We open our brand new sensory room.

Over the last couple of months, I have been working alongside Patrick Verrill, to create a matchday sensory room/quiet space at Crabble. Having a son with autism and also being the Chairman of the Dover, Deal and Shepway National Autistic Society, Patrick was very keen to see if there was something that could be achieved at the club. I myself, have come into the Community Engagement & Inclusion role, with over 10 years experience working in a primary school with a special educational needs provision, so was hugely aware of how this project could benefit so many people, not just children.

We chose Saturday 4th November to be the official opening, with 50 guests, children with autism and their families, being invited to the match against Hampton & Richmond Borough.

It would seem, that whenever I plan to have any type of community event at Crabble, it comes with torrential rain… However, the dreadful weather was not going to stop us from going ahead with our launch and neither did it put off our guests. They had exclusive use of the Hospitality Suite for the day, as well as being able to visit the sensory room prior to the official opening. Whilst in the Hospitality Suite, our guests were visited by the Dover Athletic players, who took the time to come and meet the children and talk to them. I’d like to say a huge thank you to them for adding something extra to the day.

Just after 2pm, saw the official opening of the sensory room. I would like to thank Cllr Kevin Mills for coming to cut the ribbon and open the room. Thanks also needs to go to Kelvin Newell, Kent FA, and to Faye Hackwell, BBC Radio Kent, for travelling down to be part of the day.

With the match given the go ahead, the last thing to do was for the mascot of the group Charlie, to go out with the teams onto the pitch. Having had earlier conversations with both team captains and the officials, they were aware that Charlie would be wearing ear defenders and kindly agreed to also wear them for a photo with the mascot. A massive thank you for supporting both Charlie and our day.

Weather and the result on the pitch aside, Saturday was a huge success, that could only be made possible by the army of people in the background, helping with the smallest of jobs, so thank you to you all. I am pleased to say that the room was used numerous times throughout the match, which goes to show that this is definitely needed.

With the room now official open, this project will continue to grow and evolve, as it will need to be continually adapted to cater for the needs of those using it, which as with everything, comes with a cost. The events that the Community Trust will be running over the next few months will help raise funds for this, however, should anyone or any local businesses wish to donate anything for use in the room, then please do get in contact via email [email protected]

For anyone wishing to use the room on a matchday, please drop me an email. This also goes for away fans travelling to our ground, you will also be welcome to use our facility.

Vikki – Community Engagement & Inclusion Officer

The Whites fall to a sucker punch from the visitors. – This weeks match report was written by Fred Deveson.

Dover might have lost but even before the game had started, it was all hanging in the balance. Heavy rain poured over Dover, and it was a late call as to whether the game would go ahead or not, but despite the torrential rain, the referee decided that conditions were good enough and play started.

Dover started the game well, securing possession and pinning Hampton and Richmond back in their own half for the first few minutes of the game. Paris Lock started on the right and looked lively, with his blistering pace proving difficult to contain for the away side, who sat in a playoff spot coming into the game. The visitors always had a threat in behind and this did cause Dover some wobbles early on, but Naylor and Ojemen made a solid start to the game in defence and cleaned up nicely, despite the tricky conditions.

As the first half wore on, the game got scrappier, but Dover were still largely on top, rattling the bar mid-way through the first half. Hatcher and Sutherland had a couple of shots saved and blocked by the resolute defence of Hampton and Richmond but that was largely the peak of the action for the first half. A couple of rough challenges flew in and as the away side were coming back into the game more, the Dover defence began to look slightly more nervous with Ojemen picking up a yellow card which meant he had to be much more cautious in the second half. An early substitution for the promotion chasing Londoners brought a new look to their attack and the substitute Donaldson was lively, but nothing more.

The second half kicked off and conditions did not improve. The rain hammered down and the ball was skidding off the surface which made the in-behind threat of Hampton even greater. Dover, like the first half, were solid and were lively. The crowd were seeing encouraging signs and it seemed that soon, Dover may convert one of their chances. Corners flew in and out and Zidan Sutherland looked lively playing off the left and combining with Sesay, but each attack was met by a low and compact block which proved impossible to break down come the final whistle.

Around the hour mark, Mitch Brundle made a change which saw Baptiste come on in a bid to add some more creativity in the hopes of finding a breakthrough, but it was the visitors who drew first blood. A scrappy piece of play in the penalty area ended with a finish off the bar from Jake Gray and The Whites were in all sorts of trouble. The game remained largely lifeless from then on, with substitutes Nikaj and Dembele desperate to make an impact.

It wasn’t until the final minutes of the game that Dover piled on the pressure and sought a breakthrough which on the basis of the rest of the match, they deserved. A simple ball over the top which Dembele chased, led to the Hampton and Richmond goalkeeper missing his clearance completely. The Dover man was pulled back and the defender saw red; a late lifeline for Dover, however the free kick was tame and rolled into the gloves of the grateful Desbois. That was not all, as another ball from the back had Zidan Sutherland in on the left. A slip from a Hampton and Richmond player was controversially given as a free kick as Zidan was alleged to have fouled his man, much to the anger of the home faithful, and the game was brought to a close shortly after by the referee.

Despite the loss and controversial decisions going against The Whites, it was a promising afternoon for Dover who threatened well, but just lacked the cutting edge as the visitors took all three points and move up to third in the league, while Dover sit in the drop zone, with relegation rivals Welling up next.

Dover Athletic: Terrell, Oyenuga, Naylor, Ojemen, Sesay, Dunne, Young, Anifowose, Hatcher, Zidan, Lock

Subs: Baptiste, Nikaj, Dembele, Holness, Powell

Hampton & Richmond Borough: Desbois, Thomas, Inman, Fernandes, Seymour, Gray, Wishart, Deadfield, Hunt, Pitblado, Bloomfield

Subs: Donaldson, Whittingham, Cheadle, Solomon, Kurran-Browne

Attendance: 482

Hampton & Richmond head to town

The Whites look to get back on track when Hampton & Richmond Borough head to the Megger Community Stadium in what looks to be another fascinating clash in the Vanarama National League South.

Borough have been on a scintillating run of form of late, winning five of their last five league matches, including a terrific 4-1 victory over play-off favourites Worthing and a 3-1 victory over Torquay United last time out. Dover will be looking to get back on an even keel following last weeks defeat away to Farnborough Town, and will be looking for that long awaited home win in the league.

The games start to come thick and fast this month so strap yourselves in as we aim to pick up vital points that will help us start climbing the league. Henry Young is back from his suspension but Iffy Allen will begin his, following his dismissal last time out.

Form Guide:

Head to Head: 

We still have players available to sponsor, an updated list will be in Saturdays match day programme. If you are interested click HERE

Ticket Information:

Admission for this match is by turnstile only. We accept both card and cash on the gate.

Adults – £17

Over 60 – £15

Under 18 – £9

Under 11s continue to be free with paying adult

We are also offering a five game ticket. These can only be used by one individual per match and not in groups.

Adult – £75 (£10 saving)
Concession – £65 (£10 saving)

Latest Striker results for Wednesday 1st November

Congratulations to all the winners and better luck next time if your name wasn’t drawn out. It could well be your time next week.

For anyone who doesn’t know how the Striker Lottery works well let me explain if for you. Each week, so long as you have paid your £1 weekly subscription, your number will be entered into a draw. If your number is drawn, congratulations – you’re a winner! It’s as simple as that. The draw is held every Wednesday. Keep an eye on the website and social media pages for full details. Who knows, your number could scoop the £1,000 top prize.

Please note that only paid-for tickets are entered in the draw. For your convenience, your membership fee can be collected from you, or you can pay at the Club Office or, to save time, you can pay monthly or quarterly by standing order.

Contact [email protected] to register your interest and good luck

Our Kent Senior Cup match against Beckenham Town tonight has been cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch, with more heavy rain due through the evening. We will update you in due course with a re-arranged date.

Our website has been down over the last week but now its up and running again, so what have we missed?

Well last Saturday saw us hold our second community day prior to the match against Hemel Hempstead town. We had hundreds of youngsters come and join in the fun with face painting, games and a junior disco, which was held in the Centre Spot. We certainly didn’t let the adverse weather stop the fun as we opened our doors to the wider community.

Following the fun, over 1600 spectators watched as the Whites played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Hemel Hempstead Town. A Nick Dembele and Zidan Sutherland goal was cruelly wiped off the headlines with a 95th minute penalty for the visitors dampening the mood.

Just two days later and Dover were in action again as they headed to Essex to play Chelmsford City. It was another frenetic match that saw the Whites take the lead three times, only to be pegged back each time by the hosts, ending in a 3-3 draw.

The Whites tasted their first defeat in the league since the first week of September when they travelled to Farnborough on Saturday. It was a 4-0 defeat that came out of nowhere following some great performances of late but its back to the drawing board as Dover look to get back to winning ways tomorrow in the Kent Senior Cup away to Beckenham Town. This is followed by a game on Saturday against Hampton & Richmond.

As usual, check the website for more information and be sure to keep your eyes peeled on the socials for all things Dover Athletic.

Twitter – @DoverAthletic @DAFCLiveText

Facebook – Dover Athletic FC

Instagram – @Doverathleticfc