*BS*Friday will feel like Christmas Eve for many Dover supporters, full of excitement ahead of the new league season.*BF*

However, experience will tell Chris Kinnear that his team will need to be fully focused against a club that has been full of surprises over the last two seasons.

Whites make their first voyage to Gosport Borough since 1989 on Saturday, quite literally for those who travel by train and take the ferry from Portsmouth, unsure of what to expect from the Skrill South newcomers.

What is clear is that Gosport are not going to lack experience at this level. For a club that has gained two straight promotions via play-offs, many people will be surprised by the level of experience they have throughout their squad.

Midfielder Sammy Igoe will be a familiar name to many, the 37 year-old having played around 500 Football League games in a 16 year professional career. He knows this league, having played two seasons for Havant & Waterlooville until 2012 when he signed for Gosport.

*Q1*In addition, former Eastleigh players Andy Forbes (striker), Jamie Brown (midfielder) and Justin Bennett (striker) have more than 10 years experience and know this division well.

There is a dash of youth in the team but a large proportion of their squad are over 25 years old. The average age of their squad on Saturday will almost certainly be two or three years older than Chris Kinnear’s side.

Gosport have had a successful pre-season campaign, only losing one match to Bognor Regis 1-0. Their main concern will be that they have yet to keep a clean sheet and defence is perhaps the only area where they lack significant experience.

Gosport manager Alex Pike told his club’s official website: “Nobody knows what is going to happen; we could end up getting promotion or we could end up fighting against relegation.

“Like last season, we are an unknown quantity and an exciting one at that. I’ve got some experienced players in my squad that know how to win games at this level.

*Lpic1*”I wouldn’t be manager of this football club if there was not a vision to go forward and the aim was just to survive.

“People laughed at us last season but we surprised people and our aim will be to do exactly the same again.”

Pike has been manager at Privett Park since 2005 when they were in the Wessex League. He won the title in 2006/07, his first full season in charge, and stuck with the club despite an enforced £0 budget in 2008 after they lost key sponsorship deals due to the recession.

Pike stablised the club and squad, building them towards a second place finish in the Southern League South & West division in 2012. A certain Steve Claridge scored to help ‘Boro’ win the play-offs and return to the Premier division for the first time since 1990.

Last season saw them reach the play-offs again, sneaking in on the final day of the season after a bad start saw them low in the table. Stourbridge were beaten in the semi-final before a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory against Hemel Hempstead sealed promotion.

Dover boss Chris Kinnear has a full squad to choose from except midfielder Liam Bellamy, out for several weeks after an injury in pre-season. It is early days for his new team to gel and this won’t be an easy start for them. I’m sure the players, like the supporters, can’t wait to get going!

*BS*Are you travelling to Gosport?*BF* *Link1*

*Link2*

*BS*Friday will feel like Christmas Eve for many Dover supporters, full of excitement ahead of the new league season.*BF*

However, experience will tell Chris Kinnear that his team will need to be fully focused against a club that has been full of surprises over the last two seasons.

Whites make their first voyage to Gosport Borough since 1989 on Saturday, quite literally for those who travel by train and take the ferry from Portsmouth, unsure of what to expect from the Skrill South newcomers.

What is clear is that Gosport are not going to lack experience at this level. For a club that has gained two straight promotions via play-offs, many people will be surprised by the level of experience they have throughout their squad.

Midfielder Sammy Igoe will be a familiar name to many, the 37 year-old having played around 500 Football League games in a 16 year professional career. He knows this league, having played two seasons for Havant & Waterlooville until 2012 when he signed for Gosport.

*Q1*In addition, former Eastleigh players Andy Forbes (striker), Jamie Brown (midfielder) and Justin Bennett (striker) have more than 10 years experience and know this division well.

There is a dash of youth in the team but a large proportion of their squad are over 25 years old. The average age of their squad on Saturday will almost certainly be two or three years older than Chris Kinnear’s side.

Gosport have had a successful pre-season campaign, only losing one match to Bognor Regis 1-0. Their main concern will be that they have yet to keep a clean sheet and defence is perhaps the only area where they lack significant experience.

Gosport manager Alex Pike told his club’s official website: “Nobody knows what is going to happen; we could end up getting promotion or we could end up fighting against relegation.

“Like last season, we are an unknown quantity and an exciting one at that. I’ve got some experienced players in my squad that know how to win games at this level.

*Lpic1*”I wouldn’t be manager of this football club if there was not a vision to go forward and the aim was just to survive.

“People laughed at us last season but we surprised people and our aim will be to do exactly the same again.”

Pike has been manager at Privett Park since 2005 when they were in the Wessex League. He won the title in 2006/07, his first full season in charge, and stuck with the club despite an enforced £0 budget in 2008 after they lost key sponsorship deals due to the recession.

Pike stablised the club and squad, building them towards a second place finish in the Southern League South & West division in 2012. A certain Steve Claridge scored to help ‘Boro’ win the play-offs and return to the Premier division for the first time since 1990.

Last season saw them reach the play-offs again, sneaking in on the final day of the season after a bad start saw them low in the table. Stourbridge were beaten in the semi-final before a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory against Hemel Hempstead sealed promotion.

Dover boss Chris Kinnear has a full squad to choose from except midfielder Liam Bellamy, out for several weeks after an injury in pre-season. It is early days for his new team to gel and this won’t be an easy start for them. I’m sure the players, like the supporters, can’t wait to get going!

*BS*Are you travelling to Gosport?*BF* *Link1*

*Link2*

*BS*The Kent Senior Cup will celebrate its 125th anniversary season by taking the final back to Priestfield Stadium, home of Gillingham FC, to be played on the bank holiday of Monday 5th May 2014.*BF*

The PortableFloodlights.com Kent Senior Cup celebrates its 125th anniversary this season, having been first played in its current format in the 1888-1889 season with Chatham taking home the trophy in its first year. To celebrate the landmark anniversary, the final will return to Priestfield for the first time in two decades and be held on the May bank holiday weekend.
Priestfield, the home of Gillingham FC, is the largest football stadium in the county and home to the highest-ranked Kent club in the football pyramid.

Paul Scally, Gillingham FC Chairman, welcomed the Kent Senior Cup final to the ground; “We’re delighted to host the 125th Kent Senior Cup final at Priestfield and happy to be able play a part in the history of this competition. We’ll do our utmost to make both the competing teams feel welcome and give the final the occasion it deserves.”

Gillingham FC will again play in the Kent Senior Cup this year alongside other leading Kent clubs Dartford and Charlton Athletic, who still maintain their traditional affiliation to the Kent County FA. The Kent boundary historically ran all the way to Tower Bridge in London, and clubs that were previously affiliated are still welcome to affiliate and enter the Kent Senior Cup.

The opening rounds’ fixtures have now been released and have thrown up some exciting matches, with Dover hosting rivals Margate at Crabble, while Dartford travel to Welling and last season’s finalists Tonbridge face Ebbsfleet. Holders Charlton Athletic will travel to Folkestone Invicta to begin the defence of their crown, whilst League One club Gillingham FC visit Erith & Belvedere.

The opening games are scheduled for Wednesday 3rd September.

The Kent FA run 20 county cups each season, with the Senior Cup being the most prestigious of the competitions. PortableFloodlights.com will return as competition sponsors for the third season running. New logos have been commissioned for each of the cups this season, with a special anniversary edition of the Senior Cup for the 125th anniversary.

Paul Dolan, Chief Executive of the Kent FA explained the reasons behind the early announcement of the final venue; “In recent years the final has been hosted by one of the competing clubs, but for our 125th Anniversary final we wanted a marquee venue for the occasion. We’re very grateful to Paul Scally and the team at Gillingham for agreeing to host this occasion, and we’ll be making further announcements about celebration events to mark the 125th Anniversary as the season progresses.”

Dover face Margate at Crabble in the first round on 3rd September. The winner will play either Erith & Belvedere or Gillingham in the second round.

*BS*Dover Athletic have this week been informed that the production of both its first team kits and supporters replica shirts has been delayed.*BF*

Despite having worked on the new kits with Surridge Sport for months, the club have been let down by the supplier, who may not even be able to provide a first team kit by Saturday for the game at Gosport.

The club has also not been given a definitive arrival date for the replica shirts which have been pre-ordered by supporters.

Chairman Jim Parmenter said: “We have been in discussions with Surridge Sport about the production of the kit since last season. They had assured us that the move to manufacturing in the UK would alleviate the supply problems we had last year. This now seems not to be the case.

“While there has been a delay in printing caused by the Conference arranging a new league sponsor, we can see no reason for this causing an extended delay in manufacture. In fact we were assured by Surridge that the manufacture was already underway back in July.

“We would like to apologise to fans that have already pre-ordered a shirt, we understand and share your disappointment. We continue to talk to Surridge Sport to try and push for the earliest possible delivery date.

“Clearly, we will have to think long and hard about our relationship with Surridge Sport going forward, as this is the second season running that their service has been unacceptable.”

*BS*We will update supporters on the replica shirts arrival date as soon as we can.*BF*

*BS*The Kent Senior Cup will celebrate its 125th anniversary season by taking the final back to Priestfield Stadium, home of Gillingham FC, to be played on the bank holiday of Monday 5th May 2014.*BF*

The PortableFloodlights.com Kent Senior Cup celebrates its 125th anniversary this season, having been first played in its current format in the 1888-1889 season with Chatham taking home the trophy in its first year. To celebrate the landmark anniversary, the final will return to Priestfield for the first time in two decades and be held on the May bank holiday weekend.
Priestfield, the home of Gillingham FC, is the largest football stadium in the county and home to the highest-ranked Kent club in the football pyramid.

Paul Scally, Gillingham FC Chairman, welcomed the Kent Senior Cup final to the ground; “We’re delighted to host the 125th Kent Senior Cup final at Priestfield and happy to be able play a part in the history of this competition. We’ll do our utmost to make both the competing teams feel welcome and give the final the occasion it deserves.”

Gillingham FC will again play in the Kent Senior Cup this year alongside other leading Kent clubs Dartford and Charlton Athletic, who still maintain their traditional affiliation to the Kent County FA. The Kent boundary historically ran all the way to Tower Bridge in London, and clubs that were previously affiliated are still welcome to affiliate and enter the Kent Senior Cup.

The opening rounds’ fixtures have now been released and have thrown up some exciting matches, with Dover hosting rivals Margate at Crabble, while Dartford travel to Welling and last season’s finalists Tonbridge face Ebbsfleet. Holders Charlton Athletic will travel to Folkestone Invicta to begin the defence of their crown, whilst League One club Gillingham FC visit Erith & Belvedere.

The opening games are scheduled for Wednesday 3rd September.

The Kent FA run 20 county cups each season, with the Senior Cup being the most prestigious of the competitions. PortableFloodlights.com will return as competition sponsors for the third season running. New logos have been commissioned for each of the cups this season, with a special anniversary edition of the Senior Cup for the 125th anniversary.

Paul Dolan, Chief Executive of the Kent FA explained the reasons behind the early announcement of the final venue; “In recent years the final has been hosted by one of the competing clubs, but for our 125th Anniversary final we wanted a marquee venue for the occasion. We’re very grateful to Paul Scally and the team at Gillingham for agreeing to host this occasion, and we’ll be making further announcements about celebration events to mark the 125th Anniversary as the season progresses.”

Dover face Margate at Crabble in the first round on 3rd September. The winner will play either Erith & Belvedere or Gillingham in the second round.

*BS*Dover Athletic have this week been informed that the production of both its first team kits and supporters replica shirts has been delayed.*BF*

Despite having worked on the new kits with Surridge Sport for months, the club have been let down by the supplier, who may not even be able to provide a first team kit by Saturday for the game at Gosport.

The club has also not been given a definitive arrival date for the replica shirts which have been pre-ordered by supporters.

Chairman Jim Parmenter said: “We have been in discussions with Surridge Sport about the production of the kit since last season. They had assured us that the move to manufacturing in the UK would alleviate the supply problems we had last year. This now seems not to be the case.

“While there has been a delay in printing caused by the Conference arranging a new league sponsor, we can see no reason for this causing an extended delay in manufacture. In fact we were assured by Surridge that the manufacture was already underway back in July.

“We would like to apologise to fans that have already pre-ordered a shirt, we understand and share your disappointment. We continue to talk to Surridge Sport to try and push for the earliest possible delivery date.

“Clearly, we will have to think long and hard about our relationship with Surridge Sport going forward, as this is the second season running that their service has been unacceptable.”

*BS*We will update supporters on the replica shirts arrival date as soon as we can.*BF*

*BS*Dover Athletic are pleased to announce the signing of 31 year-old defender Terrell Forbes, who has 500 appearances for Football League clubs.*BF*

Forbes, who played for Chesterfield and Aldershot last season, is comfortable at right back or centre back and brings valuable experience to Chris Kinnear’s young squad.

Terrell came through the West Ham youth system, going on to play 114 times for QPR and make 163 appearances for Yeovil Town. Last season he made 28 appearances in League Two for Chesterfield and Aldershot.

Chris Kinnear talks to DAFCtv about his new signing and Tuesday’s encouraging pre-season friendly performance against Woking. Jason Burns also talks to Barry Cogan and Liam Bellamy:
[utube]

*IS*Video courtesy of Sorceress Productions.*IF*

*Link1*

*BS*Dover Athletic are pleased to announce the signing of 31 year-old defender Terrell Forbes, who has 500 appearances for Football League clubs.*BF*

Forbes, who played for Chesterfield and Aldershot last season, is comfortable at right back or centre back and brings valuable experience to Chris Kinnear’s young squad.

Terrell came through the West Ham youth system, going on to play 114 times for QPR and make 163 appearances for Yeovil Town. Last season he made 28 appearances in League Two for Chesterfield and Aldershot.

Chris Kinnear talks to DAFCtv about his new signing and Tuesday’s encouraging pre-season friendly performance against Woking. Jason Burns also talks to Barry Cogan and Liam Bellamy:
[utube]

*IS*Video courtesy of Sorceress Productions.*IF*

*Link1*

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