Category: First Team News

HESS OFFERS SECOND CHANCE

When a player gets released from an EFL club, it often feels as though their professional footballing dream is done and dusted – manager Andy Hessenthaler fully understands the hurt that can bring.

However, the Dover Athletic boss wants to prove that is not always the case and show that there is still a life in the game for someone whose been shown the door further up the footballing pyramid by hosting an invitational-only trial match on June 2nd.

Hessenthaler said: “It’s never easy letting players got but unfortunately that’s part of the job and part of making decisions for the club you are employed as a manager.

“Football is a tough, tough business and it can be very cruel at times – that’s why I want to see if we can give anyone a second chance now.

“A lot of players call Kent home, so this is an ideal time for them, or anyone else keen to make the move to the south-east, to come along and show me what they’ve got and what they are about before the summer break.

“I can’t make any promises, but they will all get the chance to impress, and who knows, if they have the desire, hunger and ability to bounce back from getting released, well, this could be a perfect opportunity for them.

“I know that this is different to how its been done in the past, but we need to explore new ways of bringing players into the club and this is one such initiative – it is about being proactive.

“I look forward to hearing from those keen to get this chance.”

If you want to take part in the game, please send your playing CV to [email protected]

It needs to include information such as; date of birth, contact number, email address, playing position, and clubs previously played for.

If invited to trial, we will make contact with you and send you all the details.

 

 

 

 

 

PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

We are now in a position to confirm a number of pre-season fixtures in preparation for the  2021/22 season.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler and his players will open the new season against Ashford United at Crabble on July 17 at 3pm.

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

SCHEDULE:

July 17th Ashford United (home) at 3pm

July 20th Deal Town (away) at 7.30pm

July 24th Folkestone (home) at 3pm

July 31st Ebbsfleet United (home) at 3pm

August 3rd Whitstable Town (away) at 7.30pm

August 7th Tonbridge Angels (away) at 3pm

 

OFF-FIELD APPOINTMENT MADE

Dover Athletic is delighted to confirm the appointment of Richard Harvey as the club’s new Sponsor Relations Manager.

Richard is already well known to many at the club through his roles as Kit Manager and Managing Editor of the Media Team, roles he has played over the past four years, and ones he will continue to do.

In his new role, Richard will be taking the lead on the club’s duties, forging links with the club’s loyal sponsors and supporters whilst utilising his experience to build new relationships within the town and surrounding areas.

Chairman Jim Parmenter said: “During his time with us, Richard has proved to be a highly motivated individual who is always doing his best for the club in whatever role he plays.

“He has a wealth of experience working in professional sport throughout the world and he has a willingness to succeed.

“He already has plenty of great plans on the drawing board, including a Sporting Legends Golf Day and a Charity Football match at Crabble in which fans will get the opportunity to play against Manager Andy Hessenthaler’s Dover Athletic Invitational team.

“We all know that the club is facing a difficult time off the field and we need all the support we can get, but we want to be positive and forward-thinking as we strive to do things a little better, each day.

“We are delighted to have Richard working with us in this role now and if you want to be a part of this building process, one that unites us as a community, we want to hear from you.

“We have a wide range of packages to suit all budgets, ensuring there is an option to suit any business or supporter regardless of size.

“We look forward to working with you.”

You can contact Richard to discuss all the opportunities we have available at [email protected] or call him on 07476 212120.

FUNDRAISING UPDATE

Dover Athletic would like to acknowledge the tremendous continued support for a fundraising appeal initiated by one of our fans, James Pearce.

James started a JustGiving page after the club was given a 12-point deduction for next season and fined £40,000 for not fulfilling fixtures by an independent panel commissioned by the National League.

The amount raised stands at just shy of £6,000 today and we would like to thank each and every supporter for their donation.

The JustGiving page link is here

COYW!!

RETAINED AND RELEASED LIST

Dover Athletic manager Andy Hessenthaler has today announced his retained and released list.

The following first-team players are out of contract and have left the club:

Yusif Mersin, Josh Passley, Will De Havilland, Jack Munns, Kurtis Cumberbatch, Paul Rooney, Joe Bedford, Oscar Gobern, Steven Rigg, Bilel Hinchiri, Ahkeem Rose, Omar Mussa, Marvel Expiteta, Louis Collins, Ade Azeez.

The following out-of-contract players have been offered new deals: 

Sam Wood, Travis Gregory

The club has exercised an option to extend the following players contracts:

Josh Bexon, TJ Bramble, Marshall Wratten

Hessenthaler admitted making the decisions he had was always a difficult part of the job

“First and foremost I would like to thank each and every one of the players leaving the club for their efforts in what was an unprecedented season.

“I cannot speak highly enough of their attitudes and their commitment during what was an extremely difficult time for us a club.

“It is never an easy time for any manager, informing players they are being let go – it’s tough, but my job is to make these decisions however hard they might be.”

The club would like to place on record its thanks to those players who will not be with us going forward for their efforts and we wish each and every one of them every success in the future.

 

 

 

GRAND DAY PLANNED AT CRABBLE

CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

Dover Athletic Chairman Jim Parmenter has tonight opened up on the situation the club currently finds itself in and the tough challenges ahead.

He said: “I would like to provide supporters and the many well-wishers who have contacted the club, with an update regarding our appeal against sanctions imposed by the National league and preparations for next season.

“For obvious reasons, I am unable to provide any detail around the substance of our appeal, which now looks unlikely to take place before mid-June but suffice to say we have appointed Queen’s Counsel to represent us at the hearing.

“I must pay tribute to and thank both Sean Gorman and Simon Tovey of the Outset Group Maidstone for their legal and practical advice, which quite frankly has been superb.

“It has been freely given, extremely thorough and without them, we could not have come this far and all our supporters should be extremely appreciative of what they have done for our club and we are as confident as we can be that we have a just and indisputable case.

“Our local MP Natalie Elphick is also on the case and I understand representations will be made at the Ministerial level as well as with Tracy Crouch’s inquiry into football governance.

“I am extremely heartened by all the messages of support from all over the country as well as the football media’s vocal support.

“I would also like to thank from the bottom of my heart all those people from far and wide who have contributed to the JustGiving page that has been set up by one of our fans.

“With regard to next season, Hess (Andy Hessenthaler) will continue as Manager and obviously, we will be starting in a compromised position (regardless of the appeal outcome.

“We will not be able to compete financially with the big rich clubs in the league, but we are planning an ‘alternative approach’ because the financial madness which is prevalent in our league currently is not sustainable and is destroying the game aided and abetted by the hopeless administrative structure at our level.

“What we will need as a club is for the whole town and district to come together to help us regroup and show the establishment that we will not be bullied.

“We stand united for what is right and just and we will not be cowed.

“So, please, recruit a friend, make a purchase from the shop, buy a season ticket when the time comes, sponsor us in some way, but most of all please come to the games and cheer the team on.

“Let us show the world of football that the people of Dover really do care about their club.

“Let us show football there is a better way!

“In the meantime, please keep safe and get your jab when the time comes.”

APPEAL TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CLUB

Dover Athletic would like to say a huge thank you to all those people who have donated to a fundraising appeal initiated by one of our fans, James Pearce.

James started a JustGiving page after the club was given a 12-point deduction for next season and fined £40,000 last week for not fulfilling fixtures by an independent panel commissioned by the National League.

As a club, we can assure you that we need every penny we can get at this time as we appeal the decision.

The JustGiving page link is here

We thank you one and all for your continued support.

COYW!!

CHAIRMAN’S RADIO INTERVIEW

Dover Athletic Chairman Jim Parmenter provided an update to supporters during an interview on BBC Radio Kent Sport on Saturday afternoon following Friday’s announcement by the National League.

We were given a 12-point deduction for next season and fined £40,000 for not fulfilling fixtures by an independent panel commissioned by the National League.

The Chairman would also like to confirm that we will be appealing to the Football Association and are also seeking legal advice.

The full interview, thanks to BBC Radio Kent Sport, can be heard here:

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHARGES DOVER

The National League has charged Dover twice with a breach of Rule 8.39.

Following the failure of the National League to provide agreed funding, the club has had to make the difficult decision to cease all football operations and furlough players and staff.

Chairman Jim Parmenter said: “We are clearly very disappointed that the National League seem to be sticking to their guns and applying rules of the competition with no proper awareness or consideration for the exceptional circumstances we find ourselves in

”It is clear that the agenda is to finish the season at any cost.”

It is likely that Whites will see further charges being brought as they continue to be unable to fulfill games.

Parmenter said:  “We do have a right to deny charges on a game-by-game basis, but with the cost of a personal hearing for each charge being £150, clearly this is an additional financial burden and limits our options. 

”We will, however, make our submissions in writing, based on our firm belief that the failure of the National League to ensure the promised funding was made available has resulted in us taking the only possible action to avoid insolvency.”