Archives: News

LIVE STREAMING COVERAGE ON SALE NOW

 

Dover Athletic fans throughout the country now have the opportunity to watch all our National League games at Crabble via a brand new Live Streaming service from DAFCtv.

That’s right, you can live stream our games, directly to your computer or mobile device.

The current cost is £8 per match and you can buy your tickets on a match-by-match basis.

Match passes for five matches, starting with the visit of Notts County, which is scheduled for October 3, are now on sale.

You can buy your tickets and get further information here 

Further updates regarding commentary etc will be available next week.

UPDATE FROM CHAIRMAN

Chairman Jim Parmenter gives an update after the Government announced this morning that they have paused their plans to bring crowds back to ‘elite’ football from October 1 after a rise in Covid-19 cases.

Whites are due to start their National League campaign against Notts County at Crabble on Saturday, October 3.

A surprised and disappointed Chairman said: “While the government have communicated with the nation, there has been no direct engagement with football clubs by them, the FA or National League – we still do not know what the plans are.

“The board have been working hard to ensure the club stays viable, although this is another setback to our efforts and inevitably this will involve further consultation with our staff.

“Supporters can be assured that we are doing everything we can to ensure the survival of the club and we are taking every possible step to ensure we are ready for when fans are able to come back to the ground.

“At present , we do not know what the plans for the League season are, but we believe that the most likely outcome is a delay to the start of the fixtures.

“Unless funding is provided by the government, football behind closed doors is not sustainable at our level.

“We will oppose any attempt to start the season behind closed doors.”

As previously communicated, season ticket payments are fully protected and full refunds will be given, so fans do not need to worry.

The same goes for shirt purchases, which will be delivered as planned and available within the next couple of weeks, subject to our kit supplier not being effected by lockdown closure or delays.

See Jim Parmenter on BBC NEWS at 10 (22/09/2020)

WINGER SECURES CRABBLE DEAL

 

Trialist Travis Gregory has earned himself a contract after impressing in pre-season.

The winger, who will wear the number 17 shirt, spent time in the youth ranks at both Chelsea and Rangers, has scored three goals in his appearances for Andy Hessenthaler’s squad.

Gregory, 25, has spent the past two seasons with Leatherhead, scoring six goals in 28 appearances last season.

Welcome to Crabble, Travis !!

WHITES LOSE AT FLEET

 

Dover suffered their second defeat of pre-season after hosts Ebbsfleet United came from behind to win the behind closed doors friendly at the Kuflink Stadium on Saturday.

The game, which kicked-off at 12.30pm, was not publicised at Ebbsfleet’s request and all reference to it was subsequently removed from our website.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler’s side opened the scoring in the third minute through Paul Rooney after Fleet goalkeeper Tom Hadler spilled Josh Passley’s driven cross.

Rakish Bingham equalised from close range seconds later before Lee Martin added a second 15 minutes before half-time after he beat goalkeeper Yusif Mersin from just outside the box.

Ebbsfleet finished the game with 10 men after second half substitute Reece Grant got a straight red for a dangerous tackle just before the final whistle.

Dover Athletic: Mersin, Passley, Trialist, De Havilland, Wood, Rooney, Gobern, Hinchiri, Munns, Collins, Triallist.

Subs (all used in second half): Rigg, Bedford, Wratten, Bexon, Bramble, Trialist, Trialist.

 

 

WINNING DOUBLE FOR ACADEMY

 

The two Dover Athletic Academy teams started their seasons with impressive wins.

The number 1 squad, who play in the National Youth League South, beat visiting Boreham Wood 4-0 thanks to a double from Onu and further goals from Baptiste and Igbedion.

Dover opened the scoring through Onu’s penalty in the 25th minute before midfielder Baptiste fired home the second from outside the box after some good work from Rossi just before half-time.

Onu made it 3-0 after an assist by Wilkinson before substitute Igbedion completed the scoring after some good link up play with Sosan.

The number 2 squad completed a great day for the Academy with a 4-1 win at Sutton United.

Nelson (2), Sikirwayi and Way got the goals.

Nelson opened the scoring from a Halls corner before Sikirwayi ‘s long-range effort made it 2-0 at the break.

Sutton reduced the deficit just after half-time making it 2-1 before O’Donnell provided Nelson with his second goal of the game.

Way made it 4-1 following some good link up play with Dallas.

Academy Manager, Mike Sandmann, said:” I am pleased to get the season off and running it’s been extremely strange times and I have to give credit to the group for their hard work throughout the summer.

“It’s been a very different pre-season to what we are used to, but the group have now set a bench mark on what we keep trying to improve on.”

SEASON PREVIEW: CLUB BY CLUB

NATIONAL LEAGUE STATEMENT

SEASON PREVIEW: CLUB BY CLUB

 

The Chairman of the National League, Brian Barwick, has written to The Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to ask the Government to carefully consider how its pending decision on the return of fans to football grounds will affect its clubs, their employees, and local communities.

The National League has also asked the Government for permission to commence the new season on 3 October with fans in attendance with social distancing and other Covid secure
measures in place.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the National League has closely adhered to Government policy and fully recognises the overwhelming necessity to protect people’s health and well being.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 17 July that Government intended to bring back audiences in stadia from October each club has started to prepare for the 2020-21 season.

The National League has set the start date as 3 October, which is when 24 clubswould be due to play their first league match and a further 43 clubs are involved FA Cup ties.

In readiness for the safe return of spectators, National League clubs have calculated their ground’s new socially-distanced capacity.

Whilst crowds could be accommodated up to a level of 20-30% of each stadium’s normal capacity in accordance with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority guidance, the National League has asked the Government to allow up to 1,000 spectators in all grounds from October as a temporary solution that is validated by the Government’s approved pilot events conducted in September.

Brian Barwick commented: “The National League restart depends upon crowds being allowed back in stadiums as live attendance is our clubs’ largest source of income.

“The Government urgently needs to set out a credible pathway for the safe return of supporters, and to ensure our football clubs can continue to function, and to perform their significant role in the sporting life of the country.

“We are proud to be a national competition with strong local connections.”

NEW SHIRTS ON SALE NOW

 

Our three new playing shirts for the 2020-21 season are now available for pre-order online from the club shop.

Made by Italian sportswear giant Kappa, you can order your white, blue or red shirt here

We will also be adding a range of replica training and leisurewear soon, so keep an eye on the website.

 

 

VIDEO: MANAGER REACTION

Boss Andy Hessenthaler has his say after the pre-season draw at Folkestone Invicta on Saturday.

 

STALEMATE AT INVICTA

Dover’s fourth pre-season game of the season ended in stalemate at Folkestone’s BuildKent Stadium on Saturday,

Manager Andy Hessenthaler continued to make changes to his starting line-up as he continues to give everyone minutes before the start of the National League season.

Hessenthaler’s side went close to opening the scoring in the 10th minute after Jack Munns rattled the bar with a free-kick.

The hosts replied with Kieron McCann’s header going wide.

Josh Passley was in the right place at the right time to clear Scott Heard’s shot off the line before Paul Rooney headed just over from a corner.

Dover made three changes at half-time with Steven Rigg and two trialists replacing Bilel Hinchiri, Akheem Rose and Louis Collins.

Rigg tried his luck from distance land his effort went just over the bar.

The striker went close once again with just over 15 minutes to go, seeing his effort from substitute Marshall Wratten’s cross go over the bar.