Striker Ryan Bird has confirmed this week that he will not be taking up the contract offered to him by the club.
The club wish to thank him for his efforts while at the club and wish him well for the future.
Archives: News
DATE CHANGED
The date of our pre-season game away at Hythe Town has been changed from Tuesday, July 10th to Monday, July 9th.
Kick-off remains the same at 7.45pm.
PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
We are now able to confirm details of the pre-season fixtures that have been arranged.
First up, Chris Kinnear’s squad will start the campaign with a trip to Deal Town on July 3rd followed by games at Hythe Town (July 10th), Folkestone (July 14th) and Chelmsford City (July 18th).
League One Gillingham will be the first side to visit Crabble and play on the new pitch when they arrive on July 21st before Welling United come calling on July 24th.
Our final pre-season game sees us travel to Woking on July 28th.
Admission to the home games is FREE for season ticket holders and under 11s while if you buy your ticket on the gate, it will cost £10 for the Gillingham game and £5 for Welling’s visit.
Season ticket prices (Early Bird)
Adult £315
Over 60 £255
Under 18s £30
Season ticket prices (after June 30th)
Adult £340
Over 60 £280
Under 18s £50
All tickets can be purchased by post (paying by cheque) AND at the club reception or by telephone using a Debit or Credit card (fee may apply).
You can apply for a season ticket HERE
Tickets are on sale now, with the early bird offer being available until June 30th.
All tickets will be dispatched during the first week of July.
Back the club and renew your season ticket now!
PRE-SEASON FIXTURES
Tuesday, July 3rd Deal Town v Dover Athletic (7.45pm)
Tuesday, July 10th Hythe Town v Dover Athletic (7.45pm)
Saturday, July 14th Folkestone v Dover Athletic (3pm)
Wednesday, July 18th Chelmsford City v Dover Athletic (7.45pm)
Saturday, July 21st Dover Athletic v Gillingham (3pm)
Tuesday, July 24th Dover Athletic v Welling United (7.45pm)
Saturday, July 28th Woking v Dover Athletic (3pm)
CRABBLE UNDERGOES PITCH TRANSFORMATION
The Club will proudly boast a state-of-the-art hybrid pitch in time for the 2018/19 National League season after a major refurbishment of the Crabble turf, a close season gift from Chairman Jim Parmenter and his wife Sally.
The new surface blends grass with plastic fibres, technology used at Premier League grounds.
This type of surface is more durable, less prone to flooding or freezing and due to the unique specification allows for more efficient grass growth as well as increasing playing comfort.
Kestrel Contractors, a leading UK-based pitch manufacturer, began work on the surface last month with the new pitch scheduled for completion in the coming weeks.
The Chairman said the new pitch could make all the difference in Whites’ promotion bid next season.
He said: “Admittedly players win you games but a consistent surface might give the squad a bit of an edge in home matches.
“It’s been harder to maintain the surface each year, but the relay will provide better drainage and irrigation, plus will be even more levelled out than it currently is.
“The new turf should be laid by the end of the week and it will take a couple months for the seeds to germinate and the grass to grow in time for pre-season.
“It means the first friendlies will be away from home, but supporters will get the chance to see the new surface in action before our league campaign starts.
“It will be a very tough, interesting and entertaining league next season and we will face some very difficult opponents.
“However, we will do our best to challenge at the top end of the table with one of the best pitches in the division.”
YOUTH TEAMS WIN THREE LEAGUES
‘The future of Dover Athletic is bright’, according to Youth Secretary and Club Welfare Officer John Barrett after Whites’ Under 18’s, 16’s and 13’s all won their respective divisions in the Kent Youth Leagues.
‘A couple of seasons ago, myself and Roger Knight set out to raise the standards of our youth teams with a three-year plan’, revealed an elated John. ‘So to achieve what we have this campaign puts us a year ahead of schedule.’
‘We decided to develop our coaches and we now have three staff just finishing their UEFA B badges and two who are starting the same qualification shortly.’
‘We now hope our success will see more youngsters wanting to represent Dover youth sides and though we realise it’s a big jump to where the first team currently is and where it wants to be in the near future, we believe we have created a decent stepping stone for these lads.’
To see how all Athletic’s youth sides finished, visit www.kentyouthleague.co.uk.
RETAINED AND RELEASED LIST ANNOUNCED
Details of those players retained and released ahead of the 2018/19 National League season are as follows:
Players already under contract:
Defenders Connor Essam, Josh Passley and Manny Adebowale, midfielder Mitch Brundle and forwards Jamie Allen and Tobi-Sho Silva.
Released:
Aziz Deen-Conteh (during the course of the season)
Players returned to their parent clubs on conclusion of their respective loan deals:
James Alabi, Kevin Lokko, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Ade Azeez and Anthony Jeffrey
Negotiations are continuing between the club and the other players in the squad from last season and further news will be announced on this website once available.
Dover Athletic would like to place on record its thanks to all players departing for their efforts and commitment during their time at Crabble and we wish them every success in the future.
GOAL OF THE SEASON WINNER
The fans have had their say and with just over 34% of the vote, Mitch Pinnock’s stunning overhead kick against Dagenham & Redbridge wins Dover Athletic’s goal of the 2017/18 campaign.
Well done Mitch!
TICKET PRICES FROZEN
Dover Athletic are pleased to announce that all entry and season tickets prices will be frozen for the 2018-2019 season.
In addition, early-bird season ticket purchases, which include all National League home games, pre-season games as well as giving the holder priority for cup tickets, will be again discounted.
The news also means under-18s can still purchase an early bird ticket for £30 for the entire season.
Under 11s will continue to be free on the gate.
Prices are:
Pay on the gate
Adult £17
Over 60 £14
Under 18 £8
Season ticket prices (Early Bird)
Adult £315
Over 60 £255
Under 18s £30
Season ticket prices (after 30th June)
Adult £340
Over 60 £280
Under 18s £50
All tickets can be purchased by post (paying by cheque) AND at the club reception or by telephone using a Debit or Credit card (fee may apply).
You can apply for a season ticket HERE
Tickets are on sale now, with the early bird offer being available until 30th June.
All tickets will be dispatched during the first week of July.
Back the club and renew your season ticket now!
WHITES GOAL OF THE SEASON
Goalkeeping funnyman Lee Hook has selected his 10 favourite Whites’ goals from this season and he wants you to pick your favourite!
Instructions on how to vote are at the end of the video.
The most popular goal will be announced on Monday 7th May.
ACADEMY END SEASON IN STYLE
Coach Mike Sandmann’s Academy completed a stunning treble this season.
The talented youngsters won the National Youth Alliance, Kent Academies League and the Kent Academies Cup.
To add to this fantastic achievement, Sandmann’s players only lost one game in their respective league campaigns.
He said: “I am extremely proud of what the Academy has achieved this season but it was only what their hard work and willingness to learn and improve deserves.
“As well as winning competitions, we have players going to America, professional clubs are showing interest in them and players have progressed into first teams, which is the real success.
“The development from the group of players has been incredible, but once again the players have enabled this to happen.
“We have a good group of young players coming through the Academy system year on year and I hope we can get more into our first team and continue their progression.
“The first team’s success over recent years has made the gap between Academy Football and first team even bigger but I believe we can continue to work hard in the Academy to bridge that and produce more first team players for Dover Athletic.”