Archives: News

PITCH RECEIVES MAKEOVER

The new football season might be two months away but preparations have already started on Crabble’s turf ahead of Whites’ 2019/20 National League campaign.

Following the installation of the fibre sand pitch last year, Dover Head Groundsman Sid Fletcher is now performing the necessary maintenance work to ensure the ground is in top condition ahead of Whites’ first pre-season match at Crabble, against Maidstone United on Tuesday 16th July.

“It was a big job last year,” said Sid, “however, it’s a smaller in-house renovation this summer and we have a lot more time to get the pitch how we want it.

“There were a few bald spots towards the end of last season, so we have overseeded and implemented the fertilising regime to allow the grass to grow all over the pitch.

“The plastic fibres in the sand will give the turf the necessary strength needed to withstand the rigours of a football season and I can’t wait to see the finished product.

“My aim is for it to look the same at the end of the season as it will at the start!”

LIONS TO VISIT CRABBLE

Athletic have added a further friendly to their pre-season schedule with a Millwall XI to visit Crabble on Monday 29th July.

The match against the Championship side will kick off at 7:30 pm.

Whites’ updated pre-season fixture list is as follows:

Wednesday 3rd July 7:30 pm – Bearsted FC (A)
Saturday 6th July 3 pm – Folkestone Invicta (A)
Tuesday 9th July 7:45pm – Beckenham Town (A)
Saturday 13th July 1 pm – K Sports FC (A)
Tuesday 16th July 7:45 pm – Maidstone United (H)
Saturday 20th July 3 pm – Hemel Hempstead Town (A)
Tuesday 23rd July 7:45 pm – Gillingham (H)
Saturday 27th July 3 pm – Colchester United (H)
Monday 29th July 7:30 pm – Millwall XI (H)

 

CHAMPION PERFORMANCE BY ACADEMY

Dover Athletic’s Academy were crowned National Youth Alliance Champion of Champions after beating Eastleigh Academy 1-0 on Wednesday afternoon.

Joshua Spencer’s header 10 minutes from time saw the young Whites’ triumph in the final, held at Oxford City’s ground, as Mike Sandmann’s side completed a league and cup double and remain unbeaten during the season.

Academy boss Sandmann said: “I’m really proud of the boys and they have been rewarded for all the hard work they have put in.

“We did some set piece drills in training and spoke about them again at half-time as it was such a tight game, so it was nice to see us score the winner from a free-kick.

“The lads have come far in their time with us and to be crowned the best academy team in the country, plus go the whole campaign without defeat is something quite special and proof of what a great set-up we have between Dover Athletic and the Abbey School.”

“We have two more tournaments with this group in June and before we welcome a new group from July – and the new lads already have a lot to live up to!

“Most of the existing squad are certainly ready for first-team football and I hope to see a couple involved during pre-season.”

After lifting the trophy, winning captain Jack Smith said: It was such a close game.  At half-time we all felt we could do better and picked up the tempo in the second half.

“To be the Champion of Champions is such a great feeling and it was a real honour to lead out this team.

“The coaching here is excellent and being part of the Dover academy has helped improve me and prepare me for men’s football.”

You can watch Joshua Spencer’s winner below

MERSIN SIGNS ON

Dover Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper Yusuf Mersin on a two-year contract.

The 24-year-old Londoner, who stands at impressive six feet and five inches tall, featured 19 times for Crawley Town during a three-year spell with the League Two club before being released earlier this month.

Mersin played for Turkish Premier League for Kasimpasa FC before returning to the UK to sign for Crawley in 2016.

The giant stopper, who has represented Turkey at both under-17 and under-18 levels, commanded a seven-figure transfer fee when he moved from Millwall to Liverpool as a youngster.

Welcome to Crabble Yusuf!

ACADEMY THROUGH TO FINAL

Dover Athletic’s academy will play in the National Youth Alliance Champion of Champions final after defeating AFC Stamford academy 1-0 on Wednesday night.

Ryan Kingsford’s 25th minute goal set up a final against Eastleigh academy, to be played on Wednesday 22nd May at Oxford City, kick off 2 pm.

Academy boss Mike Sandmann said of the victory afterwards.  “It’s a fantastic achievement to be in the final out of all the academies in the country and shows where our group of players are and how hard they are willing to work to develop.

“The group have been excellent throughout and I couldn’t be more proud them.  We will be hoping to be crowned the best academy in the country next week and I know the lads will do everything possible to make that happen.

“The final will be the last game for some of our players and it’s been an absolute pleasure to enjoy their progress and development.”

MORE FRIENDLIES CONFIRMED

Whites have added two more matches to their pre-season schedule.

Andy Hessenthaler’s side will travel to Eden Park Avenue to play Southern Counties East Football League side Beckenham Town on Tuesday 9th July (Kick off 7:45 pm) and Vauxhall Road to face National League South team Hemel Hempstead Town, managed by former Dover player Sammy Moore, on Saturday 20th July (Kick off 3 pm).

Athletic’s updated pre-season fixture list is as follows:

Wednesday 3rd July 7:30 pm – Bearsted FC (A)
Saturday 6th July 3 pm – Folkestone Invicta (A)
Tuesday 9th July 7:45pm – Beckenham Town (A)
Saturday 13th July 1 pm – K Sports FC (A)
Tuesday 16th July 7:45 pm – Maidstone United (H)
Saturday 20th July 3 pm – Hemel Hempstead Town (A)
Tuesday 23rd July 7:45 pm – Gillingham (H)
Saturday 27th July 3 pm – Colchester United (H)

 

ACADEMY THROUGH TO SEMI-FINALS

Whites’ youngsters moved in the final four of the National Youth Alliance Champions of Champions after defeating Chester FC Academy 5-4 on penalties on Wednesday evening.

Trailing by two goals at the break, a Marshall Wratten goal in the 67th minute and a Ryan Kingsford penalty 12 minutes from time saw the quarter-final tie, played at the Abbey School in Faversham, decided by spot-kicks.

Academy boss Mike Sandmann said of his team afterwards,  “I couldn’t be more proud of the players last night.  To come back like they did against a side undefeated in their own league this season shows true character and desire.

“I don’t think we played particularly well, but the result is the most important thing and it is fantastic for our academy – in partnership with the Abbey School – to be recognised as one of the top academy sides in the country.

“The players deserve all the credit for getting this far and hopefully we can reach the final.”

Dover’s academy have been drawn away to FCV Stamford in the semi-final, scheduled for Wednesday 15th May.

Watch Harisson Pont’s winning penalty below.

 

EFFIONG WINS GOAL OF THE SEASON

The votes are in and Inih Effiong’s winning goal against Fylde has been chosen as Dover’s goal of the season for the 2018/19 campaign.

With Whites down to ten men in the National League match back in December, Athletic’s forward scored a dramatic injury-time winner at Crabble, having equalised ten minutes earlier.

Effiong’s finish received 28% of the votes and you can see his winning goal below.

Congratulations Inih!

HESSENTHALER WINS LEAGUE AWARD

Huge congratulations to Andy Hessenthaler who has today been named as the Vanarama National League Manager of the Month for April.

The reward is a fitting one for the Gaffer after he completed what at one stage looked like mission impossible by keeping the club in the league and doing it in style.

Mission was accomplished last month with Hessenthaler’s men winning four of the last five games, including a stunning 3-2 win at Barrow after being 2-0 down, a result which ensured survival.

The stunning season-ending performance saw Dover win 13 points from a possible 15 available and finish 14th overall.

Job done – well done Hess!!

 

PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

We are delighted to confirm a number of pre-season fixtures in preparation for the club’s 2019/20 Motorama National League campaign.

Andy Hessenthaler’s men will first be in action at Southern Counties East League club Bearsted on July 3rd.

That will be followed by trips to Folkestone (July 6th) and K Sports (July 13th).

Three games will then be played at Crabble with Maidstone United visiting on July 16th, Gillingham on July 23rd and Colchester United on July 27th.

Ticket details for our home games will be announced on this website in the coming weeks while further friendlies will also be confirmed here first.

Schedule:

Bearsted (away) July 3rd at 7.30pm

Folkestone (away) July 6th at 3pm

K Sports (away) July 13th at 1pm

Maidstone United (home) July 16th at 7.45pm

Gillingham (home) July 23rd at 7.45pm

Colchester United (home) July 27th at 3pm