Category: Club News

ACADEMY AT IT AGAIN – YOUNGSTERS MARCH TO VICTORY

Youngsters excel at St Georges.

Following on from their National Youth League success, Mike Sandmann and his squad of impressive youngsters headed to the home of English football, St Georges Park, to play in the U18-21 VAR tournament. The competition was used as a training aid for Premier League referees, as they continue with the development of the VAR system.

It was a great experience and the academy return the trophy for the fourth year running. – Mike Sandmann

The young Whites won 6, drew 1 and lost 2 on their way to the final where they nicked the only goal in a 1-0 win, courtesy of a Tim Marapara winner. First team George Wilkinson, Luke Baptiste and George Nikaj were also involved in the competition with Nikaj claiming the golden boot. Tom Green scored what many consider to be the goal of the competition as the youngsters marched on to glory.

Mike Sandmann spoke of his delight following the team’s victory. ‘Really pleased for the group who showed great character over the two days. We played a total of 10 matches and there were some really tired legs out there for the final but you would have thought it was our first game and that’s credit to the character and mindset of the group. It was great to have some of our graduates back due to this being an U18/21 tournament and it’s always great for them to win a trophy and have a winners medal around their neck.

It was a great experience and the academy return the trophy for the fourth year running.’

Well done, lads.

5 SIGN AS BRUNDLE BOLSTERS SQUAD

Mitch Brundle adds to his squad.

Joshua Anifowose & Michael Olarewaju had their clearance from the National League and FA today to add to Mitch Brundle’s squad as well as three new additions from the Academy.

Anifowose has played for Oxford United in both League One and the Papa John’s Trophy with the 19 year old having featured for the u18’s, as well as Colchester United U21’s. Olarewaju had spent the beginning of last season with Cheshunt in the National League South before the defender headed to Wingate and Finchley, where he scored twice in 5 appearances.

Academy graduates Matty Holness, Henry Young and Archie Hatcher have been promoted to the first team squad, following their impressive performances last season in winning the National Youth League and also impressing the manager during pre-season.

This adds to the already signed George Wilkinson, George Nikaj, Luke Baptiste, Peter Ojemen and Imran Kayani.

Squad numbers are still to be decided so we will update these prior to the season commencing.

Welcome to Crabble, lads.

COYW.

COMMUNITY DAY & OPEN TRAINING SESSION

Come and get involved as we throw our first community day.

With the re-energised Community Trust team being assembled in the summer, we look forward to throwing our first community day of the season. Come along and see what fun and entertainment we will have at Crabble, with the added bonus of the first team completing an open training session, followed by an in house match. We would love to see some new faces as well as old, so why not bring a friend or family member, and come and take a look at what we will be doing this campaign. And best of all, admission will be FREE for all.

Following the first team training session there will be some live music in the Centre Spot with a chance to meet and greet the players and management team. Why not bring along something for them to sign?

The running order for the day will be as follows:

12-2pm – Inflatable Football Pitch supplied by the Football Fun Factory
Face Painting and Temporary Tattoo’s
A Shirt Raffle
Raffle to Win a Bucket of Booze.

Raffle tickets will be £1 each but the face painting and inflatable football is FREE and will be held on the community pitch behind the stadium.

2pm – First Team begin Open Training Session on main pitch
2.45/3pm – First Team in house match
4-6pm – Live Music from Turmoil, in the Centre Spot.

We hope to see as many of you there as possible.

COYW.

THE VOICE – IS IT YOURS?

The Whites are on the lookout for a volunteer PA announcer to join our team of announcers.

We are looking for a volunteer PA announce to work as part of the team covering matchdays works on a rota basis. Your role will be to read out the teams, goals, substitutions and any other announcements that you would normally hear on a matchday.

A free meal will be provided for the candidate.

For anyone interested in the position please contact [email protected]

2023/24 FIXTURES ANNOUNCED

We take a look at our 2023/24 schedule.

We kick off our 2023/24 campaign with Torquay United visiting Crabble on the opening day of the season. The Gulls will make the long trip east on August 5th to begin what will be another exciting season in the Vanarama National South. Notable dates for your diary are the Kent derbies against Maidstone United, which will be played in November (A) and March (H). The Christmas fixtures have us playing newly promoted Avely (H) Boxing Day and the reverse on New Years Day.

Our final game of the season will see us at home to the Glovers as Yeovil Town head to Crabble in what will no doubt be an important title decider for both teams. Leicester City were given odds of 5000/1 to win the Premier League in 2016 and if you want to put that into some context, the bookmakers that year were offering 3000/1 on Elvis Presley showing up and 500/1 that you would find the Loch Ness monster. So why can’t we dream, eh?

All dates are subject to change. We will update the website on all fixtures ASAP.

COYW

ARE YOU THE NEXT MOTSON OR TYLER?

We are looking for budding text commentators.

Do you attend Home & Away matches and fancy yourself as a budding text commentator? Could you see yourself as the Martin Tyler of Twitter Text? We are looking for volunteers who can help run the DAFC Live Tweets on matchdays. We already have a couple of people that help but are looking to expand and work it on rotation. If this is something you are interested in then drop me a line on [email protected]

Please note this is a volunteer position, although a negotiation on a burger could work.

COYW

BRUNDLE HOLMES IN ON RICKY

Ricky Holmes joins the Whites.

Mitch Brundle got his man as Ricky Holmes puts pen to paper on a deal to become Brundles Player – Assistant manager for the 2023/24 campaign. The midfielder/forward will add valuable experience to the squad as well as a good pedigree in coaching.

Holmes began his football career with Southend-based clubs before joining Chelmsford City in 2005. After a successful stint with the team, he moved to Barnet in 2010, where he scored his first goal that November. Despite a foot injury in January 2011, he went on to have a successful 2011–12 season. Holmes then signed with Portsmouth in 2013, followed by Northampton Town in 2015, Charlton Athletic in 2016, and Sheffield United in 2018 where he rejoined Chris Wilder.

Holmes signing for Sheffield United. Pic courtesy of Sheffield United Website

In 2018, he had loan spells at Oxford United and Gillingham. Holmes rejoined Northampton Town in 2020, signed with Southend United in 2021, and joined Farnborough in August 2021, where he spent two seasons, including a spell on the coaching staff.

Welcome to Crabble, Ricky.

*Subject to National League and FA clearance.

COYW

THE MIGHTY WHITES – KIT MAN ROLE

Kit Manager

Keeping our white home shirts clean can be a real challenge in the cold wet winter months! Do you have the skills to keep us Mighty White!?

We’re looking for a part-time kit manager to help keep our kit in order. Working upto 15 hours per week, you will be responsible for managing our first team kit, from washing and drying to transporting and preparing on matchday. You’ll be with the team both home and away, ensuring that they always have the right, pristine kit.

This role requires some work in the evening and at weekends.
You can apply for this role by sending your CV to:[email protected]

NO SUCH THING AS A FRIENDLY

Pre-Season schedule revealed.

With the National League confirming that the opening day of the 2023/24 campaign will begin on Saturday 5th August, we reveal our confirmed pre-season warm up matches.

Saturday 1st July – Aylesford (A) KO 13.00pm

Saturday 8th July – Gillingham (H) KO 13.00pm

Saturday 15th July – Folkestone Invicta (H) KO 15.00pm

Tuesday 18th July – Crawley Town (H) KO 19.45pm

Saturday 22nd July – Open Training Session* at the Megger Community Stadium. This will be incorporated as a community day with more details to follow.

Tuesday July 25th – Deal Town (A) KO 19.30pm

*Open Training Session will be free entry to all.

Games and times could be subject to change but we will let you know as soon as we get any information.

Gate Prices:

Adult £10

Over 60’s £9

U18’s £5

Season Ticket holders Free

U11’s with a paying adult Free.

There’s still time to get your Early Bird season ticket. The offer expires on Saturday 1st July. For more information click here Ticketing – DOVER ATHLETIC FC

DOUBLE AWARD WINNER RETURNS

Myles Judd returns to Crabble.

With the squad for the coming season now beginning to take shape, Gaffer Mitch Brundle was delighted to be able to get Myles Judd back through the door for his third year at the club. The no nonsense defender was voted the LFE Apprentice of the Year in 2016/17 while at Leyton Orient, where he starred for the O’s in League Two.

Awards were to follow Myles to Crabble where last campaign he won both the Andy Fisher shield for Away Supporters Player of the season and the Simon Harris shield for Supporters Player of the Season. The Simon Harris Shield was presented by Simons son. Judd then chose the Pilgrims Hospice as the recipient of the £200 cheque kindly donated by the Supporters Club. Looking back over recent history, there have not been many players who have received the award and stayed the following campaign, which is a sign that we are heading in the right direction again.