Manager Chris Kinnear has made his first summer signing with former Ross County striker Inih Effiong making the move to Crabble.

The 27-year-old Londoner made three appearances for the Scottish Premiership side after signing from Woking for an undisclosed fee in January.

Effiong joined Woking in May 2017 and scored on his debut in the 2-1 win against Gateshead on the opening day of last season.

He scored 10 goals for the Cards in 35 appearances before making the move to Scotland.

Before joining Woking, the 6ft 3ins Effiong played for Biggleswade Town in the Southern Premier League where he scored 23 goals in the first half of the 2016/17 season and that form earned him a move to Barrow AFC.

He started his career at St Albans City in 2008, and also had spells at Boreham Wood and Chesham United.

Welcome to Crabble Inih !!

Dover Athletic boss Chris Kinnear will welcome his players back for pre-season training next week – and there will be some new faces among them.

The Gaffer will run the rule over a number of trialists and he is also hoping he will have added to his squad before then although he admitted it is very much a waiting game at the moment.

He said: “We have spoken to a lot of players and we still have those in mind who we believe fit the bill as to what we need.

“Of course there are players out there, but it is vitally important to me that we bring the right ones in – that has always been my case.

“I know some fans get frustrated by not seeing us signing players but you have to get it right.

“However, it is that stage of the summer where players are holding off making a decision on their futures and trying to ensure they get the best deal possible which is understandable.”

As for seeing those who played for him last season, Kinnear said: “It will be great to see them all again and get back down to business because they know that the hard work starts now.”

Dover Athletic is thrilled to announce a new partnership with BLK United Kingdom for the 2018/19 season.

The deal sees the British-based company supply playing kit and training gear – all of which will have a bespoke design – for our squad and coaching staff.

BLK (Beyond Limits Known) will also be supplying a range of replica apparel for Dover fans to wear with pride which will be available from dafcdirect.com and the club shop in July.

Whites’ Director Steve Parmenter, said he was delighted to be working with the brand, which answers the needs of the modern athlete’s inspirations through technical, performance-led apparel and equipment, .

He said: “From day one BLK have engaged enthusiastically in the development of the partnership and kit offering.

“We believe fans and players alike will be very pleased with the new look bespoke kits.”

Dover joins a group of leading British sports teams supplied by BLK UK, including Premier League rugby union club and European Champions Cup winners Saracens, Scotland Rugby League and England Netball.

BLK UK made a breakthrough in supplying football teams with apparel last season when it was used by our fellow National League club, Hartlepool United.

Established by Kim Brant as a sportswear clothing brand in 2001 on the Australian Gold Coast, BLK is more than a name.

BLK provides apparel and equipment to more than 10,000 teams, including elite sporting and grassroots organizations, across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, United Arab Emirates and Oceania.

BLK UK is one of the fastest-growing sportswear brands in Britain and Richard Upshall, Chairman of RU Active, the UK, USA, Caribbean, GCC and Middle East licensee for BLK said: “Being originally from the South, and having such an affinity with the sea and a love for England, nothing epitomises that more than Dover and I feel privileged to know they have put their faith in RU Active in taking the BLK kit for their own, they’ll be blue skies over…

We will reveal the kit later this month – watch this space!!

Head groundsman Sid Fletcher aims to deliver a ‘pitch to be proud of’ as renovation work continues at Crabble ahead of the new season.

The old playing surface was ripped up in April and work on a new state-of-the-art hybrid pitch , a close season gift from Chairman Jim Parmenter and his wife Sally, started last month.

The new surface blends grass with plastic fibres, technology used at Premier League grounds.

This type of surface is more durable, less prone to flooding or freezing and due to the unique specification allows for more efficient grass growth as well as increasing playing comfort.

Fletcher, who will be at the helm for a fifth season, says all is going well with his new pride and joy.

He said: “I am really happy with the progress that has been made and the weather has not been too bad to us as well which really helps.

“It (the surface) had its first cut earlier this week and will be fed again this week too.

“The grass is growing upwards and now the key is to get it going outwards too to start thickening it up.

“All being well, it should have another cut soon and then have some lines cut into it – it will start looking like a football pitch then!

Striker Ryan Bird has confirmed this week that he will not be taking up the contract offered to him by the club.

The club wish to thank him for his efforts while at the club and wish him well for the future.

The date of our pre-season game away at Hythe Town has been changed from Tuesday, July 10th to Monday, July 9th.

Kick-off remains the same at 7.45pm.

The Club will proudly boast a state-of-the-art hybrid pitch in time for the 2018/19 National League season after a major refurbishment of the Crabble turf, a close season gift from Chairman Jim Parmenter and his wife Sally.

The new surface blends grass with plastic fibres, technology used at Premier League grounds.

This type of surface is more durable, less prone to flooding or freezing and due to the unique specification allows for more efficient grass growth as well as increasing playing comfort.

Kestrel Contractors, a leading UK-based pitch manufacturer, began work on the surface last month with the new pitch scheduled for completion in the coming weeks.

The Chairman said the new pitch could make all the difference in Whites’ promotion bid next season.

He said: “Admittedly players win you games but a consistent surface might give the squad a bit of an edge in home matches.

“It’s been harder to maintain the surface each year, but the relay will provide better drainage and irrigation, plus will be even more levelled out than it currently is.

“The new turf should be laid by the end of the week and it will take a couple months for the seeds to germinate and the grass to grow in time for pre-season.

“It means the first friendlies will be away from home, but supporters will get the chance to see the new surface in action before our league campaign starts.

“It will be a very tough, interesting and entertaining league next season and we will face some very difficult opponents.

“However, we will do our best to challenge at the top end of the table with one of the best pitches in the division.”

Details of those players retained and released ahead of the 2018/19 National League season are as follows:

Players already under contract:

Defenders Connor Essam, Josh Passley and Manny Adebowale, midfielder Mitch Brundle and forwards Jamie Allen and Tobi-Sho Silva.

Released:

Aziz Deen-Conteh (during the course of the season)

Players returned to their parent clubs on conclusion of their respective loan deals:

James Alabi, Kevin Lokko, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Ade Azeez  and Anthony Jeffrey

Negotiations are continuing between the club and the other players in the squad from last season and further news will be announced on this website once available.

Dover Athletic would like to place on record its thanks to all players departing for their efforts and commitment during their time at Crabble and we wish them every success in the future.