Category: First Team News

MARSHALL GOES PRO WITH WHITES

Dover Athletic are delighted to announce youngster Marshall Wratten has signed professional terms with the club.

Pictured alongside boss Andy Hessenthaler in Athletic’s new JAKO training kit, the 18-year-old has put pen to paper on an initial one-year deal following a string of fine performances for Dover’s academy side.

The left winger has already had a taste of first-team football, featuring as a substitute in our Emirates FA Cup first round tie at Bury in November, plus took in loan spells with Bostik Premier side Margate and Southern Counties East Football League club Hollands & Blair last season.

As well as winning five trophies in his time with Whites’ academy, Wratten was also second top scorer and contributed the most assists in Mike Sandmann’s team during their last campaign.

His former boss was delighted to see the youngster progress into the first-team squad.  “Marshall’s development has been fantastic,” said Sandmann.  “He has played a huge part in our success and we are delighted to see him sign for the first-team.

“The academy is all about progressing players and supporters will see a young hungry player that is determined to be successful”

Congratulations Marshall!

 

JAKO TO KIT OUT ATHLETIC

Dover Athletic are delighted to announce JAKO as our kit manufacturer for the 2019/20 campaign.

The sportswear company will supply both playing and training kit to the first team, academy team and youth sides.

The new playing strip, which will feature our new front of shirt sponsor ‘Exclusive Glazing’ will be revealed within the next couple of weeks.

 

 

MEET THE MANAGER EVENING

Fans will have the opportunity to meet Andy Hessenthaler when Dover Athletic host a ‘Meet the Manager’ evening in The Centre Spot on Thursday 27th June.

Whites’ manager, along with chairman Jim Parmenter and some of Athletic’s backroom staff, will answer questions from supporters during a formal Q & A session, with the chance to mingle afterwards.

Food and drink will be available to purchase on the evening with doors opening at 6:30 pm for a 7 pm start.

We look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.

HELP NEEDED

We are looking for volunteers to help get Crabble ready for the big kick-off this season.

The club needs people to come up on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th to help paint and with general tidying etc between 10am and 4pm.

Food and refreshments will be provided.

If you are able to give us a helping hand, please call the club office on 01304 822373 to put your name down.

All assistance will be greatly appreciated.

HESS RIGGS HIMSELF ANOTHER SIGNING

Dover Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of Steven Rigg on a two-year deal.

The striker, Athletic’s eight new summer signing, is no stranger to the National League having spent last season with recently demoted Gateshead, scoring nine times in 44 matches.

The 26-year-old started his senior career with Penrith, where over 60 goals during his two seasons with the Northern League side saw him move into the Football League with League Two side Carlisle United.

Rigg featured 36 times for the Cumbrians and scored on his debut, before moving to Barrow on loan 16 months later.

Following his release by United, the forward moved across the border and signed for Scottish Championship side Queen of the South for one season, before returning to Carlise on a short-term deal with spells at Chorley, Workington and American side Erie Commodores FC of the National Premier Soccer League during the 2017/18 campaign.

Welcome to Crabble Steven!

ROONEY MAKES MOVE TO CRABBLE

We are delighted to announce our seventh summer signing with versatile defender Paul Rooney joining on a two-year contract from July 1st.

The 22-year old Dubliner arrives at Crabble after spending last season with League Two side Colchester United.

Rooney joined Championship side Millwall in July 2016 having spent his early senior career with League of Ireland clubs St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians, making his Lions’ debut away to Luton Town in the Football League Trophy four months later.

A two-month loan spell followed at National League side Torquay United where he made seven appearances in all competitions, scoring once.

Rooney, who can also operate in midfield, moved to Colchester in January 2018 and had loan spells with National League side Bromley and National South team Billericay Town last season.

Welcome to Crabble Paul!

BEDFORD EXTENDS STAY WITH DOVER

Midfielder Joe Bedford has put pen to paper ahead of Whites’ 2019/20 National League campaign.

The 21-year-old made four appearances in all competitions for Whites last season and has signed for a further two years.

Having been with Southend United since the age of eight, Bedford progressed through the Shrimpers’ academy and was a regular member of their under-23 side before signing for Dover in December.

Welcome back to Crabble Joe!

 

CUMBERBATCH CHECKS IN AT DOVER

Dover Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Kurtis Cumberbatch on a two-year deal from 1st July.

The 23-year-old joins after spending last season with Southern Premier Division South side Farnborough FC where he scored 11 league goals for the Yellows.

Having spent his youth career with Tottenham Hotspur, Watford and Charlton Athletic, Cumberbatch moved to Hadley Town of the Spartan South Midlands Football League in the summer of 2015, before moving to then-National League side Welling United three months later.

Kurtis next signed for Bostik Premier club Harrow Borough in December 2016 and netted 14 times, before moving to Farnborough in July 2018.

Welcome to Crabble Kurtis!

 

 

 

HESS GETS AN OSCAR

Dover Athletic have completed the signing of former Huddersfield Town, Southampton and Yeovil Town midfielder Oscar Gobern

The 28-year-old joins on a two-year deal from July 1st.

Gobern spent last season at fellow National League club Eastleigh, making 45 appearances for the Spitfires.

He was signed by current Whites boss Andy Hessenthaler when he was in charge of the Hampshire side at the start of last season.

Gobern, a former England under-19 international, made 56 appearances in the Championship during his time with Southampton and Huddersfield.

The central midfielder has also made 47 appearances in League One and 20 in League Two before joining Eastleigh last summer.

Welcome to Crabble Oscar!!

WHERE THERE’S A WILL

Boss Andy Hessenthaler has added to his defensive options by signing Will de Havilland.

The 24-year-old centre-back joins on a two-year deal from July 1st.

De Havilland made 42 National League and two FA Cup appearances for Maidstone United last season and was acting captain in 16 of those games.

He joined the Stones on a two-year deal following his release by League Two Wycombe Wanderers last summer, but has a release clause following Maidstone’s relegation.

De Havilland was on the books at Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday before joining Wycombe in the summer of 2016.

During his time with the Chairboys, De Havilland  spent time on loan at Aldershot Town and Maidstone before making the move to the Gallagher a permanent one.

Welcome to Crabble Will !!