Category: First Team News

MATCH PREVIEW: DEAL TOWN VS DOVER

Whites are on the road for the first time in their pre-season campaign as they travel to Deal Town this evening, looking to continue preparations for the new season.

Andy Hessenthaler’s men started their pre-season in fine form, putting four past Ashford United thanks to a double from Ricky Miller and a spectacular finish by James Caton in the first half before Aaron Cosgrave completed the scoring in the second half.

Hessenthaler looks set to continue to look at trialists this evening to help bolster the squad after using two separate sides last Saturday, both including a mixture of contracted players and players on trial at the club.

Our hosts this evening are deep into their pre-season schedule, with tonight’s match being their final game at The Charles Ground until their season opener against Chatham Town on 31st July.

They have been impressive in their pre-season, scoring 21 goals in their 5 games, which includes 3-0, 5-0, 6-0, and 6-1 victories over Hythe Town, New Romney, Hawkinge and Lydd Town respectively. They have also had a 1-1 draw against Whitstable Town.

Admission Details

Adults – £5

Concessions – £3

Gates as well as the bar will be open from 6.30pm.

Last Meeting 

3rd July 2018 – Deal Town 1 – 5 Dover Athletic

Upcoming Pre-Season Fixtures

20th July – Deal Town VS Dover Athletic (7:30pm)

24th July – Dover Athletic VS Folkestone Invicta (3:00pm)

26th July – K Sports FC VS Dover Athletic (7:45pm)

31st July – Dover Athletic VS Stevenage (12:00pm)

3rd August – Whitstable Town VS Dover Athletic (7:30pm)

6th August – Dover Athletic VS Watford (7:30pm)

7th August – Tonbridge Angels VS Dover Athletic (3:00pm)

SNAP OF THE DAY

Photos from Saturday’s pre-season friendly win against Ashford United Football Club at Crabble are now online.
 
All the photos were taken by photographer Matt Bristow, who kindly donated his time and professionalism to us for free – thank you Matt, we really do appreciate your support of the club.
You can view the photos HERE

VIDEO: MANAGER REACTION

We speak to Andy Hessenthaler after the 4-1 pre-season friendly win against Ashford United at Crabble.

MATCH REPORT: DOVER 4 – 1 ASHFORD UNITED

Striker Ricky Miller scored twice in the first half of his return to Crabble as Whites put four past Ashford United in their first pre-season game.

Miller started the rout for the home side inside the first 10 minutes, before James Caton doubled Whites’ lead just after the half hour mark.

Whites’ number nine then doubled his tally and got Dover’s third towards the end of the half from the penalty spot, before second-half substitute Aaron Cosgrave slotted home the fourth.

Miller wasted little time in getting the home faithful singing his name again after he opened the scoring in the eighth minute after getting on the end of Travis Gregory’s cross into the box.

He almost doubled his tally shortly after, but his shot towards the near post was well saved by the Ashford goalkeeper.

Caton – also making his return to the club – doubled Whites’ tally with a superb curling effort from the edge of the area which gave the keeper no chance.

Whites were then awarded a penalty for handball, with the spot-kick being slotted home into the left corner by Miller.

He almost got his hat-trick with the last chance of the half, but his header was wide of the target.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler made 11 changes at half-time but Dover still looked lively, winning a penalty five minutes into the second half, but it was pulled wide by a trialist.

However, moments later Whites were 4-0 up as Cograve calmly placed the ball home to put the result beyond doubt.

Ashford did get a consolation midway through the second half, with their striker putting the ball past the trialist goalkeeper.

Chances were hard to come by after this, with the best one coming from a trialist who hit the post after a brilliant run.

Whites are back in action on Tuesday night as they travel to Deal Town.

MATCH PREVIEW – DOVER VS ASHFORD UNITED

We start our pre-season campaign this afternoon when we welcome Ashford United to Crabble.

Whites haven’t played a game since their 3-1 defeat to Yeovil in January, but with the new season now approaching, attention will turn to the future as match fitness will be at the forefront of everyone’s mind.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler will be looking to give minutes to the seven new signings already announced as well as a number of trialists as he looks to build a squad ready to face Solihull Moors in our opening game of the National League season at Crabble on August.21st.

Today’s visitors kicked off their pre-season campaign last weekend with a 5-1 victory away at Rochester United.

Not only will this kick-off Whites’ pre-season campaign, but it will also be the first time we have had fans at Crabble since March 2020.

Admission details

Season ticket holders will be able to gain access to the ground for free, whilst it’s £5 for adults

Under 11’s are free if they are accompanied by a paying adult.

COVID-19 restrictions remain in place at Crabble, so if you plan on attending the game please adhere to the following: 

  • Please use the hand sanitiser points around the ground during your visit
  • Please maintain social distancing and wear a face-covering when you are moving around the ground at all times unless you are exempt
  • Seats that can be only used have been marked with a green tick
  • The Centre Spot will only be offering table service
  • Please DO NOT attend the game if you or someone else in your household has COVID-19 symptoms

Whites’ Upcoming Pre-Season Fixtures

  • 17th July – Dover Athletic VS Ashford United (3:00pm)
  • 20th July – Deal Town VS Dover Athletic (7:30pm)
  • 24th July – Dover Athletic VS Folkestone Invicta (3:00pm)
  • 26th July – K Sports FC VS Dover Athletic (7:45pm)
  • 31st July – Dover Athletic VS Stevenage (12:00pm)
  • 3rd August – Whitstable Town VS Dover Athletic (7:30pm)
  • 6th August – Dover Athletic VS Watford (7:30pm)
  • 7th August – Tonbridge Angels VS Dover Athletic (3:00pm)

HANSON COMES HOME

We are delighted to announce that we have completed the permanent signing of former Hull City midfielder and local resident, midfielder Ryan Hanson.

Our new Number 25 played seven times while on loan with us from the then League One side last season.

The 20-year-old, a former Dover Boys Grammar School student, joined the Tigers in the summer of 2019 after being released by Crystal Palace, where he had spent five years.

He joined Palace after impressing while playing for the Dover Athletic under-13’s in a Kent League tournament.

Hanson started playing football for Dover Rangers when he was six and has also represented Dover District and Kent.

Welcome home, Ryan !!

If you would like to sponsor Ryan’s playing shirts for the 2021/22 season then please contact our Sponsor Relations Manager Richard Harvey at [email protected]

PHIZZ TEAM UP WITH US

Dover Athletic Football Club is delighted to announce that we have secured a two-year sponsorship for Phizz to be our official hydration partner.

The London-based brand will supply us with their unique effervescent tablet, which is scientifically formulated to be the most comprehensive blend of hydration, vitamins, and minerals out there.

The tablets rapidly hydrate the body up to three times more than water, replaces the electrolytes lost through sweat, and delivers a wide range of vitamins and minerals essential to recovery and health.

One glass of Phizz contains as much vitamin C as three oranges, more potassium than a banana, and as much zinc as a 600g bag of spinach, along with 17 other vitamins and minerals.

Phizz currently supplies more than 50 football clubs throughout the world including Liverpool, Burnley, QPR, Leeds United, Norwich, Southampton, Barnsley, Fulham, and Stoke City.

We are proud to say that we are the only National League club to be welcomed into the Phizz family.

Dover Athletic Sponsor Relations Manager Richard Harvey said: “Hydration is such an important component in maintaining high levels of performance – staying hydrated is key to playing at your best.

“Phizz tablets will help ensure our players stay well hydrated during training and on match days.

“I have been a huge fan of Phizz products since they first came on the market, so I am thrilled they have now teamed up with us.”

Phizz Head of Sport Yasmin Badiani said: “We are proud to announce our new partnership with Dover Athletic Football Club and look forward to working together and supporting the team through the coming seasons.

“Our science-backed formula is designed to provide the most comprehensive blend of hydration, vitamins, and minerals to fuel athletes from amateur to pro.

“As a young, British brand Phizz supplies over 50 professional sport clubs across the U.K. and around the world, and this arrangement proudly marks our second in Kent.”

Phizz will also be sponsoring a brand-new Dover Athletic ‘Phizz Goal of the Month’ competition, where the club’s fans will have the opportunity to vote for their best effort from all the previous month’s on-field action.

The club will be widely promoting the competition across its social media channels every month.

For more information about Phizz, please visit their website HERE

 

KICK-OFF FAST APPROACHING

Our pre-season campaign gets underway against Ashford United at Crabble on Saturday.

It is the first of eight warm-up games for Manager Andy Hessenthaler’s side, with the game against the Isthmian League South East Division side providing fans with a first chance to see newcomers Seth Twumasi, Reda Johnson, Jake Goodman, Ben Williamson, and AFC Wimbledon loanee Aaron Cosgrave in action.

The match could also mark the return to Crabble of striker Ricky Miller and midfielder James Caton after both re-joined the club last month.

Hessenthaler is also likely to use the game as an opportunity to cast his eye over a number of triallists as he continues to rebuild his squad ahead of our National League season opener against Solihull Moors at Crabble on August 21st.

Ashford United played their first friendly of the season on July 10th, winning 6-1 away at Rochester United.

Due to Covid-19 regulations, can we please ask you to adhere to the following:

  • Please DO NOT attend the game if you or someone in your household has Covid-19 symptoms
  • Please use the hand sanitiser points around the ground during your visit
  • Please maintain social distancing and wear a face-covering when you are moving around the ground at all times unless you are exempt
  • Seats that can be only used have been marked with a green tick
  • The Centre Spot will only be offering table service

Gates will open at 2pm before the game kicks-off at 3pm.

Admission is as follows:

Season ticket holders: Free

Adults: £5

Juniors (under 11) Free (must be accompanied by a paying adult)

FORWARD ARRIVES ON LOAN

Dover Athletic is delighted to announce the signing of forward Aaron Cosgrave on a season-long loan from League One side AFC Wimbledon.

The 21-year-old trained with his new teammates for the first time today.

Cosgrave, who came through the academy ranks at Colchester United after being at West Ham United as a schoolboy, will wear the number 11 shirt for manager Andy Hessenthaler’s side this season.

He joined the Dons earlier this month after impressing their manager Mark Robinson while spending time with his club at the end of last season.

You can read what Robinson had to say about our latest addition HERE

Welcome to the club, Aaron!

If you would like to sponsor Aaron’s playing shirts for the 2021/22 season then please contact our Sponsor Relations Manager Richard Harvey at [email protected]

 

LAST CHANCE FOR EARLY BIRD SEASON TICKETS!

Today is the final chance for supporters to purchase their Early Bird Season Tickets for the 2021/22 campaign.

This now represents the final opportunity to guarantee the best possible price for the next term – so  don’t miss out

To take advantage of this offer and save money, you now have to make your purchase by 5pm today.

Prices are:

Season ticket prices 

Early Bird Offer (must be purchased before July 9)

Adults £315

Over 60s £255

After July 9

Adult £340

Over 60s £280

Pay on the gate

Adult £18
Over 60 £15
Under 18 £9

We are also able to confirm that under-18 season tickets are also now on sale for £50

Under-11s will continue to get in for free with a paying adult for all league games at Crabble.

All season tickets can be purchased online from the club shop HERE

You can also contact the club office on 01304 822373 (option 2) for more details.

As always, we would like to thank all supporters who have already bought their season tickets and given us their backing for the upcoming campaign.

We can’t wait to have you all back in Crabble!

Support your club and renew your season ticket or buy one today!