Category: First Team News

JANUARY FIXTURES – COME AND GET BEHIND THE WHITES

Check out our remaining fixtures for January

The Whites will be looking at upsetting promotion chasing Havant in our next match at Crabble before heading off to Tonbridge to face the Angels the following Tuesday, looking to reverse the defeat at home earlier on in the campaign. We then find ourselves on the road again as we head north to Hemel Hempstead to see if we can do the double over the Tudors before finishing the month with a tie against Worthing at Crabble.

We hope to see as many of you as we can both home and away to cheer on the boys in the second half of the season. As usual it is pay on the gate (card is accepted).

COYW

WHITES BOW OUT OF KENT SENIOR CUP

A much changed team saw defeat in the Kent Senior Cup.

Any dreams of a cup run in the Kent Senior Cup was ended on Tuesday night with a 2-0 defeat away to Chatham Town. Although a defeat is normally hard to swallow, blooding youngsters for the fixture can be seen as a real positive for the club. The Academy had provided nine players to feature in the match as well as a further three that had previously graduated which shows that there is a clear pathway towards the first team. It’s a great experience for those lads in getting game time and one that is crucial to their development moving forward and ideal for the new manager to cast on eye who who could make an impact in his squad.

A goal at the end of each half was enough to undo all the hard work by Dover but it wasn’t to be on a cold night in Medway. Mitch Brundle can now solely focus on the bread and butter of the league with a tough home fixture against Havant & Waterlooville to come this Saturday.

‘I thought the game was a bit scrappy and we wasn’t tidy enough in possession for what we are asking for,’ said the manager after the match. ‘We finished the game with eight academy players on the pitch at the final whistle which is fantastic. We used the game how we wanted which was to get minutes in peoples legs and also gave us a chance to look at the kids. That is no disrespect to Chatham Town or even the tournament itself but we have to have proper games where the final result actually means something and it will benefit the youngsters for their development towards the first team.’

A valiant effort by the young lads.

Harry Earls, Harrison Byford, Jayden Wilson, Freddie Oliver, Will Sanders, Shae Hutchinon, George Wilkinson, Kieron Agbebi, Cameron Thompson, Luke Nandi, Joel Michael ofeniran;

SUBS: Matty Holness, Bleu Landau, Daniel Lott, Cameron Chamberlain, Archi Hatcher

COME AND WITNESS THE NEW BRUNDLE ERA AS A VIP

A new era but the same first class service.

Come and see the beginning of the Brundle era by enjoying our VIP Platinum Suite match day experience for our National League South game against Havant & Waterlooville at Crabble on January 21st.

Watch the game from the best seats in the house and let our match day hospitality provide the ultimate way to spend your time with us.

The package includes:

  • Butler hosted lounge with large TVs and a projector showing the game

  • A three-course meal served at your table

  • Reserved undercover premium padded seating

  • Complimentary tea, coffee & mineral water, plus a dedicated paid bar before and after the match

  • Complimentary match day team sheet

The very special experience costs £28 per person and is available for individual and group bookings, or as a gift voucher.

Please note that this price does NOT include entry for non-season ticket holders who do attend, and they will still need to pay at the turnstile on the day.

On the menu for the game will be :

  • Pate with Melba toast
  • Cumberland Sausage Ring, mashed potato, vegetables and an onion gravy
  • Apple tartlet and custard.

Arrival at the ground should be at 1pm and food will be served at 1.30pm.

There are only 64 spaces available, so all tickets will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis.

The dress code is smart casual.

To buy your VIP ticket please email [email protected] or call the office on 01304 822373

BRUNDLE TAKES THE HOTSEAT

We welcome our new gaffer to Crabble. 

Mitch Brundle has put pen to paper on an 18 month minimum contract with the option of an extension. The player turned manager will be the youngest coach in the dugouts in the UK, narrowly pipping ex Tottenham Hotspur interim manager Ryan Mason, who was 29 when asked to step in. The 28 year old is already looking forward to getting started and has plans in full swing after taking the role on a temporary basis following the departure of the outward departing Andy Hessenthaler.

The new gaffer said ‘I am over the moon to be given this opportunity. I love this club and have always given everything both on and off the pitch. The football club means a lot to me and I am looking forward at putting my own stamp on things.’

The chairman was delighted with the appointment and was looking forward to the club going in a different direction on the pitch. ‘Mitch has done really well since he took the reigns. The teams performances in the last three games show that we will have a bright future under his leadership along with Mike Sandmann.’

Football doesn’t stand still for long and with the ink hardly dry on his contract, our new manager has two games in the space of five days to prepare for. First up a Kent Cup match away to Chatham Town followed by a home game at Crabble against high flying Havant & Waterlooville.

Good luck Mitch. Onwards and upwards.

HESS LEAVES CRABBLE

Dover Athletic Football Club can today confirm the departure of manager Andy Hessenthaler, who leaves the club by mutual consent after his contract was cancelled, with immediate effect.

Hessenthaler returned to Crabble for a second time 15 games into the 2018/19 campaign following the departure of Chris Kinnear.

Mitch Brundle and Mike Sandmann will take joint interim charge of the team for the next few games, starting at Hungerford Town on Saturday, whilst we consider a more permanent structure for the future.

Chairman Jim Parmenter said: “Andy has given terrific service to the Club and assisted me in navigating some very difficult times.

“I wish to place on record our gratitude for his efforts, understanding, and hard work during his time at the Club.

“He is a man of integrity and decency, and I am sure he will be successful in his next role.

“We remain good friends and Hess will be welcome at Crabble at any time.”

Everyone at the club wishes Andy all the very best for the future.

POST-MATCH REACTION | ANDY HESSENTHALER | DOVER 1-2 DULWICH HAMLET

Andy Hessenthaler spoke to BBC Radio Kent’s Matt Gerrard after the National League South defeat at Crabble on New Year’s Day.

Alfie Pavey’s eighth goal of the season put Whites ahead in the 38th minute before the visitors secured the three points after goals from Danny Mills and Joe Felix.

Dover Athletic: Nelson, Judd (Carney 87mins), Paxman, Goodman, Sterling, Brundle (Wilkinson 69mins), Higgs, Martin, Baptiste (Kandi 62mins), Wanadio, Pavey. Subs not used: Moses, Agbebi.

Dulwich Hamlet: Grainger, Ming, Holland, Raymond, Mills (Owusu 69mins), Taylor, Blackman (Krasniqi 85mins), Porter, Clarke (Smith 94mins), Felix, Vint. Subs not used: Jones, Powell.

Attendance: 827

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Chairman, Directors, management, players, and staff of Dover Athletic Football Club would like to wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year.

So whether you are a fan, a business that supports us, or a volunteer, we want to say that we really couldn’t do it without each and every one of you, so thank you one and all.

 

MATCH PREVIEW: DOVER V DULWICH HAMLET

Manager Andy Hessenthaler’s squad starts the second half of its National League South campaign against Dulwich Hamlet at Crabble on New Year’s Day (3pm).

The Boxing Day clash between the two sides ended 1-1 at Champion Hill.

The hosts took the lead through Joe Felix in the 19th minute before Jordan Higgs scored our equaliser against his former club eight minutes before half-time.

DOVER TEAM NEWS 

Forward Chike Kandi, who missed the Boxing Day game with a back injury, is fit again and included in the matchday squad.

Young defender Harrison Byford picked up a knee injury in training this week and misses out.

PROGRAMME

Printed matchday programmes will be available for sale around the ground and from the club shop.

 

DOVER COLOURS

We will be wearing our all-navy away kit for the game as we proudly support Shelter’s #NoHomeKit campaign for a second consecutive year.

LAST TIME WE MET IN A LEAGUE GAME  AT CRABBLE  –  SEPTEMBER 8th, 2007

Dover Athletic 2-2 Dulwich Hamlet

Dover surrendered a two-goal lead in the 2-2 draw with the visitors in the Ryman League Division 1 South match.

Mark Lovell scored both goals for a Dover team which included our current manager Andy Hessenthaler.

Dover Athletic:  Dean Ruddy, Matt Fish, James Rogers, Matt Bourne, John Keister, Craig Wilkins, Jon Wallis, Andy Hessenthaler, James Dryden (Byron Walker), Francine Collin, Mark Lovell (Matt Carruthers).

Subs not used: Graeme Andrews, Sam Gore, Gavin Wright.

Attendance: 941

TICKET INFORMATION

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

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £16

Over 60 – £14

Under 18 – £8

Under 11s continue to be free with paying adult

COVERAGE 

The game kicks off at 3pm and if you are unable to make it, we will be providing live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – follow us and get all the news as it happens.

BBC Radio Kent will also be covering the game with Matt Gerrard on commentary duties HERE

SUNDAY’S OTHER NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH FIXTURES

Farnborough v Hungerford Town
Slough Town v Oxford City
Braintree Town v Chelmsford City
Chippenham Town v Bath City
Concord Rangers v Cheshunt
Dartford v Ebbsfleet United
Eastbourne Borough v Havant & Waterlooville
Hampton & Richmond v Worthing
St Albans City v Hemel Hempstead Town
Welling United v Tonbridge Angels

BE A NEW YEAR’S DAY VIP

Start the New Year in style by enjoying our VIP Platinum Suite matchday experience for our National League South game against Dulwich Hamlet at Crabble on January 1st

Watch the game from the best seats in the house and let our matchday hospitality provide the ultimate way to spend your time with us.

The package includes:

  • Butler hosted lounge with large TVs and a projector showing the game

  • A three-course meal served at your table

  • Reserved undercover premium padded seating

  • Complimentary tea, coffee & mineral water, plus a dedicated paid bar before and after the match

  • Complimentary matchday team sheet

The very special experience costs £28 per person and is available for individual and group bookings, or as a gift voucher.

Please note that this price does NOT include entry for non-season ticket holders who do attend, and they will still need to pay at the turnstile on the day.

On the menu for the game will be :

  • Minestrone soup with Ciabatta roll and butter
  • Chicken, mushroom & leek pie, mashed potato, peas, carrots, and gravy
  • Golden layered salted caramel cheesecake served with cream

Arrival at the ground should be at 1pm and food will be served at 1.30pm.

There are only 64 spaces available, so all tickets will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis.

The dress code is smart casual.

To buy your VIP ticket please email [email protected] or call the office on 01304 822373

CLUB SUPPORTS #NoHomeKit CAMPAIGN

In the space of one 90-minute game, 25 households will become homeless in England – many of them will be families with children.

Home stadium. Home colours. Home game. The football community knows the importance of home – and we here at Dover Athletic are proud to be playing our part. We’re fighting for a future where everyone has the right to a safe home, particularly at this time of year.

That’s why we are supporting homelessness charity, Shelter’s, #NoHomeKit campaign, for a second consecutive year.

The initiative sees clubs across the country taking part by swapping their home kit for their away one to raise awareness for the cause.

That means we will wear our navy kit in the National League South game against Dulwich Hamlet at Crabble on Sunday, January 1st  and we encourage supporters to do the same if they are able to.

Shelter supports people and families who are suffering from the cost of living crisis, and its knock-on effects, with demand for housing being as high as it’s ever been.

Last year’s campaign was a huge success, with hundreds of clubs up and down the country taking part, raising over £500,000 for it.

Supporters can find out more and donate to Shelter’s campaign HERE