the club in the last couple of years. Known for their innovation in the plant-based food sector, The Mighty Kitchen brings with it a fresh energy that aligns with the club’s own forward-thinking approach and commitment to sustainability and community.

In their efforts to remain a proactive part of the Dover community in the most effective way possible, NewsTeam Group has agreed for The Mighty Kitchen to take over its slot as the second sponsor, whilst remaining committed to helping and growing its impact on the club in the best way possible.

Dover Athletic would like to thank NewsTeam Group for their continued support, and we look forward to building a strong and successful relationship with The Mighty Kitchen as we head into the new season.