*BS*FANATICAL SUPPORTER Simon Harris will set an unbelievable milestone on Saturday, when he attends his 1000th CONSECUTIVE Dover Athletic match.*BF*

The club’s official photographer and Supporters Club stalwart hasn’t missed a game (in all competitions and friendlies) for *BS*16 and a half years!*BF*

To recognise this grand achievement, the Supporters Club will be making a presentation to Simon on the pitch before kick-off on Saturday afternoon.

The Supporters Club accolade is not only in recognition of his 1000 game feat but also his immense contribution to Dover Athletic and its supporters over the last two decades.

Those of you with good memories will know that his ‘unbeaten run’ started back in 1994, at the end of the club’s first ever season in the Conference.

From that season – watching club legends such as David Leworthy, Russell Milton and Jason Bartlett – to the present day, Simon has been at every single Dover Athletic fixture.

Take a moment to consider that. Over the past 17 seasons, not only was Simon present at all the games we remember or try to forget, he was also there for every one we had to miss or decided it was too far or inconvenient to get to.

Simon has gone out of his way, including interrupting a family holiday for a midweek home friendly, to witness every 0-0, all the (usually pointless) league cup ties and hundreds of trips to the back of beyond to support his beloved Dover Athletic.

Whether it was Banstead, Hemel Hempstead, Lymington & New Milton, Leyton or Folkestone, Simon has been to every obscure club you’ve heard of and plenty more that you haven’t.

*Lpic1*Quite a few supporters will have been to many of them, some will have even been to the majority, but there’s usually something that crops up to make even the die hard fanatics miss a game once in a while.

Holiday, work, illness, family commitments or too much sanity are the most typical excuses.

As supporters, many of us proclaim our loyalty and “Dover til I die” attitude, but few of us can back it up with the level of commitment, sacrifices and sheer statistics that Simon can, accumulated over the past 17 seasons.

Plus, it is not only at Dover Athletic fixtures where Simon shows his allegiance and support. He is also a regular at England internationals, flying a DAFC flag in football stadiums around the globe.

His ever-present attendance and leadership has not only been of service to the football club but also to the fans. From leading the former Supporters Trust to hosting the popular quiz nights, Simon has been a key player in keeping the Supporters Club at the heart of Whites’ fanbase.

Long may it continue, Simon, and here’s to another 1000!!!

*BS*SATURDAY 9 OCTOBER – FA CUP TIE & SIMON’S PRESENTATION*BF*
Dover Athletic vs Cambridge City – FA Cup 3rd qualifying round at 3.00pm
Don’t miss the Supporters Club presentation to Simon on the pitch before the match.

*BS*WHO ate all the pies …

*BF*Well, no fret … they are back. The pies, which were withdrawn from sale at Dover’s football church that is Crabble several years ago, have been reinstated by chairman Jim Parmenter and the board.

Director Chris Oakley has been on a mission to help assist the club in restoring the old favourite and a solution has finally been found.

Local homemade pies from a bakery will now be available on matchdays. Chicken and two other fillings yet to be confirmed will be on sale to warm fans up during the upcoming long winter.

And that is not all … a new Meal Deal of PIE and chips – plus a pint of Fosters – all for just £5.50 will also be available at the Centre Spot.

There is more good news for fans who like to enjoy a refreshing pint of cider. We have cut the price to £3-a-pint on matchdays.

Jim told doverathletic.com: “The pies are back by popular demand. We’ve had a long look at it and decided to give our fans what they want.

“We have listened to feedback and hope everyone will be pleased that we’ve been able to bring back an old favourite.

“Cider, meanwhile, has been hit by duty rises in recent years – but we’ve managed to secure a deal where we’ve got it cheaper. We were keen to pass the savings we made back to our fans – so I am delighted we’ve been able to bring the price of Strongbow down.”

*IS*Olly Schulz scores a 45th minute header but early mistakes handed Hampton the points.*IF*

*BS*DOVER paid for defensive mistakes at Hampton & Richmond on Saturday, losing their 100% away record after trailing 3-0 in the first half.*BF*

Olly Schulz made it 3-1 with a bullet header but Whites couldn’t convert their 2nd half domination into goals. Adam Birchall netted a last minute consolation penalty.

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*IS*Olly Schulz scores a 45th minute header but early mistakes handed Hampton the points.*IF*

*BS*DOVER paid for defensive mistakes at Hampton & Richmond on Saturday, losing their 100% away record after trailing 3-0 in the first half.*BF*

Olly Schulz made it 3-1 with a bullet header but Whites couldn’t convert their 2nd half domination into goals. Adam Birchall netted a last minute consolation penalty.

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*BS*DOVER ATHLETIC last night signed striker Jason Norville until the end of the season.

*BF*The former Watford and Barnet striker, 27, from Trindad and Tobago, has recently been on trial with Andy Hessenthaler’s Gillingham.

Norville – who is 5ft 11in tall – has also played in non-league for Woking and had loan spells at Welwyn Garden City and Wealdstone.

Boss Martin Hayes said: “He comes highly recommended and has good pedigree, having been a full-time pro for some years.

“Jason knows a few of our former Barnet contingent, having been at Underhill, and he should be a good fit here.

“We were made aware of his situation at Gillingham. They were not able to offer him anything, which has worked out nicely for us.”

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*BS*DOVER ATHLETIC last night signed striker Jason Norville until the end of the season.

*BF*The former Watford and Barnet striker, 27, from Trindad and Tobago, has recently been on trial with Andy Hessenthaler’s Gillingham.

Norville – who is 5ft 11in tall – has also played in non-league for Woking and had loan spells at Welwyn Garden City and Wealdstone.

Boss Martin Hayes said: “He comes highly recommended and has good pedigree, having been a full-time pro for some years.

“Jason knows a few of our former Barnet contingent, having been at Underhill, and he should be a good fit here.

“We were made aware of his situation at Gillingham. They were not able to offer him anything, which has worked out nicely for us.”

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*BS*JAMES ROGERS is to join Margate after leaving Dover Athletic by mutual consent.*BF*

James wanted to play regular first team football and joins former team-mates in Iain O’Connell’s squad at Hartsdown Park.

‘Rogo’ recently became Whites’ longest serving player, having made his debut against Moor Green in 2003, when he scored a memorable goal direct from a corner.

The versatile midfielder was a regular for Dover Athletic in the club’s rise through the Ryman League, playing at left back, in central midfield and on the wing. He played a crucial role in the Ryman Premier championship season, scoring several important goals from distance.

Whites’ boss Martin Hayes said: “James wanted first-team football. We thank him for his loyal service to the club and wish him all the best.”

He joins former teammates Craig Cloke, Laurence Ball, John Keister, Dean Grant and Shaun Welford at Hartsdown Park.

*BS*JAMES ROGERS is to join Margate after leaving Dover Athletic by mutual consent.*BF*

James wanted to play regular first team football and joins former team-mates in Iain O’Connell’s squad at Hartsdown Park.

‘Rogo’ recently became Whites’ longest serving player, having made his debut against Moor Green in 2003, when he scored a memorable goal direct from a corner.

The versatile midfielder was a regular for Dover Athletic in the club’s rise through the Ryman League, playing at left back, in central midfield and on the wing. He played a crucial role in the Ryman Premier championship season, scoring several important goals from distance.

Whites’ boss Martin Hayes said: “James wanted first-team football. We thank him for his loyal service to the club and wish him all the best.”

He joins former teammates Craig Cloke, Laurence Ball, John Keister, Dean Grant and Shaun Welford at Hartsdown Park.