Dover Athletic goalkeeper and captain Mitch Walker has reached another major milestone in black and white, making his 350th appearance for the club.

More than 14 years after first arriving at Crabble, Walker joins an exclusive group of players to have represented the Whites 350 times, adding another chapter to a Dover career spanning ten seasons and two separate spells.

Walker originally joined Dover from Brighton & Hove Albion in May 2012. Having progressed through the Seagulls’ academy, he made his professional debut in a 1-0 League One victory over Yeovil Town in May 2010 before gaining further experience on loan with Welling United and Eastbourne Borough.

It did not take long for the young goalkeeper to establish himself at Crabble. Walker missed just one competitive fixture during his first season and firmly secured cult-hero status during a dramatic 2013 Conference South Play-Off Semi-Final against Eastleigh. After Dover won the first leg 3-1, Eastleigh fought back in the return fixture at Crabble to force the tie to penalties. Walker then took centre stage, saving two spot-kicks as the Whites won the shootout 4-2.

A year later, Walker was between the posts as Dover went one better. After overcoming Sutton United in the semi-final, the Whites travelled to Stonebridge Road and defeated Ebbsfleet United 1-0 in the 2014 Play-Off Final, Nathan Elder’s second-half header securing Dover’s return to the top tier of non-league football after a 12-year absence.

Walker would go on to become a mainstay throughout Dover’s National League years. One of his standout campaigns came in 2017/18 when he played all 46 league games, kept 18 clean sheets and was named National League Player of the Month for March following four consecutive shutouts. There was silverware too. Walker kept goal as Dover defeated Welling United 2-0 in the 2017 Kent Senior Cup Final, lifting the trophy for the first time since 1991.

His performances for the Whites also earned international recognition, with Walker making four appearances for England C during 2013 and 2014. After 279 appearances during his initial seven-season spell, Walker left Crabble in 2019 for Aldershot Town, later spending time with Tonbridge Angels and Whitehawk before the opportunity arose to return to Dover.

His comeback was confirmed in May 2024, five years after his final appearance of his first spell — a 3-0 home victory over Sutton United in April 2019. His second spell has already provided plenty more memorable moments. In August 2024, Walker even scored the first goal of his senior career, with a long free-kick from inside his own half finding the net during an FA Cup tie at Sittingbourne.

More importantly, he helped the Whites secure promotion at the first attempt. Fittingly, Walker’s 300th Dover appearance came on one of the biggest afternoons of his second spell. Wearing the captain’s armband, he kept a clean sheet as Dover defeated Dartford 2-0 at Princes Park in the 2025 Isthmian Premier Division Play-Off Final to seal an immediate return to National League South.

His contribution throughout the promotion-winning campaign was also recognised by the supporters, with Walker collecting both the Supporters’ Player of the Season and Away Supporters’ Player of the Season awards.

“What an unbelievable servant Mitch has been to this football club. He is an outstanding goalkeeper, but more importantly, a fantastic person and someone who has given so much to Dover Athletic. Please show your appreciation for Mitch’s wonderful service today. We all hope there are many more appearances still to come.” – Jake Leberl.

From the penalty shootout against Eastleigh to promotion at Ebbsfleet and Dartford, Walker has been involved in plenty of memorable days during his time at Crabble. His 350th appearance is the latest milestone in a legendary Dover career.

To mark the achievement, Mitch will be presented with a commemorative framed WALKER 350 shirt ahead of our home fixture against Braintree Town at Crabble.

Congratulations on 350 appearances, Mitch.