Catch up on Thursday night’s event at the Centre Spot where Andy Hessenthaler, Darren Hare, Lee Worgan and Chairman Jim Parmenter answered questions from Dover supporters.
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BONJOUR NASSIM
Manager Andy Hessenthaler has boosted his squad by signing French winger Nassim L’Ghoul on a two-year deal.
The 21-year-old made 25 appearances for National League South side Welling United last season, scoring three goals.
After leaving the Nike Academy, L’Ghoul had trials with both Charlton Athletic and Dagenham and Redbridge before signing for St. Neots in 2016.
He then joined Whitehawk before making the move to Welling in July last year.
Welcome to Crabble Nassim!
SQUAD NUMBERS REVEALED
Dover Athletic have confirmed the squad numbers ahead of the 2019/20 Motorama National League season.
Four players, Josh Passley, new captain Kevin Lokko, Jamie Allen and Alfie Pavey have all retained their numbers from last season.
The goalkeepers No.1 shirt has been handed to Yusuf Mersin following Mitch Walker’s departure.
Squad:
1. Yusuf MERSIN
2. Joshua PASSLEY
3. Bobby-Joe TAYLOR
4. Scott DOE
5. Kevin LOKKO
6. Will DE HAVILLAND
7. Jai REASON
8. Michael WOODS
9. Inih EFFIONG
10. Jamie ALLEN
11. Jack MUNNS
12. Ricky MODESTE
13. Lee WORGAN
14. Alfie PAVEY
15. Kurtis CUMBERBATCH
16. Paul ROONEY
17. Joe BEDFORD
18. Oscar GOBERN
19. Steven RIGG
20. Marshall WRATTEN
LOKKO NAMED NEW CAPTAIN
Andy Hessenthaler has named his new captain.
Revealed at Thursday night’s ‘Meet the Manager Evening’, Athletic’s boss confirmed defender Kevin Lokko will wear the armband, with recent signing Michael Woods given the role of vice-captain.
Lokko has started every league game since Hessenthaler took charge last October and earlier this year was named ‘National League Player of the Month’ for January.
The 23-year-old was also voted ‘Players player of the season’ by his teammates at the end of the last campaign.
Congratulations Kevin!
MARSHALL GOES PRO WITH WHITES
Dover Athletic are delighted to announce youngster Marshall Wratten has signed professional terms with the club.
Pictured alongside boss Andy Hessenthaler in Athletic’s new JAKO training kit, the 18-year-old has put pen to paper on an initial one-year deal following a string of fine performances for Dover’s academy side.
The left winger has already had a taste of first-team football, featuring as a substitute in our Emirates FA Cup first round tie at Bury in November, plus took in loan spells with Bostik Premier side Margate and Southern Counties East Football League club Hollands & Blair last season.
As well as winning five trophies in his time with Whites’ academy, Wratten was also second top scorer and contributed the most assists in Mike Sandmann’s team during their last campaign.
His former boss was delighted to see the youngster progress into the first-team squad. “Marshall’s development has been fantastic,” said Sandmann. “He has played a huge part in our success and we are delighted to see him sign for the first-team.
“The academy is all about progressing players and supporters will see a young hungry player that is determined to be successful”
Congratulations Marshall!
JAKO TO KIT OUT ATHLETIC
Dover Athletic are delighted to announce JAKO as our kit manufacturer for the 2019/20 campaign.
The sportswear company will supply both playing and training kit to the first team, academy team and youth sides.
The new playing strip, which will feature our new front of shirt sponsor ‘Exclusive Glazing’ will be revealed within the next couple of weeks.
MEET THE MANAGER EVENING
Fans will have the opportunity to meet Andy Hessenthaler when Dover Athletic host a ‘Meet the Manager’ evening in The Centre Spot on Thursday 27th June.
Whites’ manager, along with chairman Jim Parmenter and some of Athletic’s backroom staff, will answer questions from supporters during a formal Q & A session, with the chance to mingle afterwards.
Food and drink will be available to purchase on the evening with doors opening at 6:30 pm for a 7 pm start.
We look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.
ACADEMY TRIUMPHANT ONCE AGAIN
Dover Athletic’s Academy were celebrating winning another trophy on Wednesday.
Braces from Ryan Kingsford and Marshall Wratten saw off Sutton United Academy 4-0 in the PGMOL St George’s Park VAR final after the young Whites’ were crowned National Youth Alliance Champion of Champions last month.
And Mike Sandmann felt mixed emotions afterwards.
“It’s the end of an era for some of these boys”, said Dover’s Academy boss, “but what a way to finish with us. I’ve already said it a million times but I couldn’t be prouder of the lads and it has been a pleasure to witness their footballing journey so far.
“It’s been a tough and physically demanding three days, but you would have thought it was the first match with how they performed in the final!”
Whites started the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Sutton and then defeated Pro Direct Nottingham 4-0.
Qualification from the group stage was at risk following losses to Pro Direct Birmingham (2-0) and Carlisle United Academy (3-0), however a 1-0 victory over Darlington Academy saw the youngsters advance to the knock-out stages, where they defeated Guiseley Academy, who had topped their own group with maximum points, on penalties.
A goal down in the last-four tie, Sandmann’s men came back to beat Pro Future Academy 3-1 before their resounding victory in the final.
Well done to the Academy!
HELP NEEDED
We are looking for volunteers to help get Crabble ready for the big kick-off this season.
The club needs people to come up on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th to help paint and with general tidying etc between 10am and 4pm.
Food and refreshments will be provided.
If you are able to give us a helping hand, please call the club office on 01304 822373 to put your name down.
All assistance will be greatly appreciated.
HESS RIGGS HIMSELF ANOTHER SIGNING
Dover Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of Steven Rigg on a two-year deal.
The striker, Athletic’s eight new summer signing, is no stranger to the National League having spent last season with recently demoted Gateshead, scoring nine times in 44 matches.
The 26-year-old started his senior career with Penrith, where over 60 goals during his two seasons with the Northern League side saw him move into the Football League with League Two side Carlisle United.
Rigg featured 36 times for the Cumbrians and scored on his debut, before moving to Barrow on loan 16 months later.
Following his release by United, the forward moved across the border and signed for Scottish Championship side Queen of the South for one season, before returning to Carlise on a short-term deal with spells at Chorley, Workington and American side Erie Commodores FC of the National Premier Soccer League during the 2017/18 campaign.
Welcome to Crabble Steven!