Dover Athletic’s supporter base stretches far wider than you might expect. For more than a decade, a loyal group of fans from Germany have been making the journey across Europe to back the Whites, now proudly known as the GDC: the German Dover Crew. A mix of friends from the Ruhr region, they pick a couple of games each season, book the crossings, and head straight for Crabble – scarves on, pints poured, and ready to cheer as loudly as any local.

Their love for Dover began with one supporter’s family holiday and quickly grew into something much bigger — a tradition, a friendship, and a connection to a club that feels like home. Ahead of their latest visit, we caught up with the GDC to hear how their story with Dover began, the incredible memories they’ve collected along the way, and what keeps them coming back year after year.

To start, can you introduce yourselves? Where in Germany are you all from and what do you each do outside of football? How do you all know each other.

So we are right now a bunch of up to six guys and we gave ourself the name GDC – German Dover Crew. We are all from cities between Duisburg and Dortmund in the RuhrArea – in German called “Ruhrgebiet” – which is the biggest metropolitan area in Germany with roundabout 5 Millions residents. We all have or had a strong relationship to baseball where we met each other in the last thirty years and played with or against each other. But beside we are all fans of different football teams in Germany. MSV Duisburg, FC St.Pauli,Werder Bremen, Rot – Weiß Essen, Fortuna Düsseldorf. So this fitted from the beginning. We are also from different jobs: Firefighter, Social Worker, cook/chef, site manager, project manager, proberty management. I know them all cause I started to go to DAFC by myself alone and some of them also know each other before.

How and when did you first discover Dover Athletic, and what was it that made you want to follow a club over 400 miles away in another country?

I was on a vacation in Kent with my family back in 2010 and liked to watch a local club. And for me the doorway to England is Dover so I choose them. And as I entered the stadium it was love on first sight. And every of my mates from the GDC tell me the same. For us there is a special atmosphere and it is a special feeling. Some of us thinking of coming home. Sounds a little weird but it’s the truth.

What is it about the club, the town, or the people that’s kept you coming back for the last decade?

We are like the motto one Town – one Team – one Dover. We love Crabble. It’s grassroots but also professional. Your fan shop lady Gill is so lovely to us every time we come. And it’s easy to get in contact with other people. Your media work for a non-league club is marvellous/unbelievable. Not one of us know this for a non – league club in Germany. We all love the white cliffs, the view on the harbour and every trip a short visit is also a must. The beach and the new part of the Harbour is also worth to visit. We also like the surrounding area like Deal. And to be honest to go to Ashford outlet for shopping. And all of us sometimes travel without the GDC with their families/partner to Dover cause we all like it there.

How often do you try to get over to Kent for matches, and what usually goes into planning a trip?

Our Eastern Tour to watch two games within four days is a must every year since 2016. And beside the tour we try to come over together for two more games per season. Planing the trips : We have our own GDC-WhatsApp-Group where we talk about the club, scores, players, standings etc. Here we also plan our tours. We open a poll with fixtures and who likes to go. After we make a decision

together it’s on me to search for Hotel and travel prices and times. For home games 99% we choose the Premier Inn Eastern Ferry Terminal. It’s a little bit like a headquarter for us. And on the other hand we choose between Le Shuttle or ferry and who will drive. And since April we also need Visas. But they last for two years.

What have been your standout Dover memories? Matches, goals, players, away days, or even off-pitch moments.

Uff, there are many- so just a few : Leyton Orient 2017 away – huge Dover crowd, great support and played in a football league ground. Boreham Wood away we went twice. First time eastern Monday traffic so we have to travel through London instead M25 and so missed first half and have to pay the full price to get in. Unbelievable. Second visit 04-2022 Relegation season National League. But first away win this season and levelled to Zero points in overall and we made it there. Sensational feeling!!! Welling March 2024 away – the day we are relegated to Isthmian League. It was just a small chance to keep the league but it was a sad moment if not the sadest in following DAFC. And then the Game the German Dover Crew started. Eastern 2016 against Torquay at Crabble. My mate Rene was the first from the all the lads who I narrated for many years my single journeys stories to Crabble. He traveled with me and saw a huge crowd and strong and great Dover Side which won 5:0. Beside this he ate his first Crabble Burger and after all he fell also in love with the club/the atmosphere at Crabble. After that game I never came back alone and Rico, Tom, Lars and Sebastian joined in step by step until now.

Which Dover players — past or present — have meant the most to you, and why?

From the Past – with no doubt and a no brainer – both Rickys – Ricky Miller – scored, scored, scored – it’s a pity that he never really made it up in the football league And Ricky Modeste – fast, athletic, played it in style – both every penny worth to watch. Also in good memory for us Jake Goodman and Myles Judd – never got up, defence and run run run. Especially the game at Boreham Wood. Present players for all of us – the triangle – Alfie Matthews, George Nikaj and Ruben Junior. Made our dream came true back from relegation to promotion. Just good boys to cheer for.

What have you made of the current squad, the management team, and the direction the club is heading – especially after the success of last season?

Last season was a very strong comeback. The team showed mental strength in decisive moments — especially in the important match at the end of the season in Chichester and in the play-offs. A solid game plan and good squad management ultimately paid off! We think the work of Jake Leberl and his team is really good. Also hiring a new head scout is an important and correct step. Huge compliments for the work so far. Immediate promotion is not something to be taken for granted, and it shows that you have a clear plan. Your focus on long-term stability — keeping key players and scouting and signing players with potential — should be the right path for the future. The players proved their character, especially in the crucial moments of last season. Now they need to take this opportunity in the National League South and show that we didn’t just want to get promoted — we want to stay here. Every player, even those with less playing time, is important!

So never give up; be positive about your cause and your path. A good, respectful relationship between the fans and the team at eye level. We are thrilled that Dover can keep up right after being promoted. And last but not least… A toast to all the volunteers — we believe that’s what makes good club work. And something similar happened with this club as well. Otherwise, they surely would have disappeared into oblivion the year after they were relegated.

What excites about the club is the great atmosphere in the stadium. You can feel the connection between the fans and the team every second. It feels like family. And that’s coming from the two GDC Members who was there for the first time at Easter. They felt welcomed right away. Many thanks to everyone who makes this experience possible — volunteers, staff, fans, and officials.

Is there anything you’d like to say directly to the club, the players, or the supporters ahead of your visit?

The work behind the scenes has personally impressed us a lot, and that’s why we are very happy to support this team/club and the people behind it. Thanks to the supporters for making the DAFC so unique. It’s an incredible experience and worth every mile. The players kept their heads up after relegation, performed as they did and made a miracle come true in the playoffs. And now in this in-between-situation they should remember how good they are and how good they can perform. Trust yourself cause we trust you.

COYW!!!