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*BS* Book your seat on the Supporters Club coach to Forest Green for the Play Off Semi Final second leg

Adults Members £20
Adult Non Members £25

Accompanied Child (under 16) £10

DASC Lotto Winner 1st Bob Duck
2nd Val Grant
3rd Mike Murphy

Departs Crabble @ 1:00pm

*BS*Please call or text Andy on 07934300335*BF*

*BS*Andy will be in the Centre Spot before & after every home game*BF*

*BS*Please book early so we know what size of coach to book as the larger one if needed may not be available later in the week*BF*

*BS*RULES FOR THE COACH TRAVEL*BF*

*IS*All vehicles are NON SMOKING
No alcohol will be permitted on our vehicles at any time (which means not just drinking alcohol but also taking it on the coach).
Any damage caused will be charged to the Supporters Club.
Any abnormal or excessive cleaning will result in a £50 fine payable by the Supporters Club.
No excessively rowdy behavior will be tolerated.

The Coach company runs a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY if any of the above restrictions are breached and any individual found to be flaunting the rules, they will be removed from the coach immediately, irrespective of the location of the vehicle.

It is obviously in everyone’s interest and to encourage people who are understandably wary about using the coach, that behavior is kept within the bounds of common sense.

Supporters Coaches are operated by the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club and are in no way organised by or the responsibility of Dover Athletic F.C.*IF

*BS*Supporters are asked for their assistance in promoting this Wednesday’s home semi-final leg of the Vanarama National League playoffs – inside this article, you can find a link to our match poster for the fixture, which we would love to see in as many locations around town as possible!*BF*

Whether you have half an hour or half a day to spare, any help in distributing these match posters would be greatly appreciated.

We do not have much time to get this task done before the home leg of the playoff semi-finals, as we face Forest Green Rovers at Crabble this WEDNESDAY with kickoff at 7pm.

The match posters can either be printed from home (via the below link), or can be collected from the club office at Crabble from Tuesday onwards.

COYW!

*Link1*

*BS*The club held their end of season awards evening on Saturday, with Stefan Payne and Ricky Miller both picking up two awards apiece. Supporters, players and staff alike all celebrated this season’s successes in a packed centre spot, with Chairman Jim Parmenter and manager Chris Kinnear also giving speeches to the audience.*BF*

After Saturday’s final match of the regular season, against Forest Green Rovers, a large crowd made their way to the Centre Spot for the club’s end of season awards evening.

Hosted by Jack O’Sullivan and Jason Burns – two members of the club’s media team – five awards were presented.

The Club Person of the Year award was voted for by the club’s board of directors, and went to one of our unsung heroes, who volunteers their time and works tirelessly behind the scenes to make a big difference around Crabble. The winner of this season’s award, presented by Dover Athletic Chairman Jim Parmenter, was *BS*RAY KELLY*BF*.

The Golden Boot award goes to the player who has scored the most goals in all competitions up until the end of the regular season. Presented by Nicky Deverdics, this season’s award went to *BS*STEFAN PAYNE*BF*.

Next, we had the Players’ Player of the Year award. This went to a man who, in the eyes of his fellow players, deserves that extra bit of recognition for what he provides to the team, at training, and around the club in general. Presented by Jamie Grimes, this season’s award went to *BS*STEFAN PAYNE*BF*.

Then, we moved onto the two awards that were voted for by supporters. Earlier in the month, we welcomed votes for our Goal of the Season Award and Supporters Player of the Season Award and we received over 800 votes in total for these awards.

This season, Whites scored a number of truly memorable goals. Presented by Dover Athletic manager Chris Kinnear, this season’s award went to *BS*RICKY MILLER*BF* for his goal against Chester, which went viral and was viewed by millions across the world.

Finally, we have our Supporters’ Player of the Season award. This is another one that was very closely contested – we also received a lot of votes for ‘the whole squad’, summing up just how people feel about everyone’s efforts.

Presented by Dover Athletic club photographer and Supporters’ Club committee member Simon Harris, this season’s award went to *BS*RICKY MILLER*BF*.

Dover Athletic Football Club would like to congratulate all winners on their awards, plus supporters for voting and attending last night’s event.

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*BS*Dover Athletic vs Forest Green Rovers
Saturday 30th April 2016 – 5.30pm kick-off
Referee: Craig Hicks*BF*

*BS*HEADLINES*BF*
Whites’ playoff spot was guaranteed last weekend – and with it, history was made. Chris Kinnear’s current crop have achieved the club’s highest ever league finish, surpassing the previous best sixth-placed finish in the 1999/2000 season.

In what has been one of the most memorable seasons ever, Whites fans will now be eagerly anticipating the playoffs and their chance to earn promotion to the Football League for the first time in the club’s history.

Despite Whites having booked their playoff spot already, this Saturday’s match against Forest Green Rovers is anything but a dead rubber – Kinnear’s men enter the weekend level on points with Grimsby Town, who face a tricky-looking trip to Tranmere Rovers on Saturday – meaning that if Whites can pick up all three points then they stand a real chance of finishing the season in third place.

That could turn out to be crucial – a third-place finish would mean the second leg of Whites’ playoff semi-final would be at Crabble, next Sunday, which would be a special occasion for both the club and Whites’ loyal supporters.

There was an extra twist in the tale this week – Forest Green Rovers, who are guaranteed to finish as runners-up in the division, sacked manager Ady Pennock on Wednesday. Intriguing timing considering the imminent playoff matches, however their poor form convinced chairman Dale Vince that a change at the top was needed to maximise their chances of winning promotion alongside local rivals Cheltenham Town.

Whites will know at the full-time whistle who their playoff opponents will be – currently, it could be any one of Forest Green Rovers, Grimsby Town or Braintree Town – and we will also know what order the home and away legs will be in.

Players and management alike have spoken recently about the confidence in the side to give anybody a game – leaving the discussion about who they would rather play, and in what order, to the supporters.

*IS*After Saturday’s game, the club will be holding their annual end of season awards evening in the Centre Spot, scheduled to take place between 8pm-9pm. We invite all supporters along to this free event to help us celebrate this season’s achievements thus far.*IF*

*BS*THE OPPOSITION*BF*
Name: Forest Green Rovers FC | Manager: Scott Bartlett (caretaker manager)
Ground: The New Lawn | Nickname: Rovers, FGR

Frank Gregan arrived as manager in 1994 taking the club to the Southern League Southern Division title in 1997 and into the Southern League Premier Division for the first time. The following year a showdown with Merthyr Tydfil in front of a record crowd of 2962 at the newly upgraded “Lawn” saw the Little Club on The Hill through to the Conference National.

Rovers were everybody’s favourites for relegation in 1999 but instead they went back to Wembley in the FA Trophy becoming the first club to appear in both the Trophy and Vase Finals, a sign of how far the club had come. The Trophy final was lost to Kingstonian 1-0.
Relegation was avoided in the last five minutes of the last game the following year, but in 2001, Rovers returned to the Trophy Final, this time losing to Canvey Island again by the only goal of the game.

A finish of 9th in the Conference was achieved in 2003 but this was then followed by further relegation battles up until 2006 when relegation was again avoided on the last day of the season.

Whilst the team were struggling on the pitch, ambitious plans were put forward in 2002 to move the Club to a new Football League standard ground 400 meters away, still in the hamlet of Forest Green. Planning permission was granted in 2005 and the new stadium was built over the next year, funded by the sale of the old ground for housing development. Carrying on a tradition set by supporters back in the 1950s the new stadium was painted from head to toe by supporters all on a voluntary basis.

The New Lawn was officially opened in September 2006 and the stadium hosted 4836 in January 2009 for the visit of Derby County in the FA Cup 3rd Round, with Rovers losing 4 – 3 to a last minute penalty.

Rovers’ highest placing in the Conference Premier is 5th (2014-15 season). They have been in the top flight of the non-league game since 1998, making them the longest serving club – a remarkable feat which many did not think would last one season.

*BS*RECENT FORM*BF*
Coming into the game, Whites have a record of three wins and three draws. Wins were picked up against FC Halifax Town (1-0), Altrincham (2-1) and Wrexham (1-0), with draws against Macclesfield Town (0-0), Grimsby Town (1-1) and Kidderminster Harriers (1-1).

Rovers’ record over the same number of matches shows four draws and two defeats. The draws came against Aldershot Town (0-0), Bromley (2-2), Wrexham (0-0) and Braintree Town (1-1), with defeats suffered to Woking (1-2) and FC Halifax Town (0-1).

*BS*HOME AND AWAY*BF*
At home this season, Dover have the fourth best record in the division, with thirteen wins and five draws from their 22 matches at Crabble.

Away from home this season, Rovers have the third best record in the division, with ten wins and eight draws accumulated from 22 matches on their travels.

*BS*RECENT MEETINGS*BF*
14/11/2015: Forest Green Rovers 3-1 Dover Athletic
25/04/2015: Forest Green Rovers 0-0 Dover Athletic
22/11/2014: Dover Athletic 0-0 Forest Green Rovers

*BS*MEMORABLE MEETING*BF*
*IS*Saturday 22nd November 2014
National League – Dover Athletic 0-0 Forest Green Rovers
Crabble has become quite the fortress in recent weeks and this continued into Saturday’s match against Forest Green Rovers as Chris Kinnear’s Dover Athletic clocked up another successful clean sheet and well deserved point against their Gloucestershire visitors.

It could very well have been all three points for Whites after they pressurised for spells throughout the match, with Stefan Payne going closest to breaking the deadlock with a stabbed shot wide of goal in the second half, however both sides had to settle for a point each in what was an entertaining draw. *IF*

*BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
Richard Orlu will serve the third and final leg of his suspension, picked up following his dismissal against Macclesfield Town earlier in the month, so loanee Connor Essam can be expected to continue at centre-back in his absence. Sean Raggett will be assessed ahead of the game, having missed last weekend’s draw with Kidderminster Harriers.

Rovers had three first-team players go off injured in their last game – defender Dale Bennett, midfielder Sam Wedgbury and winger Anthony Jeffrey – so will be forced into changes.

*BS*TOP SCORERS*BF*
Whites’ top scorer in the league is Ricky Miller with twenty goals, two ahead of Stefan Payne and six more than Nicky Deverdics.

Forest Green’s top scorer in the league this season is Jon Parkin, who has found the back of the net on thirteen occasions thus far.

*BS*COVERAGE*BF*
The best place to see Saturday’s big game is at Crabble, but for supporters unable to make the game, our Live Text service on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – will be running as usual.

*BS*VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES*BF*
*IS*Saturday 30th April, 5.30pm*IF*
Barrow v Wrexham (11th vs 8th)
Braintree v Altrincham (5th vs 22nd)
Bromley v Aldershot (13th vs 16th)
Cheltenham v Lincoln City (1st vs 12th)
Chester v Gateshead (17th vs 9th)
Dover v Forest Green (4th vs 2nd)
Halifax v Macclesfield (20th vs 10th)
Guiseley v Torquay (21st vs 18th)
Southport v Kidderminster (15th vs 23rd)
Tranmere v Grimsby (6th vs 3rd)
Welling v Boreham Wood (24th vs 19th)
Woking v Eastleigh (14th vs 7th)

*BS*Whites defender Tyrone Sterling says it is great that the club has sealed their playoff spot – but promises there will be no taking their foot off the gas this weekend in their final match of the regular season.*BF*

Forest Green Rovers come to Crabble this Saturday, in a 5.30pm kick-off, having already guaranteed second place in the table. They sacked manager Ady Pennock today (Wednesday), meaning there is an extra angle on the weekend’s game – but Whites know what their job is.

Win, and Chris Kinnear’s men could finish in third – something that would keep the momentum up. That, according to Sterling, could be key: “We go into every game trying to win. The gaffer and Jake have made that very clear to us – on Saturday, against Forest Green, we want to pick up the three points and go into the playoffs on a high.

“There will be no resting up for this game – there’s still a lot to play for.”

Whites’ playoff spot was booked after the 1-1 draw against Kidderminster Harriers last weekend, but Sterling admits the side initially weren’t sure if they had done enough: “When the whistle blew, we didn’t know at the time that we were definitely in there. However, we soon realised when we saw the reaction of our supporters – who had been brilliant throughout the game.”

“We’ve worked hard all season long and we deserve to be where we are. It’s a really happy camp right now. People say there is no pressure on us in the playoffs, and in one sense that’s right, but as players we will be putting the pressure on ourselves – and that can be a good thing.

“We have expectations of ourselves and of each other and we are determined to win promotion together.

“There is no preferable side to play in the playoffs – whoever we get, and whether we are at home first or second, that’s absolutely fine.”

Sterling was named as both Supporters’ Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season in the last campaign, but found this season tougher going because of injuries he has sustained. He said: “It’s been a bit of a tough season for me, which has been disrupted by injury at times. However, if I get the nod from here on in then I’m determined to do my best to help us achieve what we know we are capable of.”

The former Dartford man recently signed a new deal to keep him at Crabble until the end of the 2016/17 season – and said he was delighted to stay: “The decision to sign a new contract here was an easy one to make. Where else would I want to play my football? I’m happy, smiling – and looking forward to the next couple of weeks and next season.”

*BS*Supporters are reminded that after Saturday’s match at Crabble against Forest Green Rovers, the club will be holding their annual end of season awards evening in the Centre Spot. Open to all supporters and free of charge to attend, the event is scheduled to begin at 8pm.*BF*

Saturday’s fixture – which kicks off at the later time of 5.30pm – sees Whites face second-placed Forest Green Rovers in the final match of the regular Vanarama National League season. Both sides are guaranteed a playoff spot, but there is still a lot to be decided at the weekend – win, and Dover give themselves a chance of finishing in third place, thus playing the second leg of their playoff semi-final at home.

After the game, supporters are invited to make their way to the Centre Spot and purchase refreshments from the bar before our awards evening gets underway. Scheduled to start at 8pm, we will be making give presentations – Club Person of the Year, Golden Boot, Players’ Player of the Season, Goal of the Season and Supporters’ Player of the Season.

Voting figures have been at an all-time high for this season, with hundreds of supporters making their voice heard about who should win one of the coveted awards.

We look forward to welcoming supporters to the Centre Spot after the game to celebrate this season’s achievements so far.

*BS*Dover Athletic vs Forest Green Rovers
Saturday 30th April 2016 – 5.30pm kick-off
Referee: Craig Hicks*BF*

*BS*HEADLINES*BF*
Whites’ playoff spot was guaranteed last weekend – and with it, history was made. Chris Kinnear’s current crop have achieved the club’s highest ever league finish, surpassing the previous best sixth-placed finish in the 1999/2000 season.

In what has been one of the most memorable seasons ever, Whites fans will now be eagerly anticipating the playoffs and their chance to earn promotion to the Football League for the first time in the club’s history.

Despite Whites having booked their playoff spot already, this Saturday’s match against Forest Green Rovers is anything but a dead rubber – Kinnear’s men enter the weekend level on points with Grimsby Town, who face a tricky-looking trip to Tranmere Rovers on Saturday – meaning that if Whites can pick up all three points then they stand a real chance of finishing the season in third place.

That could turn out to be crucial – a third-place finish would mean the second leg of Whites’ playoff semi-final would be at Crabble, next Sunday, which would be a special occasion for both the club and Whites’ loyal supporters.

There was an extra twist in the tale this week – Forest Green Rovers, who are guaranteed to finish as runners-up in the division, sacked manager Ady Pennock on Wednesday. Intriguing timing considering the imminent playoff matches, however their poor form convinced chairman Dale Vince that a change at the top was needed to maximise their chances of winning promotion alongside local rivals Cheltenham Town.

Whites will know at the full-time whistle who their playoff opponents will be – currently, it could be any one of Forest Green Rovers, Grimsby Town or Braintree Town – and we will also know what order the home and away legs will be in.

Players and management alike have spoken recently about the confidence in the side to give anybody a game – leaving the discussion about who they would rather play, and in what order, to the supporters.

*IS*After Saturday’s game, the club will be holding their annual end of season awards evening in the Centre Spot, scheduled to take place between 8pm-9pm. We invite all supporters along to this free event to help us celebrate this season’s achievements thus far.*IF*

*BS*THE OPPOSITION*BF*
Name: Forest Green Rovers FC | Manager: Scott Bartlett (caretaker manager)
Ground: The New Lawn | Nickname: Rovers, FGR

Frank Gregan arrived as manager in 1994 taking the club to the Southern League Southern Division title in 1997 and into the Southern League Premier Division for the first time. The following year a showdown with Merthyr Tydfil in front of a record crowd of 2962 at the newly upgraded “Lawn” saw the Little Club on The Hill through to the Conference National.

Rovers were everybody’s favourites for relegation in 1999 but instead they went back to Wembley in the FA Trophy becoming the first club to appear in both the Trophy and Vase Finals, a sign of how far the club had come. The Trophy final was lost to Kingstonian 1-0.
Relegation was avoided in the last five minutes of the last game the following year, but in 2001, Rovers returned to the Trophy Final, this time losing to Canvey Island again by the only goal of the game.

A finish of 9th in the Conference was achieved in 2003 but this was then followed by further relegation battles up until 2006 when relegation was again avoided on the last day of the season.

Whilst the team were struggling on the pitch, ambitious plans were put forward in 2002 to move the Club to a new Football League standard ground 400 meters away, still in the hamlet of Forest Green. Planning permission was granted in 2005 and the new stadium was built over the next year, funded by the sale of the old ground for housing development. Carrying on a tradition set by supporters back in the 1950s the new stadium was painted from head to toe by supporters all on a voluntary basis.

The New Lawn was officially opened in September 2006 and the stadium hosted 4836 in January 2009 for the visit of Derby County in the FA Cup 3rd Round, with Rovers losing 4 – 3 to a last minute penalty.

Rovers’ highest placing in the Conference Premier is 5th (2014-15 season). They have been in the top flight of the non-league game since 1998, making them the longest serving club – a remarkable feat which many did not think would last one season.

*BS*RECENT FORM*BF*
Coming into the game, Whites have a record of three wins and three draws. Wins were picked up against FC Halifax Town (1-0), Altrincham (2-1) and Wrexham (1-0), with draws against Macclesfield Town (0-0), Grimsby Town (1-1) and Kidderminster Harriers (1-1).

Rovers’ record over the same number of matches shows four draws and two defeats. The draws came against Aldershot Town (0-0), Bromley (2-2), Wrexham (0-0) and Braintree Town (1-1), with defeats suffered to Woking (1-2) and FC Halifax Town (0-1).

*BS*HOME AND AWAY*BF*
At home this season, Dover have the fourth best record in the division, with thirteen wins and five draws from their 22 matches at Crabble.

Away from home this season, Rovers have the third best record in the division, with ten wins and eight draws accumulated from 22 matches on their travels.

*BS*RECENT MEETINGS*BF*
14/11/2015: Forest Green Rovers 3-1 Dover Athletic
25/04/2015: Forest Green Rovers 0-0 Dover Athletic
22/11/2014: Dover Athletic 0-0 Forest Green Rovers

*BS*MEMORABLE MEETING*BF*
*IS*Saturday 22nd November 2014
National League – Dover Athletic 0-0 Forest Green Rovers
Crabble has become quite the fortress in recent weeks and this continued into Saturday’s match against Forest Green Rovers as Chris Kinnear’s Dover Athletic clocked up another successful clean sheet and well deserved point against their Gloucestershire visitors.

It could very well have been all three points for Whites after they pressurised for spells throughout the match, with Stefan Payne going closest to breaking the deadlock with a stabbed shot wide of goal in the second half, however both sides had to settle for a point each in what was an entertaining draw. *IF*

*BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
Richard Orlu will serve the third and final leg of his suspension, picked up following his dismissal against Macclesfield Town earlier in the month, so loanee Connor Essam can be expected to continue at centre-back in his absence. Sean Raggett will be assessed ahead of the game, having missed last weekend’s draw with Kidderminster Harriers.

Rovers had three first-team players go off injured in their last game – defender Dale Bennett, midfielder Sam Wedgbury and winger Anthony Jeffrey – so will be forced into changes.

*BS*TOP SCORERS*BF*
Whites’ top scorer in the league is Ricky Miller with twenty goals, two ahead of Stefan Payne and six more than Nicky Deverdics.

Forest Green’s top scorer in the league this season is Jon Parkin, who has found the back of the net on thirteen occasions thus far.

*BS*COVERAGE*BF*
The best place to see Saturday’s big game is at Crabble, but for supporters unable to make the game, our Live Text service on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – will be running as usual.

*BS*VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES*BF*
*IS*Saturday 30th April, 5.30pm*IF*
Barrow v Wrexham (11th vs 8th)
Braintree v Altrincham (5th vs 22nd)
Bromley v Aldershot (13th vs 16th)
Cheltenham v Lincoln City (1st vs 12th)
Chester v Gateshead (17th vs 9th)
Dover v Forest Green (4th vs 2nd)
Halifax v Macclesfield (20th vs 10th)
Guiseley v Torquay (21st vs 18th)
Southport v Kidderminster (15th vs 23rd)
Tranmere v Grimsby (6th vs 3rd)
Welling v Boreham Wood (24th vs 19th)
Woking v Eastleigh (14th vs 7th)

*BS*Whites defender Tyrone Sterling says it is great that the club has sealed their playoff spot – but promises there will be no taking their foot off the gas this weekend in their final match of the regular season.*BF*

Forest Green Rovers come to Crabble this Saturday, in a 5.30pm kick-off, having already guaranteed second place in the table. They sacked manager Ady Pennock today (Wednesday), meaning there is an extra angle on the weekend’s game – but Whites know what their job is.

Win, and Chris Kinnear’s men could finish in third – something that would keep the momentum up. That, according to Sterling, could be key: “We go into every game trying to win. The gaffer and Jake have made that very clear to us – on Saturday, against Forest Green, we want to pick up the three points and go into the playoffs on a high.

“There will be no resting up for this game – there’s still a lot to play for.”

Whites’ playoff spot was booked after the 1-1 draw against Kidderminster Harriers last weekend, but Sterling admits the side initially weren’t sure if they had done enough: “When the whistle blew, we didn’t know at the time that we were definitely in there. However, we soon realised when we saw the reaction of our supporters – who had been brilliant throughout the game.”

“We’ve worked hard all season long and we deserve to be where we are. It’s a really happy camp right now. People say there is no pressure on us in the playoffs, and in one sense that’s right, but as players we will be putting the pressure on ourselves – and that can be a good thing.

“We have expectations of ourselves and of each other and we are determined to win promotion together.

“There is no preferable side to play in the playoffs – whoever we get, and whether we are at home first or second, that’s absolutely fine.”

Sterling was named as both Supporters’ Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season in the last campaign, but found this season tougher going because of injuries he has sustained. He said: “It’s been a bit of a tough season for me, which has been disrupted by injury at times. However, if I get the nod from here on in then I’m determined to do my best to help us achieve what we know we are capable of.”

The former Dartford man recently signed a new deal to keep him at Crabble until the end of the 2016/17 season – and said he was delighted to stay: “The decision to sign a new contract here was an easy one to make. Where else would I want to play my football? I’m happy, smiling – and looking forward to the next couple of weeks and next season.”