Category: First Team News

NEW DATE FOR SUTTON

We can confirm that our postponed National League game away at Sutton United has now been re-arranged.

We will now make the trip to The Borough Sports Ground on February 16th with the game kicking off at 7pm.

The original game was postponed on December 28th due to a positive COVID-19 result being returned in the U’s cam

Please continue to stay safe one and all.

 

 

 

WEYMOUTH GAME POSTPONED

Our Vanarama National League fixture against Weymouth at Crabble on Saturday has been postponed due to our staff and players self-isolating in accordance with National League protocols and Public Health England guidelines.

That means our next league game will be against Boreham Wood at Crabble on Tuesday, January 12th at 7.45pm.

Revised dates for all our postponed fixtures will be confirmed in due course.

Please stay home and stay safe everyone.

 

DAGENHAM GAME OFF

Saturday’s National League game away at Dagenham & Redbridge has been postponed due to a Covid-19 investigation.

More to follow.

 

 

COACH RIDGEWELL PLAYS DOWN COMEBACK

Liam Ridgewell admits he will forever be grateful to Dover Athletic captain Sam Wood.

You see, it was the former Premier League defender’s friendship with Wood that led him to become part of manager Andy Hessenthaler’s coaching staff in December.

The Kent-born Ridgewell, who played in the top-flight for Aston Villa, Birmingham, and West Brom, said if it wasn’t for his best mate, he would not be relishing the opportunity he’s now got at Crabble.

He said: “Woody called me and asked if I would like to come in and help with some defensive sessions and shape work.

“I was doing some work with the Aston Villa youngsters at the time, but when they broke up for Christmas it meant I could come to Dover.

“I jumped at the chance to come here as I am doing my coaching badges and it was a great opportunity to put what I know and have been learning into practice at a senior level.

“The Gaffer has been absolutely brilliant and given me free rein to get on with it and the lads have responded really well.

“I was originally only going to come in for a few sessions, but with Darren (Hare) leaving, there was a chance to do it full-time and I am loving every minute of it.

“I keep messaging Woody and thanking him for getting me in – I honestly cannot thank him enough.”

Ridgewell also thanked the ‘Gaffer’ for letting him join his team.

He said: “I didn’t know him before I came in, but I’d heard all about him through the football grapevine.

“He’s an old school manager, just like my managerial idol, Roy Hodgson, and it’s great to see how he goes about his work.

“I’ve played a lot of football in my career, but you can never ever stop learning in this game.

“I want to be a manager one day and being with Dover and working with Hess and Trigger (Nicky Southall) is all part of that learning curve – it’s only early days, but I am picking up bits and pieces all the time.”

Ridgewell, 36, retired from playing after a brief stint with Southend United ended in January 2019 – he has no plans to make a comeback!

He said: “I can tell you that the Gaffer and Woody keep plugging away at me to play again, but my time is done – I’ve had my fun.

“I’ve joined in a few training sessions with the lads but they have taken their toll.

“I’ve had to have an hour-long bath when I get home after each of them to recover,” he laughed.

NEW DATE FOR MAGPIES

Our postponed National League game away at Maidenhead United has now been re-arranged.

We will now make the trip to York Road on March 2nd with the game kicking off at 7.45pm.

The original game was postponed on December 1st due to one of our playing staff testing positive for COVID-19.

Please continue to stay safe one and all.

LION STAYING WITH US

Dover Athletic are delighted to announce that Millwall defender Harry Ransom’s loan spell with us has been extended for another month.

The 21-year-old centre half arrived from the Championship side in October and made his debut in the National League season opener against Notts County at Crabble.

Ransom capped an impressive first start for manager Andy Hessenthaler’s side by heading home the only goal of the game to secure the three points.

He suffered a hamstring injury early in our next game, a 4-1 defeat at Bromley, before making a comeback in the FA Trophy loss at Woking on December 19th.

 

 

SUTTON MATCH POSTPONED

Our Bank Holiday Monday National League match at Sutton United has been postponed due to a positive COVID-19 result being returned in the U’s camp.

We wish those affected a swift and safe recovery.

A revised date for the re-arranged fixture will be confirmed in due course.

 

VIDEO: MANAGER REACTION

Andy Hessenthaler gives his view on Dover’s 1-0 home defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge on Boxing Day.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Chairman, Directors, management, players, and staff of Dover Athletic Football Club would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

We would also like to thank you for your continued support throughout 2020 in what was been the most unusual and challenging of years – it is very much appreciated by us all.

Please enjoy the festivities in the best way you can in these unprecedented times we all live in.

Stay safe everyone until we can all meet again.