New Strategic Partnership Signals Exciting Future for Dover Athletic Football Club
Dover Athletic Football Club is delighted to announce a new strategic partnership between the Club, Jim Parmenter and the Suonal group, marking the beginning of an ambitious new chapter for the Club.
The agreement sets out a shared vision for the future of Dover Athletic, focused on financial stability, sustainable growth and investment into the Club’s infrastructure and facilities.
The partnership builds on an existing relationship with businesses connected to the Suonal group. Newsteam Group Ltd has been a proud supporter of Dover Athletic for several years with advertising in the River End stand, while The Mighty Kitchen, another group company, is the current front-of-shirt sponsor for the Club’s Youth Section.
This existing support from Newsteam Group and The Mighty Kitchen provides a strong foundation for the next stage of the relationship between Dover Athletic and the Suonal group.
As part of the partnership, the Board of Dover Athletic Football Club will be strengthened by the appointments of:
Simon Wakeham as Commercial Director
Catherine Hamilton-Woodthorpe as Finance Director
Paul Goddard as Vice Chairman
These appointments bring significant commercial, financial and leadership experience to the Club and will help support the next phase of Dover Athletic’s development.
The partnership includes a commitment to continue the sponsorship and financial support package that has been in place since the beginning of last season. This continued support is intended to provide stability while Suonal works with the Club to invest off the pitch, grow commercial revenues and create a stronger platform to fund Dover Athletic’s ambitions on the pitch.
The parties have also agreed a framework under which the Suonal group will become the Club’s majority shareholder over time.
The Club and the Suonal group would like to acknowledge the commitment and contribution of Chairman Jim Parmenter to Dover Athletic Football Club over many years. Jim will continue as the Club’s Chairman and Director of Football, working alongside the Suonal group to support its future development.
A key element of the partnership is a commitment to explore opportunities to improve the Club’s facilities and infrastructure, supporting the Club’s long-term growth.
The first supporter-focused initiative will be the introduction of live music in the Centre Spot following Saturday 3pm home fixtures. Fully funded by the Suonal group, the initiative is designed to enhance the matchday experience, encourage supporters to stay longer after games and create a stronger sense of community around the Club. It is the first of several initiatives planned to enhance the supporter experience.
Jim Parmenter, Dover Athletic Chairman said:
“This agreement represents an exciting opportunity for Dover Athletic Football Club. The commitment being made to the Club gives us confidence that we can continue building a stable and successful future for our supporters, players, staff and the wider community.”
Paul Goddard, representing the Suonal group, said:
“Dover Athletic is a club with a proud history, tremendous potential and a passionate supporter base. Initially inspired by Executive Chairman Tom Crawley’s lifelong love of the Club, the entire Suonal ownership group believes strongly in Dover Athletic’s future.
Our objective is simple: to make Dover Athletic stronger off the pitch so it can become stronger on it. That means growing attendances, strengthening commercial partnerships, increasing revenues and improving the supporter experience. By creating a more financially sustainable club, we can provide the foundations needed to achieve Dover Athletic’s ambitions on the pitch. The introduction of live music after Saturday home matches is just the first of many initiatives we intend to bring forward.”
The Club looks forward to updating supporters as plans progress and to working closely with all stakeholders during this exciting new chapter in Dover Athletic’s history.
Media Enquiries: enquiries@doverathletic.com
Dover Athletic Football Club
Crabble Athletic Ground
Lewisham Road, River
Dover, Kent CT17 0PA