Category: First Team News

PRE-SEASON FIXTURE UPDATE

We are now in a position to confirm four more pre-season fixtures in preparation for the 2022/23 National League South season.

Premier League Brighton & Hove Albion will be sending a team to Crabble in July, while Andy Hessenthaler’s squad will also travel to Deal Town, Margate, and Folkestone.

Our home game against League 2 Gillingham was announced last week.

Ticket details for our home games and further friendlies will be confirmed in due course.

SCHEDULE TO DATE:

July 9th Gillingham (Crabble) at 1pm

July 12th Deal Town (away) at 7.45pm

July 16th Margate (away) at 1pm

July 20th Brighton & Hove Albion (Crabble) at 7pm

July 30th Folkestone (away) at 3pm

ACADEMY DUO SIGN

Dover Athletic are delighted to announce that Academy teenagers George Nikaj and Harrison Byford have signed their first professional contracts with the club.

The pair both got their first taste of senior football with manager Andy Hessenthaler’s side last season.

Right-back Byford, 18, made his debut after coming on as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 National League defeat at FC Halifax Town on March 12.

He went on to make a further five appearances.

Forward Nikaj, 19, made his senior debut as a second-half substitute in the 1-1 National League draw with Kings Lynn Town at Crabble on April 2.

He scored his first goal for the club in the 4-1 defeat against Woking at Crabble and made six appearances all up.

Byford and Nikaj join fellow Academy players Noah Carney, Luke Baptiste, and George Wilkinson in the senior squad.

Congratulations Harrison and George!!

VACANCIES: MEDIA VOLUNTEERS

Dover Athletic Football Club is looking for talented and passionate individuals to form our media team ahead of the 2022/23 season on a voluntary basis.

We have opportunities in a number of key roles, including matchday programme editor and club photographer.

Whatever your passion, whether it be writing, editing, social media, or photography we’d love to hear from you as soon as possible.

Key Responsibilities

Plan, produce and deliver content for all platforms including the club’s matchday programme, the club website, and all social media channels including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook etc.
Update statistics on the club website
Availability and willingness to volunteer regularly at unsociable hours, be able to commit to working weekends and evening matches, as well as travelling to away matches.
Conduct pre-match and post-match video or audio interviews with the club’s management and playing staff.
Create engaging content in the build-up to matchdays and on matchdays.
Doing the live text on match days
Writing match reports, match previews, and features for the club website/programme
Creating engaging video content for the club’s YouTube page.
Creating and editing graphics for club social media accounts.
Taking photos on matchdays

Skills & Experience

Desirable:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent organisational skills.
Excellent copywriting and proofing skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and/or Adobe Premiere.
Knowledge of working with WordPress

Other Information

Applicants must be over 18.

If you are interested, please email your CV and cover letter to [email protected]

VACANCY: PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Following George Ashby’s decision to leave the club at the end of the season, there is now a fantastic opportunity for a first-team physiotherapist at Dover Athletic

The club would like to place on record our sincere thanks to George (pictured) for his service while at the club and we wish him all the very best for his future.

The successful applicant will be required to attend all training sessions and all match days.

Roles & Responsibilities:

Provide medical care for all first-team players
Maintain an accurate and comprehensive database of treatment and work with all first-team players, including current medical status, medical notes, and recordings of rehabilitation or gym sessions
To provide the appropriate examination, assessment, and treatment of first-team players when required, including the referral to internal and external medical professionals
Developing and overseeing the development and implementation of prehab and rehab programmes for all first-team players
Work and communicate with other support staff within the club, including doctors/interns to provide an integrated approach to injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement

Required Education/Qualifications/Training:

BSc or MSc in Physiotherapy, Sports Therapy, or Sports Rehabilitation
FA Level 4 Intermediate Medical Management in Football (ITMMiF) (desirable or training towards)
A valid full UK Drivers License

Specific Experience & Person Specification:

A minimum of two years of previous experience working in the medical department of a professional football club is desirable
Experience working pitchside on a matchday at a professional football club
The ability to work effectively and safely, whilst working both independently and as part of a team
To be discreet and trustworthy, able to always adhere to confidentiality and data protection procedures
Hardworking and enthusiastic with a passion for football

To apply, please email your CV and cover letter to Chairman Jim Parmenter at [email protected]

WHITES TO HOST GILLS

Dover will welcome Neil Harris’ Gillingham to Crabble for a pre-season friendly on Saturday, July 9th at 1pm.

The former Millwall and Cardiff City manager was appointed boss in January but despite a valiant effort was unable to save the Gills from relegation to League Two.

More pre-season fixtures will be announced as and when they are confirmed.

VIDEO: MANAGEMENT REACTION

Manager Andy Hessenthaler and his assistant Nicky Southall spoke to BBC Radio Kent’s Matt Gerrard after the 2-1 National League defeat against Weymouth at Crabble on Sunday.

MATCH REPORT: DOVER 1-2 WEYMOUTH

By Alex Hoad

The National League chapter of Dover Athletic history came to a close – for at least one year, anyway – with a cruel defeat to Weymouth on the season’s final day.

Despite a barnstorming second-half performance which saw them hit the woodwork on four occasions, Whites were stung by a controversial late winner as the Terras snatched the points with a 2-1 win at Crabble which saw boss Andy Hessenthaler and midfielder George Wilkinson each shown the red card.

Keeper Alexis Andre saved a stoppage-time penalty from Tom Blair – awarded by referee Tom Bishop despite furious appeals for offside – only for Blair to turn in the rebound to break Dover hearts in the 95th minute.

The lively Brandon Goodship had already struck the inside of the Dover post when he stepped-up to fire the visitors ahead from the penalty spot inside 10 minutes after Danny Collinge was adjudged to have fouled Portsmouth loanee Haji Mnoga as he tried to clear the ball.

It was the 100th goal Dover have conceded in the National League this season.

Henry Woods flashed a low cross-shot across the face of goal before Andy Hessenthaler was shown a red card by the referee after his protests about a free-kick awarded against Michael Gyasi for an apparent shirt-pull on half-way on 16 minutes.

Woods saw an effort deflected into the arms of debutant Terras keeper Tommy Scott but despite some encouraging approach play from Gyasi and Arjanit Krasniqi there were no further attempts on goal before the break.

All that changed after the interval as Dover produced what was perhaps their best half of any match in any competition this season.

They flew out of the blocks like a changed side and Krasniqi saw a shot blocked almost immediately by Matt Buse while long-throws from Collinge and a succession of in-swinging corners from George Wilkinson and Krasniqi caused havoc in the Weymouth goalmouth.

Gyasi fizzed the ball across the six-yard box while Collinge saw a 20-yard strike destined for the top corner deflected just past the upright on 53 minutes.

The increasingly influential Gyasi and Luke Baptiste each saw an effort blocked and Collinge fired over from range before Andre Jr was called into rare action at the other end to stop a shot from Goodship just before the hour.

Scott tipped a swerving Krasniqi shot onto the crossbar with Baptiste unable to scramble in the looping rebound while the incessant pressure continued and Scott almost spooned Woods’ shot over his own shoulder and into the net, with Gyasi penalised for his attempts to force the ball over the line.

With 20 minutes remaining Gyasi picked the ball up on the left and drove inside before curling a powerful shot which thudded the base of the far post. He came even closer to a deserved goal four minutes later when sub Jack Nelson (pictured) latched onto a Woods through-ball and played a superb cross across goal where Gyasi recovered and curled a higher shot against the same post from an angle.

The bombardment eventually paid off 15 minutes from time when Jake Goodman flicked on another Collinge long throw and Nelson was lurking at the back post to head home his first Dover goal to spark great scenes in the River End.

Whites could smell blood in the water and Gyasi saw another attempt blocked by Buse and later fired in a low cross which Scott did well to hold at his near post, while with five minutes remaining the imperious Collinge rose highest to meet a Wilkinson corner only to see his header hit the crossbar.

Wilkinson went into the book after appearing to poke the ball away to thwart a Weymouth counter-attack with three minutes of normal time remaining and he was refused treatment and ordered onto his feet by referee Mr Bishop after going down with apparent cramp in the box in the dying seconds.

It was Wilkinson who conceded the crucial penalty deep into the four added minutes, adjudged to have hauled down Blair, despite frenzied appeals from his teammates for an offside in the build-up.

Andre Jr flung himself to his right to deny sub Blair, only for the big forward to tuck home the loose ball to seal Weymouth’s first win in 15 matches, and first on their travels since October, and deny Dover the point they deserved as a bare minimum.

After the final whistle the players and fans joined together in a period of mutual appreciation as the curtain came down on this challenging campaign which nobody associated with the club will ever forget.

Dover: Andre Jr, Moses, Goodman, Ransom, Woods, Collinge, Byford (Nelson 64’), Wilkinson, Baptiste (Nikaj 86’), Krasniqi, Gyasi. Subs not used: Bexon, Wratten, Agbebi.

Scott, Greenwood, McBurnie, Goodship (Bearwish 83’), Mnoga, Robinson, Mampala (Blair 82’), Murray, Buse, Harfield, Carlyle. Subs not used: Mussa, Ash, Bruton.

NEW MAJOR SPONSOR ANNOUNCED

Dover Athletic Football Club is delighted to announce it has agreed a new three-year sponsorship deal with Dover-based Megger Group, effective immediately.

Megger, Dover’s third biggest private sector employer, has agreed to support the 39-year old club for three years on a rolling contract for an undisclosed amount.

The agreement is welcomed by the football club, which has battled with results this season and was relegated to National League South in March.

Megger has been looking for the right opportunity to support the town in a substantial way for several months and when the company, that manufactures electrical testing equipment and digital solutions, met club chairman Jim Parmenter, it was an immediate match.

“This is a great investment in a talented and proud football club that is going through change but has a big future,” said Mr Parmenter.

“We are very grateful to Megger for giving us their support and seeing the enormous potential in our wonderful club, that has faced several challenges this season. Our players, coaching and support staff and loyal supporters will be delighted.”

While struggling this season, the club has depth and talent in its playing group, covering the first team, Academy and DAFC’s thriving youth teams. At youth level, the club fields teams in every group from under-13s to under-18s, and this is a successful feeder to the senior team.

The youth teams have notched up notable successes this season, and coaching and mentoring young people is a pillar of the club’s ethos, says Parmenter.

“Megger’s sponsorship also provides funding for community activities that keep many young people in the town focused on sport and nutures a love of football, which of course helps the club and builds our fan base,” he added..

Chief executive of Megger, Jim Fairbairn, said: “We wanted to help the local community and had been searching for the right fit, especially that reflects our own values of people, passion and place. Helping Dover Athletic FC is a perfect match, and ticks all the boxes we wanted. We are committed to a three-year partnership and we expect the deal to be of great mutual benefit to both DAFC and Megger as we promote our brand.”

Fairbairn hopes that more people in Dover and Kent will learn more about what Megger does, and about wider engineering, from the association.

As part of the arrangement, Megger employees will have discounted season and Megger can run corporate hospitality events at the club.

Megger is an international company, with eight production sites and 42 service and sales offices globally, and has manufactured high tech testing products in Dover for 50-years.

The original company was founded in Acton, London in 1889. It has sites in the US, Germany, Sweden and Israel and is acquiring complimentary businesses as part of a five-year growth strategy.

DAFC will play in the National League South in the 2022/23 season.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler said he was delighted that the club’s immediate future was assured and that the National League South is a level the club will be able to compete at.

MATCH PREVIEW: DOVER VS WEYMOUTH

Whites face fellow relegated side Weymouth in our final National League game of the season at Crabble today.

The Terras, who will finish the season one place above Andy Hessenthaler’s side, arrive in Kent on the back of a 2-1 defeat against visiting Barnet last Saturday.

LAST TIME WE MET

The last time the two sides met ended in a 1-1 draw in front of the BT Sport cameras at The Bob Lucas Stadium last September.

Koby Arthur’s stunning long-range effort gave Andy Hessenthaler’s side the lead in the 23^rd minute.

The Terras equalised thee minutes before half-time when Josh McQuoid slid the ball past goalkeeper Adam Parkes.

Match Stats

Weymouth: Fitzsimons, Cordner, Goodship, Robinson, McQuoid (Bearwish 77′), Mussa, Ash, Brooks (Morgan 90′), Murray, Harfield, Olomowewe

Subs not used: Thomson, Neild, Bruton

Dover: Parkes, Bramble, Williamson, Gregory (Da Costa 86′), Twumasi, Cosgrave (Miller 77′), Ransom, Woods, Tiensia, Arthur (Wood 81′), Collinge

Subs not used: Bexon, Goodman

Attendance: 1,028

LEADING SCORER

Captain Josh McQuoid is leading the way with seven goals in the National League this season while Bradley Ash and Brandon Goodship are both three behind him.

McQuoid will miss the game due to a shoulder injury.

NATIONAL LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

07/05 Weymouth 1-2 Barnet

02/05 Southend United 1-1 Weymouth

26/04 Weymouth 2-4 Solihull Moors

TEAM NEWS

Defender Myles Judd will miss the game due to the knee injury he sustained in the 2-2 draw at Bromley last Saturday.

Young forward George Nikaj has recovered from illness and is back in the matchday squad as is Marshall Wratten who missed the trip to Bromley due to a family bereavement.

Otherwise it is the same squad that made the trip to Hayes Lane last Saturday.

COVERAGE

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

We will also have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for this game can be purchased at the turnstile only.

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £18

Over 60 – £15

Under 18 – £9

Under 11s free with paying adult

P&O Ferries employees who were recently made redundant, together with their partners and children, can get in for FREE.

All the details can be found HERE

PROGRAMME

You can download your digital matchday magazine for the game HERE

LAP OF APPRECIATION

The manager, his staff, and his players will do a lap of appreciation after the game before heading to the Centre Spot

SUNDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Aldershot Town v Wealdstone
Altrincham v Yeovil Town
Barnet v Bromley
Boreham Wood v Solihull Moors
Chesterfield v Woking
Dagenham & Redbridge v Wrexham
Eastleigh v Grimsby Town
Maidenhead United v Notts County
Southend United v Torquay United
Stockport County v FC Halifax Town

LAP OF APPRECIATION ON SUNDAY

Manager Andy Hessenthaler, his first-team coaching/backroom staff, and the playing squad will complete a lap of appreciation following our final National League game of the season against Weymouth at Crabble on Sunday.

All would like to thank you, our loyal fans, and show their gratitude for the tremendous support the team has received both home and away during this campaign.

After the players change, they will all head to the Centre Spot where Jake Goodman will be presented with The Supporters’ Club Player of the Year award before Chairman Jim Parmenter makes a major announcement.

Please join us.