Category: Club News

BE A VIP AT GULLS GAME

Don’t miss your chance to get your ticket for our VIP Platinum Suite for our National League game against Torquay United this Saturday..

They will only be on sale until noon on Friday February 11th.

To see the match from the best seats in the house and to enjoy a very special experience costs £28 per person.

Please note that this price does NOT include entry for non-season ticket holders who do attend, and they will still need to pay on the turnstile on the day.

The experience includes:

  • Butler hosted lounge with large TVs and projector showing the game

  • A three-course meal, served at your table

  • Reserved undercover premium padded seating

  • Complimentary tea, coffee & mineral water, plus dedicated paid bar before and after the match

  • Complimentary matchday team sheet

Arrival at the ground should be at 1pm and food will be served at 1.30pm.

There are only 64 spaces available, so all tickets will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis.

The dress code is smart casual.

To buy your passes please email [email protected] or call the office on 01304 822373

We very much look forward to welcoming you to the suite soon.

RED CARD APPEAL REJECTED

Dover Athletic Football Club can confirm that the appeal against Myles Judd’s red card in the National League game at Stockport County on Saturday was unsuccessful.

The decision by The FA’s Regulatory Commission today (Tuesday) means that the 22-year-old defender will now miss our next three games against Torquay United, Notts County, and FC Halifax Town.

Judd was given a straight red card by referee Paul Marsden for his challenge on Macauley Southam-Hales eight minutes before half-time.

WINGER MAKES CRABBLE EXIT

Dover Athletic can confirm that Khale Da Costa has today left the Club by mutual consent.

The 28-year-old winger made 17 appearances in all competitions for manager Andy Hessenthaler’s side after signing in June 2021.

His last appearance for us was a second-half substitute in the 1-0 National League defeat against Southend United at Crabble last month.

Khale also made three appearances, scoring once, while on loan at National League South club Braintree Town last November.

All of us at the club would like to thank Khale for his efforts whilst with us and wish him the very best of luck in the future.

 

VIDEO: MANAGER REACTION

Andy Hessenthaler speaks to BBC Radio Kent after the 1-0 defeat at National League leaders Stockport County on Saturday.

MATCH PREVIEW – STOCKPORT COUNTY VS DOVER

Andy Hessenthaler and his squad are on their travels again as they head north to take on the National League leaders at Edgeley Park on Saturday.

The hosts are aiming for a club-record 10th successive win in all competitions this weekend.

LAST TIME WE MET

October’s meeting between the sides at Crabble saw Stockport win 5-2 – you can read the match report from that game HERE

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING?

You can read the Stockport preview of the game HERE

You can watch Stockport manager Dave Challinor preview the game HERE

TEAM NEWS

Danny Collinge is fit again and replaces fellow defender Sam Wood, who left the club on Tuesday, in the matchday squad.

Player/coach Reda Johnson (calf), Alex Green (ankle), James Caton (groin), Travis Gregory (knee), TJ Bramble (back), and Noah Carney (fractured toe), are still not available.

DOVER COLOURS

For fans heading to Stockport wanting to wear the same shirts as the players, we will be wearing our red kit.

COVERAGE

The game kicks off at 3pm but if you are unable to make the trip, BBC Radio Kent will be providing commentary HERE

MATCHDAY AND TICKET INFORMATION

You can get all the information you need HERE

SATURDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Aldershot Town v Barnet
Altrincham v Woking
Chesterfield v Dagenham & Redbridge
FC Halifax Town v Bromley
King’s Lynn Town v Weymouth
Maidenhead United v Eastleigh
Notts County v Grimsby Town
Torquay United v Wrexham
Yeovil Town v Solihull Moors

GOODMAN PULLS NO PUNCHES

Jake Goodman is under no illusions about how hard his debut season with Dover Athletic has been as he prepares for Saturday’s game at table-topping Stockport County.

The 28-year-old is a tough, no-nonsense central defender, so he’s had more than his fair share of battles in his playing career.

But the 6ft 2in former Millwall player admits the 2021/22 National League season is something completely different.

Goodman, who joined the club last summer after spending the previous season with National League South club Ebbsfleet United, said: “I’ve played a lot of football at this level, but nothing compares to this season.

“It is without a doubt so much better and tougher than ever before.

“You only have to look at the amount of money being thrown into promotion pushes by some clubs – it’s staggering, to be honest.

“It’s certainly not a level playing field – not by a very long way.

“You got full-time clubs going in every day working on plays etc and we have to do best we can with four hours split over two nights a week.

“We know we are up against it almost every week, but that’s the way it is this season.

“We’ve just got to get on with it as best we can.”

It is the first time Goodman, who signed professional terms with the Lions in 2012, has been a part-time footballer, so how is he coping with his new routine?

He said: “I had to get a second job for a start!

“I am lucky enough to have got a job in the game coaching kids at the Pro-Direct South London Academy.

“It’s great being able to put something back into the game while helping with preparations for life after my playing career is over.

“I’d like to stay in the game as a coach, so I am doing all my badges.”

Away from football, how does Goodman, whose CV includes playing for Bromley, Luton Town (loan), Aldershot Town (loan), Braintree Town, Maidenhead United, and AFC Wimbledon (loan), like to relax?

Our number six said he doesn’t need to leave the comfort of his own home to enjoy it.

“I became a father for the first time just over six months ago and it’s the best thing ever!

EASTER SOCCER SCHOOL

HAPPY FEET IS BACK!

Dover Athletic is excited to announce the relaunch of our Happy Feet Soccer School on March 5th.

The Happy Feet sessions will be run every Saturday at Crabble and last for one hour.

Qualified coaches will teach children between 5 and 16 years of age and of all levels and abilities.

Sessions are split by age group as follow:

5-10 years old from 9am until 10am

11-16 years old from 10.15am until 11.15am

The cost for all age groups is £4 per child, per session.

We would ask that you arrive 15 minutes prior to class for registration.

We look forward to welcoming all the youngsters back to Crabble soon.

HANSON UP FOR CHALLENGE

Ryan Hanson admits that being appointed Dover Athletic captain came with mixed emotions.

The 21-year-old midfielder has been named by manager Andy Hessenthaler as the man to succeed Sam Wood after the left-back left the club by mutual consent on Tuesday.

Hanson said: It’s an absolute incredible honour to be asked to lead this great club, one that I’ve supported since I was a child growing up in the town, but I am gutted Woody has left.

“He was such a big influence on and off the pitch – he will really be missed, but the decision he’s made was right for him and his family.

“Woody has had a fantastic playing career and when you are young like me, you cannot help but learn from someone with his experience. It has been great playing alongside him these past two seasons and I wish him all the very best for the future.”

As for being named captain, the former Dover Boys Grammar School student, who signed permanently for us in July 2021 after playing seven times while on loan from then League One side Hull City last season, said it was hard to explain what it meant to him.

He said: “It’s an honour to just play for my hometown club and proudly wear the shirt, so being made captain is, well, unbelievable.

“It’s a huge responsibility, but one I am determined to do by leading by example and giving it my all in every game.

“We’ve had a tough season – everyone knows that, but I want to play my part in helping this group of players to deliver each game for everyone who supports our club.

“We all know what a challenge we are facing on the pitch in this final stretch of the season, but we need to stick together and, as a team, lift each other up.

“If things aren’t going our way, we need to keep fighting no matter what happens – we’ve all got to show pride in the shirt.”

 

 

WOOD LEAVES CLUB

Dover Athletic can confirm that captain Sam Wood has today left the Club by mutual consent.

The 35-year-old left-back made 35 appearances in all competitions for manager Andy Hessenthaler’s side, scoring twice, since arriving in August 2020 after leaving fellow National League club Bromley.

His last appearance for us came in the 1-0 defeat against Southend United at Crabble last Saturday.

We would like to thank Sam for his efforts whilst with us and wish him the very best of luck in the future.

Midfielder Ryan Hanson will replace Wood as captain for the remainder of the season – many congratulations, Ryan!!

PAVEY LOAN EXTENDED

Dover Athletic are delighted to confirm that the loan deal of Maidstone United forward Alfie Pavey has been extended for another month,

The 26-year-old has scored four times, including the winner against Eastleigh last Tuesday, in his 10 appearances since arriving at Crabble in late November.

Great to have you staying, Alfie!