Archives: News

STRIKER – DID YOU HIT THE NET?

Latest Striker results for Wednesday 20th September

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 harry.reid@doverathletic.com to register your interest and good luck

SPONSOR A PLAYER – UPDATED LIST

Don’t miss your chance to sponsor one of the Whites this season.

As we now enter our 40th season under the Dover Athletic guise, what better way to celebrate than to sponsor a player and receive a match worn 40th edition shirt at the end of the campaign.

Picture Courtesy of Steve Johnson

So what’s the deal?

•  Match worn shirt sent after the last game of the season – We offer both Home & Away packages as well as sponsoring both

•  Recognition as player sponsor in the matchday programme and on the player profile on the club website

•  Player meet & greet available upon request

•  All Sponsors entered into a draw to win 2x Premier Club day passes for the last game of the season

Home Shirt Sponsorship is £100.00 – Away Shirt Sponsorship is £95.00 – Home & Away Shirt Sponsorship is £180.00 (must be the same player)

To purchase from the list below, please contact the office by phone on 01304822373, or alternatively pop into reception on a matchday.
Squad No. Name. Home Sponsor. Away Sponsor.
1 Billy Terrell George Cory George Cory
3 Roman Charles-Cook Mark Sawyer Mark Sawyer
4 Peter Ojemen Matthew, Harry, Megan and Georgia Available
6 James Dunne Massive Deals,Dover Massive Deals, Dover
7 Johl Powell Available Available
8 Joshua Anifowose DOCC Available
9 Zidan Sutherland Neil Moors Available
10 George Nikaj DOCC Available
11 Ifeanyi Allen Available Available
14 George Wilkinson Derick Kaizilege Available
15 Charlie Naylor Kent Catering Equipment Kent Catering Equipment
16 Jacob Mensah Available Available
17 Archie Hatcher Exclusive Household Staff Available
18 Henry Young Acorn Homes Acorn Homes
19 Matthew Holness DOCC Available
20 Nick Dembele Available Available
21 Oreofe Bello Available Available
22 Luke Baptiste Derick Kaizilege Available
23 Dontai Stewart Available Available
24 Fuad Sesay Exclusive Butler School Available
25 John Oyenuga Available Available
26 Paris Lock Available Available

CLUB STATEMENT – SUPPORTERS BEHAVIOUR

The club would like to issue the following statement. 

SUPPORTER BEHAVIOUR

The vocal support for the team this season has been loud and proud and greatly appreciated by Mitch and the team. However, we are receiving a growing number of complaints from supporters about the language and behaviour of a very small minority of younger supporters. This is having a detrimental effect on sponsorship and crowd numbers. The Club has been monitoring the situation and verbal warnings have been issued, but these appear to be having no effect.

The club’s policy on the matter is attached to this statement –

Whilst vocal support is and will always be greatly appreciated, abuse of individuals and excessive foul language will not be tolerated. There will be no further verbal warnings issued and offenders will be removed from the stadium receive a ban and any season tickets will be rescinded with no refund. If Police assistance in this matter is required, it will be called upon.

Please continue to support the team but always consider others.

DOVER ATHLETIC 3 HASTINGS UNITED 2

The Whites march into the next round. 

Dover got back to winning ways on Saturday as the FA Cup provided a welcome distraction from the league. Hastings came to the Megger Community Stadium in good form and boasted a wealth of National League experience in their side but it was the home side who were the more dominant in the opening 45 minutes.

New signing Paris Lock, looked lively as he made his debut on the right wing, teasing his man before heading into the penalty area where he was brought down. The referee pointed to the spot and Iffy Allen placed his spot kick high into the roof of the net. With Hastings now chasing the game, their task became even harder when in the Sam Okoye was shown a second yellow, this time for kicking the ball away, on the half hour.

Man of the match Hatcher looks to build another attack – Picture Steve Johnson

Dover cranked up the pressure and should have gone into the break with the cushion of another couple of goals with both Zidan Sutherland and Archie Hatcher coming close with chances. It was the youngster who was making his first start that impressed the most. Despite getting booked early on for a rash challenge, the academy product looked dangerous as he found little pockets of space outside the Hastings defence.

We are in the hat and that’s what we were looking for – Mitch Brundle

The second half began like the first half ended, with Dover pushing for a second goal, but it wasn’t until the manager made his changes that the game was put to bed. George Nikaj and Luke Baptiste both entered the fray in the second half and made an immediate impact. Nikaj first by glancing a lovely header from an Ojemen cross before some nifty footwork from Baptiste, sat down the Hastings keeper, and rolled the ball into the net.

It was a good rear guard display until a nervy last five minutes meant that the Whites were making hard work of the performance, with the referee awarding Hastings a penalty and then a break away goal brought the scores back to 3-2. Despite the final efforts of the travelling side, Dover held on to claim a victory that now sees them in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

Dover Athletic: Terrell, Oyenuga, Naylor, Mensah, Ojemen, Allen, Lock, Dunne, Young, Hatcher, Sutherland

Subs: Wilkinson, Bello, Dembele, Nikaj, Baptiste, Charles-Cook, Stewart

Hastings United: Grainger, Okoye, Akehurst, Fregene, Stone, Rodari, Vose, Akinwande, Ufuah, Taylor, Christian-Law

Subs: Walters, Leblond, Walker, Legg, Thompson, Oyebola, Lubanga

 

UP NEXT – HASTINGS UNITED (FA CUP EDITION)

Whites head into FA Cup action. 

This week sees the welcome distraction from league duty as we head into FA Cup action with Hastings United coming to town. There have been some memorable FA Cup matches over the years with the likes of Oxford United, Aldershot Town, Peterborough United, MK Dons, Cheltenham Town, Huddersfield Town and most fondly remembered would be the televised Third Round tie against Crystal Palace.

Some results have been euphoric where has some have been not so easy on the eye. There have been many upsets with the Whites being on both sides of the coin but I’m sure you can all remember that sweet, sweet day at Priestfield when we turned over Gillingham in their own backyard. Then there was the late winner from Ruel Sotiriou against Southend United. I mean I could go on and on.

Is it a massive game? Yes, of course. I want to have a cup run.

The FA Cup has always excited me as a player and, as a kid, I watched it.’ – Mitch Brundle

While it’s always nice to take a trip down memory lane, football is played in the here and now and Mitch Brundle will be desperate to get his FA Cup maiden voyage as boss off to a flyer. He will have to do it without the outward departing Chevron McLean and Mike Olarewaju, who left the club this week by mutual consent. We wish them well in the future and thank them for their efforts in a white shirt.

Henry Young put pen to paper on a deal following his 18th birthday. Congratulations, Youngy. Over to you now lads, lets make sure we are in the hat for the next round.

COYW!

Form Guide:

Pictures courtesy of Flashscore.com

Head to Head:

Ticket Information: – All Must Pay

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

YOUNG UP TRUMPS – HENRY PUTS PEN TO PAPER

Academy product signs on the dotted line. 

Henry Young signed his first contract with the club this week, following his 18th birthday. The young midfielder has made 5 appearances so far this campaign, including his debut away at Slough Town when an injury in the warm up to Josh Anifowose meant that the manager would give Young the nod. Playing next to the experienced James Dunne has helped the youngster grow into his role and we look forward to watching Henry develop as the season continues.

Young in action during a recent match against Chippenham Town – Picture Steve Johnson

Mike Sandmann from the academy was quick to heap praise on the midfielder. ‘I couldn’t be more pleased for Youngy and adds to the list of Academy boys progressing into our first team. This club has been great at giving these young players opportunities and Youngy has taken his with both hands. He is still only going to keep improving and has the right character and attributes to have a great career. At the Academy we will continue the hard work developing these young players and hopefully we continue to introduce a few more as the season progresses.’

Congratulations Youngy, and good luck for the rest of the season.

STRIKER – DID YOU HIT THE NET?

Latest Striker results for Wednesday 13th September

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 harry.reid@doverathletic.com to register your interest and good luck

DOVER ATHLETIC 1 WEYMOUTH 3

The Terras terror the Whites with defeat at Crabble. 

On arguably one of the hottest days that I have ever endured at a football match, Weymouth made their trip along the south coast for this National League South match. For the fourth consecutive Saturday in a row, Mitch Brundle’s side held home advantage, again with the Megger Community Stadium basking in glorious sunshine.

Billy Terrell picking up his POTM award – Picture George Cory

 

Prior to kick-off, Billy Terrell was handed the Megger Player of the Month award for August, for his fine displays in his first month here at Crabble. Unfortunately for Terrell, he would be picking the ball out of his net after just eight minutes when a free header back across Dover’s penalty area was volleyed home by the unmarked Touray, making his Terras debut. Touray had been a late replacement with Roberts pulling up injured during the warm-up.

Johl Powell, making his home debut after signing during midweek, was booked for what looked like an innocuous challenge, following Peter Ojemen who had already been carded early on. Minutes later and the referee was at the centre of it all again, this time booking the Gaffer for throwing the ball back onto the pitch. It seemed very harsh and a little odd but the man in the middle was saving his best performance for later on.

As the board for added time was held up, Bearwish was booked for a high foot in the face of Powell. Then just moments later, disaster struck. Terrell, receiving a back pass, took a touch and slammed the ball against the advancing Touray. The ball looped high towards the summer sun, bounced once and dropped in off the underside of the crossbar.

Charles-Cook holds off his man – Picture Stuart Brock

If that wasn’t a kick in the teeth for the Whites, seconds after the restart, Powell looked to flick a ball into the channel but a Weymouth defender took a risky route of trying to header the ball clear from around knee high. This resulted in Powell catching his man with his boot and the referee couldn’t have got his cards out quick enough as first he raised a second yellow and then flashed a red for Powell who looked absolutely flabbergasted. No one in the stadium could quite believe it. Common sense should have prevailed and the referee could have easily have taken the midfielder to one side but then again common sense isn’t that common.

After the restart, the numbers were evened out as Bearwish, who was about to take a throw in, dropped the ball for his teammate and was deemed to be time wasting by the referee and was shown a second yellow, followed by a red. It was all square on the pitch but the Whites still trailed by a two goal deficit. This then became a three goal lead when Rollinson ran across the face of the 18 yard box before firing past Terrell to give the visitors all three points.

Gaffer Mitch Brundle is carded during a fiery first half – Picture Steve Johnson

Dover did manage a consolation strike through Roman Charles-Cook who bundled home with only minutes remaining on the clock. Two defeats in four days and still no win at home this season left the punters leaving a little disgruntled. This week however, sees a break from league action as we face Hastings United in the FA Cup.

“I’m not asking for world-beaters every week, we know what we’ve got to work with, but we have to do something to make it right.

I’ll never stop fighting and trying to make sure this goes right. – Mitch Brundle

Dover Athletic: Terrell, Oyenuga, McLean, Menasah, Olarewaju, Ojemen, Dunne, Powell, Anifowose, Nikaj, Sutherland

Subs: Baptiste, Hatcher, Allen, Charles-Cook, Stewart

Weymouth: Benfield, Howe, Hamblin, Cheshire, Thompson, Rowan, O’Connell, Bearwish, Roberts, Slade, Rollinson

Subs: Thomson, Touray, Stag, Brooks, Olu

Attendance: 568

 

UP NEXT – WEYMOUTH

We face off against the Terras. 

Another Saturday, another home game. This time we face off against Weymouth in a game that already both teams will be looking forward to hopefully getting some more much needed points on the board. Both ourselves and todays opponents dropped three points mid-week with neither team scoring a goal so today will see a game where a win will be vital.

It’s down to having someone who puts the ball in the back of the net. Whether you’re 17 or you’re 29, if you’re in front of the goal, you’ve got to score – Mitch Brundle

The last time the two sides met was of course on the final game of the 2022/23 campaign in which the Whites needed a point or more to secure National League South status and relegate the Terras, but it was the visiting team who celebrated on the pitch with their fans as a 2-0 win ensured survival. Dover needed a helping hand from Chippenham Town but both sides stayed up, nevertheless.

Mitch Brundle will be hoping that his team can put in another Chippenham style performance, adding goals into the mix. While the results seem to be going against the Whites, the team is not a million miles away from where it needs to be. A penalty miss against Tonbridge, unable to find a second against Chippenham and even a handball goal disallowed (it wasn’t), have potentially cost us an additional couple of points, but that’s football. Decisions tend to even themselves out over the course of the campaign.

Lets get behind the boys and push them to securing a vital three points.

COYW!

Form Guide:

Pictures courtesy of Flashscore.com

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)