I’ve had Dover Athletic Shirts since 1994 (30 years!) and have kept and collected them ever since. It has only been in the last few years that my Football Shirt collecting has really accelerated, and not only to include Dover Shirts but those of other Non-League Clubs, particularly from the 90’s Conference days. I grew up watching us play Conference Football and have great memories of that period and have a vast knowledge of the players and kits of those clubs who participated in the Vauxhall/Nationwide Conference with us throughout those years.
I am very nostalgic about those times which has heavily influenced me to add Shirts, Scarves, Pennants, Programmes and general memorabilia of those 90’s/00’s Non-League teams and competitions. I have over 600 Football Shirts now, 97 of which are Dover ones!
Despite owning nearly a hundred Whites’ shirts, you’d think there wouldn’t be anything left out there for me to look for but there are still a fair few on my wanted list!
Countrywide DERV Shirts are always of interest, of course, particularly the ‘Spall’ 1989-1991 top. The 2002/2003 Yellow & Blue ‘Heritage Transport’ Away Jersey by Admiral, ‘Bergoni’ Sky Blue sponsorless alternative from 2001/2002, the 2005/2006 ‘Criccieth Homes’ Home by ‘Jacetts’ plus a fair few of our more recent ‘Gomez’ sponsored Away Shirts are all on the list. Any Goalkeeper Shirts are always of interest too!
What is your favourite Dover Athletic shirt?
It’s difficult to pick out just one but the 1993-1995 ‘Derv’ Shirt produced by ‘Plaaya’ with the Castle detail sleeve design is up there, along with its classic Yellow & Green Away coloured variant. However, the 1999/2000 trio were a great set of Shirts. The traditional White & Black Home, Red & Black Away and the rare Yellow & Blue Third Shirt were all somewhat iconic. It was the first set of Dover kits produced by Vandanel and all 3 had the same base template which were all somewhat striking in their design.
The shirts were only worn for the one solitary, yet very successful and memorable, season as we finished 6th in the Conference under Bill Williams, our highest ever finish as a Club at that time.
The squad included some of the best players to wear the White Shirt including our gaffer Jake Leberl, Lee Shearer, Dave Clarke, Neil Le Bihan, Simon Wormull & Joff Vansittart.
The Yellow Third Shirt only had a few outings that year including an opening day 2-1 away win away at eventual Conference Champions that season, Kidderminster Harriers. The game that I associate it with most is the 3-2 FA Cup win away at Harlow Town at the Harlow Sports Ground in November 1999, some 25 years ago now incredibly.
How are you feeling about the season ahead?
I’m quietly optimistic about the season ahead. First and foremost it is all about stopping the rot of the past 4 years and consolidating. However, given the improvements around the club both on and off the pitch as well as a rejuvenated outlook and approach, plus the squad Jake has assembled, I believe we are capable of challenging for the Play-Offs but one step at a time, perhaps!
