Community News
Everyone at Dover Athletic is deeply saddened by the news that life-long supporter, Norman Clark, passed away last week after a period of ill health.
The 83-year-old was a regular at Crabble and was still traveling up and down the country in support of his beloved club on the Supporters Club Coach last season.
Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with Norman’s family and friends at this difficult time.
The Striker Lottery will resume on Wednesday 12th August after being suspended since March due to COVID-19.
Striker Lottery Manager, Harry Reid, said: ” The week numbers will continue from where we left off.
“The last draw was Week39, so the draw on the 12th August will be Week 40 – this is so the system will recognize the credit payments.
“Thank you for your support and patience.”
If you have any questions, you can email Harry at [email protected] or call him on 01304 822373 (option 4) and leave a message.
A huge thank you to all those supporters who have donated money to the GoFundMe page that was set-up to help support the club during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Organiser Jamie Parsons transferred an impressive £5078.28 to the club account last Friday and he’s hoping to add at least another £2000 to that figure in the future.
The page is still open to make a donation and you can find it here
The gesture is greatly appreciated by all of us at the club.
Jamie, who follows the club both home and away, said he was impressed with how his fellow fans got behind the idea to raise money for the club.
He said: “To be honest, I think it’s an amazing effort by each and everyone who has donated so far.
“These are difficult times for everyone and many people have their own concerns about finances, but they have still donated whatever then can – I think that shows just how much the club means to us all.
“Every little bit counts no matter how much you donate – keep it coming in and lets get through this together.
“COYW!!.”
The Striker Lottery has been suspended until further notice due to COVID-19.
Striker Lottery Manager, Harry Reid, said: “Given the current situation we are all in, we have found ourselves in a position where not only can our agents not collect from certain establishments (pubs, clubs, shops etc), but we cannot put our agents and customers in danger when collecting door-to-door.
“We have no alternative but to suspend the Striker Lottery until such time the all clear is given.
“Please do not worry if you are in credit as when we restart the total credit you had from week 40 will still be there in full.
“If you pay by Standing Order or Direct Debit you could ask your bank to suspend it and restart when we start back.
“However, if you leave it being paid into the Striker Account, it will be there when we commence again and you will be in credit and we can always then review the situation as to how we go forward.
“Please be assured you will not lose your money. The Striker account is separate to that of the Club and I will each week download the Standing Orders and Direct Debits at home and will therefor know exactly how much each member has in credit.
“We are not closing the Striker Lottery down, only suspending it due to the present situation, so thank you for your loyal support and please stay safe.”
If you have any questions, you can email Harry at [email protected]
We as a club would also like to thank all of those members who have donated their regular Striker Lottery payments to the football club as donations, while the lottery is suspended – the gesture is very much appreciated by us all at Crabble.
Whites’ fans might have noticed Dover players sporting some new training equipment in recent weeks.
Thanks to a £4,000 donation from the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club, presented to Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler and his first-team coaches Darren Hare and Nicky Southall prior to last Saturday’s National League match against Solihull Moors, Athletic’s management team have purchased 20 ‘Catapult’ GPS tracker vests.
The vests, used by 70% of Premier League and Football League sides, as well as 75% of National League clubs, will enable Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler and his team to assess the fitness of the squad.
Darren Hare said: “The vests will give us an indication of the distance players cover during games and will help us manage their workloads.
“It is so important to know if we are working the lads too hard or indeed hard enough during training, so the average workload statistics will help assess how we can help individuals prepare for matches and recover properly.
“They will also give us a distance per minute statistic to show us the effect of substitutes and their impact in matches, as well as help keep their fitness levels up.”
Athletic’s first-team coach concluded: “I would like to thank the Supporters’ Club massively for their kind support. The vests have added an extra dimension to the support and feedback the coaching staff can provide the players both in training and after matches.”
Stefan Milton says he doesn’t volunteer at Dover Athletic to win accolades – he does it because he loves it.
But the media team member couldn’t hide his pride when he was told he’d been named the National League Volunteer of the Month for September.
Stefan has been with the club since October 2016 and he plays a vital role in video editing match highlights and sending them to BT Sport, Scout 7 etc while at the ground every match day.
What makes his dedication even more special is that the 29-year-old has Metatropic dysplasia and is wheelchair-bound.
Stefan, who has missed just one game in his time with us, says he was thrilled to have won the award.
‘’It’s not why you volunteer, but it’s certainly a nice feeling to have won it,’’ the Manchester United and Kevin Lokko fan said.
‘’I think there are lots of other people at the club who deserve to win this award.
‘’We’re all one big team, contributing to the bigger picture, and I am so proud to be part of that.’’
The directors, management, players, staff, volunteers and supporters of Dover Athletic would like to congratulate Stefan on winning the award.
We are extreamly proud of Stefan and the work he does for the football club.
He always has smile on his face and we love having him as part of our important volunteer team.
There is so much work done behind the scenes that people don’t ever see, all on a voluntary basis, which all contribute to the successful running of this club.
Dover fans are being asked to support Kevin Webber’s magnificent walk this week.
Webber, ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK, arrived at Crabble on Friday afternoon after walking from Bromley Football Club to our home ground as part of the launch of the MANarama campaign.
His three-day journey started at Bromley on Wednesday and he also visited Welling, Dartford, Ebbsfleet and Maidstone during the challenge.
The football fanatic certainly enjoys a challenge. The torrential rain and wind battering the country is nothing – Let’s not forget in 2014 he was told he was likely to have two years left to live.
More than five years later the 54-year-old is still feeling like there are no life limits.
Webber will be officially ending his quest at Dover on Saturday.
“It’s quite fitting that I ended last season’s journey watching FC Halifax at home to Chesterfield and I will be doing the same this time with them down at Dover.
“Like last year, it’s not a fund-raiser as such, but every penny is always gratefully received.
“I hope a few people see me, take a second to have a chat and if one person goes to the doctor – or whose friend or family member is then encouraged to go to the doctor – then it’s all worth it.
“This is also about getting into clubs, and putting across the message of how important a trip to the doctor is and how speed is so crucial.
“If your club averages say 800 supporters, 100 will come into close contact with the disease. As things stand, 20 of them will die.
“That is a really big number of people. If we can go some way to getting that figure down by a little bit of raising awareness then it’s a fight we’ll win.”
Well done Kevin from all of us at the club!!
Whites have another team on board for the 2019/20 campaign in the form of ‘The Friends of Dover Athletic’.
The independent group, headed by supporters Paul and Debbie Harrison, will raise funds via various initiatives in order to directly support Dover during the course of the season.
The fundraising has already started in the form of a charity auction to add to signed home shirt raffle that took place during our final home game of the 2018/19 campaign.
There will also be a quiz night in the Centre Spot on Friday 27th September – Should you wish to book in a team, or have any fundraising suggestions of your own, please e-mail [email protected]
Entry to the general knowledge quiz is £3 per head with a maximum of eight participants per team.
You can also turn up and join a team on the evening.
The ‘Friends of Dover Athletic’ are starting an auction on Monday with some excellent items on offer.
To bid for one or more of the below goods, simply e-mail [email protected], including your name and a contact phone number.
You can also bid for your preferred item on home matchdays by seeing either Paul or Debbie Harrison at Crabble.
The auction will run from Monday 29th July until 5 pm on Saturday 14th September.
WATCH THE FIRST TEAM TRAIN – Reserve £50
Two people can visit King’s Hill to watch a first-team training session on a date to be agreed.
TWO VIP PLATINUM CLUB MATCH PASSES – Reserve £50
For a home match with admission to Crabble to be paid.
A PAIR OF RICKY MILLER SIGNED BOOTS – Reserve £100
TRANMERE ROVERS FRAMED PICTURE – Reserve £10
Presented to commemorate our first-ever competitive match at Prenton Park
KENT SENIOR CUP FRAMED PROGRAMME, PENNANT AND ENGRAVED WOODEN SHIELD – Reserve £25.
MARINE AFC PENNANT – Reserve £10
From our FA Trophy match at Crabble in 2018
RYMAN PREMIER WINNING SQUAD SIGNED PHOTO PLUS TROPHY – Reserve £20
RYMAN SOUTH WINNING SQUAD SIGNED PHOTO PLUS TROPHY – Reserve £20
Whites’ were given a financial boost on Thursday courtesy of the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club.
Supporters’ club chairman Vicky Chambers (Pictured with Dover Athletic Club Secretary Frank Clarke), handed over a cheque for £2,000, taking their total donations raised for Athletic to £5,850 during the course of the 2018/19 National League campaign.
The fund-raising is far from over and the Supporters’ Club are on the lookout for new members!
Visit www.dasc.co.uk for details on how to join, or follow them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/doverathleticsc) or Twitter (@DAFCClub).
