Dover Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of striker Sonny Fish from Torquay United.

The 22-year-old arrives at the Megger Community Stadium to further strengthen Jake Leberl’s attacking options ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Born in Southend-on-Sea, Fish began his senior career with Redbridge after spending time in the youth setups at AFC Sudbury and Aveley. His performances earned him a move into the professional game with Leyton Orient in February 2022.

The 6ft 2in forward later gained further senior experience during a loan spell with Bowers & Pitsea before joining Crawley Town on a two-year deal in August 2023.

While with Crawley, Fish continued his development through loan moves across the National League system, representing Worthing, Tonbridge Angels, Welling United, Gateshead and Solihull Moors.

His most productive spell came at Welling during the second half of the 2023/24 season, where he scored six times in ten league appearances.

Fish joined Torquay United following his departure from Crawley in the summer of 2025. After an injury-delayed start to his time at Plainmoor, he went on to make his debut in October and scored his first goal for the Gulls during a victory over Chesham United.

A powerful and hard-working centre-forward, Fish has also represented Wales at under-18 level, making two appearances in 2022.

Sonny will now link up with his new teammates as preparations continue for the new season.

Welcome to Dover, Sonny!

(Subject to FA clearances)

Don’t miss your chance to sponsor Sonny this season. Home £100, Away £90, Home and Away £180. To purchase, please contact the office by phone on 01304822373, or alternatively pop into reception on a matchday.

Dover Athletic continued their preparations for the new season with a deserved 1–0 victory over Burgess Hill Town at the Megger Community Stadium, as Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite’s second-half header proved the difference between the two sides.

The Whites made a solid start and immediately looked to play on the front foot. Trialist B was presented with an early opportunity to drive towards goal, only for former Dover defender Luca Cocoracchio to step across and bring the run to an end. Burgess Hill then threatened to break at the opposite end, but Beadle produced an important last-ditch challenge to halt the visitors’ attack.

Sheriff found space in a promising central position after ten minutes, although the flag was raised for offside before he could seriously test the goalkeeper. Dover continued to press aggressively as Burgess Hill attempted to play out from the back, frequently forcing their opponents into rushed passes and hurried clearances.

The first major opportunity arrived in the 17th minute when Baptiste delivered a dangerous, whipped cross into the penalty area. The visiting goalkeeper was unable to hold it cleanly, but Dover could not bundle the loose ball over the line. Another delivery flashed across the face of goal moments later, with nobody able to provide the decisive touch.

Following the first hydration break, play was halted again when Oyenuga required treatment. He was unable to continue and was replaced on the half-hour mark by Roman Charles-Cook.

Burgess Hill attempted to capitalise on a Dover corner four minutes later, launching a quick counter-attack, but Charles-Cook recovered well and calmly dealt with the danger. Dover soon returned to the offensive and came close to opening the scoring when Sheriff unleashed a powerful strike, forcing the visiting goalkeeper to beat the ball away with strong palms.

Onu was next to threaten after Bakrin picked him out with an excellent searching pass. The forward moved into a dangerous position, but the goalkeeper spread himself well and made the save with his feet. Despite Dover enjoying the better opportunities and carrying the greater attacking threat, the teams went into the interval level at 0–0.

Leberl made three changes at the break, introducing Momodou Jallow, Trent Rendall and Sesay in place of Beadle, Trialist B and Ezenwanne. The Whites began the second half sharply, with Jallow immediately producing a quick first-time delivery into the box. Baptiste met it but was unable to direct his effort towards goal.

Baptiste continued to make his presence felt, winning possession back strongly in midfield before holding off two defenders and earning Dover a corner. Onu then came within inches of breaking the deadlock when he almost rounded the advancing goalkeeper, but the slightest touch from the stopper diverted the ball wide.

Charles-Cook provided another dangerous delivery shortly before the hour mark, chipping the ball towards Baptiste inside the area. A Burgess Hill defender intervened at the crucial moment and headed behind for a corner.

Two further changes followed on the hour as Wilson-Braithwaite and Kola Salami replaced Jones and Trialist A. The substitution quickly paid off, with Wilson-Braithwaite giving Dover the lead just two minutes after his introduction. The midfielder attacked a corner inside the penalty area and powered a header beyond the goalkeeper to make it 1–0.

Burgess Hill struggled to create a response, with their next attempted counter-attack halted by an offside flag. Walker had been largely untroubled throughout the opening 75 minutes, while Dover continued to pose a threat from set pieces. Wilson-Braithwaite nearly doubled both his and Dover’s tally when he again met a corner, sending his effort narrowly off target.

Rendall produced a firm defensive intervention as the visitors attempted to take advantage of a fortunate deflection from a Dover clearance. The defender was called upon again moments later when Walker was caught short after coming from his goal. The ball threatened to roll over the line, but Rendall reacted quickly and swept it away before Burgess Hill could equalise.

The visitors applied their strongest spell of pressure during the closing stages, briefly pinning Dover inside their own defensive third. Their best opportunity arrived in the 89th minute when an acrobatic effort was directed towards goal, but Walker was alert and made a strong save to preserve his clean sheet.

Dover saw out the remaining minutes to secure a 1–0 victory in their latest pre-season test. Wilson-Braithwaite’s goal separated the sides, while the Whites produced another encouraging performance ahead of the new campaign.

Dover return to the Megger Community Stadium on Tuesday evening, when Herne Bay visit for the club’s penultimate pre-season fixture.

Dover Athletic: Walker (c), Oyenuga, Jones, Beadle, Ezenwanne, Bakrin, Trialist A, Baptiste, Sheriff, Onu, Trialist B.

Substitutes: Bartlett, Charles-Cook, Rendall, Wilson-Braithwaite, Sesay, Jallow, Salami.

Dover Athletic continued their pre-season preparations with a 2–1 victory over Deal Town at the Megger Community Stadium, with goals from Rolando Onu and George Wilkinson securing another valuable run-out for Jake Leberl’s side.

The Whites started brightly, although Deal offered an early threat through a series of aerial deliveries. Play was briefly halted inside the opening five minutes after Dover’s trialist left-back suffered a head injury, but he was able to return with his head heavily bandaged.

Deal came close to opening the scoring from a ninth-minute corner, forcing Dover to clear the ball off the line. At the other end, Luke Baptiste began to cause problems down the left, first seeing an effort headed away before it could reach the target and then forcing Deal goalkeeper Tonkin into a diving save.

Mitch Walker was called into action after 20 minutes when Deal found a route in behind the Dover defence. The goalkeeper reacted quickly to smother the initial opportunity, with the rebound dropping narrowly wide of the post.

Dover made the breakthrough a minute later. A quick throw lead to a scramble inside the Deal penalty area and Onu reacted quickest, forcing the loose ball home to give the Whites a 1–0 lead.

Deal continued to search for a response and Walker was required to protect his near post shortly before the half-hour mark. Dover then created another opportunity following a quickly taken free-kick, with Euan Williams slipping Onu through on goal, but the forward dragged his final effort narrowly wide.

John Oyenuga and Williams combined well on the flank as Dover won a corner, from which Jalen Jones arrived at the back post before Deal managed to head the danger clear. The visitors sent a long-range effort just over the crossbar before Baptiste received the first yellow card of the evening, but Dover remained in front at the interval.

Dover made two changes at the break, introducing Enyinnaya Ezenwanne and Trialist B in place of Trialist A and Williams. Wilkinson registered the first opportunity of the second half, firing narrowly over from outside the area, before Ezenwanne delivered a dangerous low cross that Tonkin gathered just ahead of Decarrey Sheriff.

Dover doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute. The trialist forward held the ball up well before laying it back towards the edge of the box, where Wilkinson arrived to strike a composed first-time finish beyond Tonkin.

Further changes followed shortly after the hour mark, with Momodou Jallow, Nazir Bakrin and Roman Charles-Cook replacing Jones, Trent Rendall and Oyenuga. Walker then dealt comfortably with a tame effort from distance before Kola Salami was introduced in place of Onu.

Deal continued to look for a way back into the contest, although Ezenwanne produced a calm piece of defending to halt a counter-attack with 15 minutes remaining. Wilkinson’s evening came to an end shortly afterwards as an academy trialist entered the action.

The visitors reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, converting despite strong appeals from the Dover defence for offside. Harry Beadle was booked a minute later as Deal looked to build momentum during the closing stages.

Dover nearly restored their two-goal advantage through a quick move involving Sheriff and Charles-Cook, but the resulting ball into the area was collected by the Deal goalkeeper. Three additional minutes were played, with the Whites successfully seeing out the remainder of the contest to claim a 2–1 victory.

An attendance of 498 watched Dover record another positive pre-season result ahead of Saturday’s home fixture against Burgess Hill Town.

Dover Athletic

Starting XI: Walker, Oyenuga, Jones, Beadle, Trialist A, Rendall, Wilkinson, Williams, Baptiste, Sheriff, Onu.

Substitutes: Bartlett, Bakrin, Jallow, Ezenwanne, Charles-Cook, Salami, Trialist B, Trialist C, Academy Trialist.

Dover Athletic are delighted to confirm that Roman Charles-Cook has been retained ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Now entering his fourth season with the club, Roman has already made more than 100 appearances in White despite still being only 22 years old.

The defender joined Dover during the 2023/24 campaign from Sutton United’s academy, having previously gained senior experience during loan spells with Cray Wanderers and Harrow Borough.

Roman quickly established himself as a regular at Crabble, making 32 appearances during the club’s 23/24 National League South campaign before playing an important role at right-back as the Whites secured promotion from the Isthmian Premier Division.

He made a further 42 appearances last season, underlining his consistency and importance to Jake Leberl’s squad.

Roman will now continue his journey with the club as preparations build towards the new National League South season.

Don’t miss your chance to sponsor Roman this season. Home £100, Away £90, Home and Away £180. To purchase, please contact the office by phone on 01304822373, or alternatively pop into reception on a matchday.

Dover Athletic are delighted to confirm the signing of defender Trent Rendall.

The versatile defender arrives at the Megger Community Stadium with considerable experience across both the National League and National League South.

Rendall began his career in Arsenal’s academy before joining Queens Park Rangers in 2014. During his time at QPR, he gained senior experience through loan spells with Eastbourne Borough, Gloucester City, Eastleigh and Braintree Town.

He joined Dagenham & Redbridge in the summer of 2024 and went on to make 33 appearances in the National League during his first season with the Daggers. Rendall remained with the club following their relegation and featured 23 times in the National League South last season.

A strong and physical defender, Rendall has previously highlighted leadership and communication as two of the key qualities he brings to a side. He now becomes the latest addition to Jake Leberl’s squad ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Welcome to Dover Athletic, Trent!

(Subject to FA clearances)

Don’t miss your chance to sponsor Trent this season. Home £100, Away £90, Home and Away £180. To purchase, please contact the office by phone on 01304822373, or alternatively pop into reception on a matchday.

Dover Athletic are delighted to confirm that academy goalkeeper Lewis Bartlett has signed a first-team terms ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Lewis has featured throughout pre-season, gaining valuable experience alongside the senior squad and continuing his development under Jake Leberl and the first-team coaching staff.

The young goalkeeper has impressed with his performances, attitude and commitment, earning the opportunity to make the step up from the Dover Athletic Academy.

Lewis will wear the number 13 shirt this season and provide cover for Mitch Walker as he continues his progression within the first-team environment.

His promotion is another positive example of the pathway being created between the Academy and senior football at Dover Athletic.

Don’t miss your chance to sponsor Lewis this season. Home £100, Away £90, Home and Away £180. To purchase, please contact the office by phone on 01304822373, or alternatively pop into reception on a matchday.

Dover Athletic can confirm two additions to Jake Leberl’s first-team backroom staff, with Russell Pope joining as coach and analyst and Luke Fryer appointed as the club’s new physiotherapist.

The appointments further strengthen the support available to the first-team squad as preparations continue for the 2026/27 campaign.

Pope returns to Crabble with extensive experience across senior football, elite women’s football and academy development pathways. A UEFA B-licensed coach, Russell has spent the past four years working in Norway, most recently as first-team assistant coach and player developer with Røa Fotball Elite. During his time in Norway, he worked within senior football while also leading academy programmes and supporting the progression of players towards elite levels of the game.

He is already familiar with Dover Athletic, having previously worked with the club as a first-team performance analyst during the 2020/21 season and as an assistant coach within the under-14 setup. Russell has also served as Head of Academy Performance Analysis at Sutton United and Director of Analytics for the University of North Carolina Wilmington women’s soccer programme.

Alongside his role at Dover, he is currently first-team manager of Herne Bay Women.

The club can also confirm the appointment of Luke Fryer as first-team physiotherapist. Luke recently completed his BSc Physiotherapy Degree Apprenticeship at the University of East London, having trained within a private musculoskeletal physiotherapy clinic.

He brings four years of experience providing pitch-side physiotherapy and first-aid support across school, academy and competitive sporting environments. Luke previously worked with Saracens Rugby Club’s academy, providing pitch-side medical support during training sessions and matches, conducting concussion screenings and assisting with injury assessment and onward treatment. He also spent several years at The King’s School, Canterbury, where he coached a range of sports and provided pitch-side physiotherapy and first-aid support for rugby teams from under-14 to under-18 level.

Russell and Luke have now joined Jake Leberl’s backroom team and will work alongside the existing staff throughout pre-season and the forthcoming National League South campaign.

Everyone at Dover Athletic would like to welcome Russell and Luke to the club.

Dover Athletic were handed a demanding pre-season test as League Two side Gillingham claimed a 3–0 victory at the Megger Community Stadium. Goals from Harris, Dayal and Gale secured the win for the visitors, although the final score did not fully reflect a disciplined defensive performance from the Whites.

Jake Leberl’s side were placed under pressure from the opening exchanges as Gillingham began the contest at a high tempo. The visitors launched a quick counterattack following an early Dover free-kick, with Baptiste forced to bring down the advancing runner as Gillingham threatened to break through. Another foul in midfield followed shortly afterwards as the visitors continued to control possession and push Dover back.

Dover’s first promising opening arrived after 10 minutes when Sheriff looked to race onto a ball through the Gillingham defence, but a well-timed challenge from the visitors’ number eight prevented the forward from getting a clear sight of goal.

Gillingham took the lead three minutes later. A misplaced Dover pass was collected on the left-hand side by Harris, who drove forward, created space and curled an excellent finish into the bottom corner beyond Walker.

The goal allowed the visitors to settle further into the contest, with Dover spending much of the opening half defending inside their own territory. Walker gathered a low effort from Albarus after Theodore had advanced down the right and worked the ball into the midfielder, while Baptiste attempted to force an opportunity at the other end after the Gillingham goalkeeper spilled possession. The Dover forward committed fully to the challenge but was penalised for a foul.

Bakrin and Beadle then combined effectively to halt another Gillingham attack as the visitors continued to search for a second goal. Gillingham were forced into an early change after 27 minutes, with Booth replacing Dack, but the alteration did little to disrupt the visitors’ rhythm.

Theodore fired narrowly wide after a blocked effort fell kindly inside the Dover half, before another Gillingham attempt drifted away from the target as the pressure continued. Although the Whites remained limited going forward, Leberl’s side defended with determination and kept the deficit at one.

Walker was called into action again in the closing stages of the half, reacting sharply to tip a deflected effort over the crossbar. The Dover goalkeeper then produced another impressive stop moments later, diving well to hold Booth’s headed effort following a cross into the penalty area.

Gillingham thought they had doubled their advantage shortly before the interval when Palmer-Houlden found the net following a corner, but the assistant referee raised the flag for offside. Dover therefore went into the break trailing by a single goal, with the Whites having remained organised despite long spells of Gillingham possession.

Gillingham made wholesale changes at half-time, fielding an almost entirely different side for the second period, while Booth remained on the pitch.

The visitors doubled their advantage six minutes after the restart following an unfortunate defensive error from Dover. A soft back-pass was intercepted by Dayal, who kept his composure and guided the ball beyond Walker from the left side of the penalty area.

Dover responded by making their first changes on the hour. Jallow and Wilkinson were replaced by Williams and a Trialist, before Salami entered the action in place of Onu two minutes later. Salami immediately provided Dover with an additional attacking threat and went close to reducing the deficit midway through the half.

The forward collected possession outside the penalty area, turned and struck from distance, with his floating effort travelling narrowly over the crossbar. Dover made two further substitutions after 72 minutes, with Oyenuga and Sheriff making way for two Trialists.

Gillingham remained dangerous and almost added a third when Hale found space inside the Dover penalty area, but his scuffed effort rolled wide of Walker’s right-hand post. The visitors did eventually score their third goal with 12 minutes remaining.

Little delivered a corner-kick towards the far post, where Gale arrived late and produced an excellent volley across goal and into the opposite corner. Jadama and Bartlett were introduced for Beadle and Walker during the closing stages, giving both players valuable pre-season minutes.

Despite the three-goal deficit, Dover continued to push for a consolation and nearly found one in the 87th minute.

Williams showed good awareness to lay the ball into the path of a Trialist, who opened his body and attempted to curl an effort towards the far corner. The shot travelled narrowly wide, with MacLorg rooted to the spot.

That proved to be the final opportunity of the evening as Gillingham completed a comfortable victory in their opening pre-season fixture. For Dover, the match provided another valuable opportunity to build fitness and test themselves against Football League opposition ahead of the new National League South campaign.

Dover Athletic

Walker (Bartlett 83), Oyenuga (Trialist 72), Ezenwanne, Trialist, Beadle (Jadama 83), Bakrin, Jallow (Trialist 60), Wilkinson (Williams 60), Baptiste, Sheriff (Trialist 72), Onu (Salami 62).

Gillingham — First Half

Holtam, Theodore, Dobbs, Gordon, Smith, Harris, Albarus, Waldock, Trialist, Dack (Booth 27), Palmer-Houlden.

Gillingham — Second Half

MacLorg, Gale, McKenzie, Beckles, Brophy, Khumbeni, Little, Dayal, Hale, Goodwin, Booth (Webster 62).

Attendance: 537.

Dover Athletic continued their positive pre-season preparations with a 3-1 victory over Cray Wanderers at the Megger Community Stadium. Goals from Decarrey Sheriff, Luke Baptiste and Euan Williams saw the Whites come from behind after Ade Yussuf had given the visitors an early lead from the penalty spot.

Played in bright sunshine at Crabble, the contest began with plenty of physicality as both sides competed strongly in midfield during the opening exchanges. Cray were handed the first major opportunity after seven minutes when Adaja was brought down inside the Dover penalty area. Yussuf stepped forward and confidently converted the resulting spot-kick to give the visitors an early advantage.

The away side almost added another shortly afterwards when a wide free-kick was met inside the Dover box, but the resulting header drifted wide of Mitch Walker’s post. Dover’s response was swift, however, and the scores were level after 14 minutes. Sheriff reacted well to latch on to a ball played over the Cray defence before keeping his composure, rounding the goalkeeper and finishing into the empty net.

The Whites began to take greater control following the equaliser, enjoying a sustained spell of pressure and forcing a couple of corners. Kola Salami was given the chance to drive into the penalty area, although the forward was unable to keep the ball in play.

A hydration break followed midway through the half as the sun continued to shine across Crabble.

When play resumed, Rolando Onu caused problems down the flank, beating his man before cutting the ball back towards Salami. Cray recovered well and did enough to prevent the Dover forward from getting a shot away. The hosts continued to move the ball confidently around the edge of the penalty area, putting together an impressive passing move without managing to apply the finishing touch.

Dover’s pressure eventually produced a second goal in the 34th minute. Sheriff won a free-kick in a dangerous central position and Baptiste stepped up to take responsibility. The midfielder struck a low, curling effort beyond the wall and into the bottom corner, completing Dover’s turnaround and giving Jake Leberl’s side a 2-1 lead.

Baptiste attempted to repeat the trick five minutes later from another set-piece, but his second effort cleared the crossbar.

Cray remained a threat on the counterattack and went close to an equaliser shortly before half-time. Good link-up play between Yussuf and Ola Ogunwamide released Alex Hernandez, whose dipping strike flew narrowly past Walker’s left-hand post.

Dover therefore entered the interval with a deserved 2-1 advantage, Sheriff having cancelled out Cray’s early penalty before Baptiste’s free-kick put the Whites ahead.

Nazir Bakrin replaced Harry Beadle at the break, while a trialist was also introduced in place of Salami.

The visitors started the second period brightly and Walker was required to produce an excellent diving save five minutes after the restart. Ogunwamide found space to shoot, but the Dover goalkeeper reacted sharply to push the effort around the post for a corner.

Cray continued to create several half-chances as the hour mark approached, although Dover defended well and restricted the visitors to efforts from distance and difficult positions.

Leberl made a number of changes after 63 minutes, introducing Jalen Jones, Euan Williams, Enyinnaya Ezenwanne and several trialists as the manager continued to give minutes to his squad.

Jones was quickly involved in the attacking area, meeting a delivery at the back post and heading the ball back across goal, although there was not enough power behind the effort to trouble the goalkeeper. Williams was then presented with an opportunity to round the Cray keeper, but the visitors recovered in time to prevent a clear shot at goal.

Cray remained competitive and sent an effort over the crossbar with 12 minutes remaining, but Dover looked increasingly comfortable as the match entered its closing stages.

The Whites secured the victory in the 83rd minute when Williams added the third goal. The midfielder found the net to cap an encouraging second-half appearance and give Dover a two-goal cushion.

Academy goalkeeper Bartlett replaced Walker between the posts shortly afterwards, before George Wilkinson made way for an academy trialist in the final minutes.

Two minutes of additional time were played, but there was to be no further scoring as Dover completed another valuable pre-season test with a 3-1 victory.

The Whites return to action at Crabble on Tuesday evening when they welcome League Two side Gillingham.

Dover Athletic

Starting XI: Walker, Oyenuga, Trialist A, Beadle, Trialist B, Jallow, Wilkinson, Baptiste, Sheriff, Onu, Salami.

Substitutes: Bartlett, Trialist C, Bakrin, Jones, Ezenwanne, Williams, Trialist D, Trialist E, Trialist F.