Archives: News

NON LEAGUE DAY 2023 – GET INVOLVED

The Whites head to St Albans this Saturday for Non League Day.

This weekend sees the return of Non League Day, the annual celebration of all things Non League and we hope that you can come and celebrate with us. This Saturday the Whites head to St Albans, looking to get back to winning ways, so why not come and cheer on the lads in what is now a pivotal time in our season. With the international break halting top level football, this is a great chance to come and support your local team.

So what is Non League day? 

Non-League Day was set up by James Doe in 2010 as a social media experiment, after being inspired by a pre-season trip to Devon to watch Queens Park Rangers play at Tavistock. It has now grown to become an annual part of the football calendar, backed by Premier League and Football League clubs, MPs, celebrities, media organisations, charities and most importantly the non-league clubs themselves and the fans who turn up on the day.

Always scheduled to coincide with an international break, Non-League Day provides a platform for clubs to promote the importance of affordable volunteer-led community football while giving fans across the country the chance to show support for their local non-league side.

Many non-league clubs are almost exclusively volunteer run, with money taken at the turnstiles often funding thriving youth set-ups, projects and facilities which are of benefit to the whole community. The level of skill on offer at non-league grounds might not be the same as that at the Etihad Stadium or Stamford Bridge, for example, but there are other sides to the experience, from which the smaller club will always win hands down.

The vast majority of games still kick off at 3pm, ticket prices are realistic, you can often stand (and drink!) anywhere in the ground and will always be guaranteed a warm welcome by people who run their clubs for a love of the game. Whether you’re a Premier League or Championship fan without a game, a League One or League Two supporter who can’t make an away trip, or just someone who is curious about what their local club has to offer, there is sure to be something to interest everyone.

St Albans have reduced the price of the ticket to £10 for this fixture if brought in advance but hurry as these are selling like hot cakes with a bumper crowd expected at the Mozzarella Fellas Stadium.

Tickets for this match can be purchased via the St Albans City website or paid on the gate. We have a supporters coach running for this fixture, details of this will be posted on the website towards the end of the week.

COYW.

ST ALBANS CITY TRAVEL

Fancy heading to St Albans this weekend?

The St Albans coach is running and there are still seats available. If you wish to travel you can call/text 07934300335 or email [email protected].

RULES FOR THE COACH TRAVEL

All vehicles are NON SMOKING
No alcohol will be permitted on our vehicles at any time. (This means not just drinking alcohol but also taking it on the coach) Any damage caused will be charged to the Supporters Club

If any Coach Traveller identifies a problem when boarding, please inform the person Overseeing the Coach.
Any abnormal or excessive cleaning will result in a fine payable by the Supporters Club
No excessively rowdy behaviour will be tolerated.
The Coach Company runs a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY if any of the above restrictions are breached and any individual found to be flaunting the rules, they will be removed from the coach immediately, Irrespective of the location of the vehicle.
It is obviously in everyone’s interest and to encourage people who are understandably wary about using the coach that behaviour is kept within the bounds of common sense.

Pre Arranged Drop-Offs and Pick-Ups will be permitted on route with NO Detours.
Supporters Coaches are operated by the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club and are in no way organised by, or the responsibility of Dover Athletic F.C.

 

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NO HEART FOR HAMPTON

The boss gives his honest assessment on Saturday’s defeat to Hampton & Richmond Borough. 

The Whites looked out of sorts during their latest outing against Hampton & Richmond Borough with a 3-0 home defeat, their second in as many games. From keeping four consecutive clean sheets just a couple of weeks ago, Mitch Brundle’s side have now conceded nine goals in three matches.

Speaking to Kent Online Sport Brundle said ‘It was a gutless performance. It’s just not good enough and not accepted. We’ve gone from four successive clean sheets to conceding nine goals against three teams below us, fighting for their lives. We just didn’t have enough character. It was just a gutless performance. I’m upset for the fans, as well, because we were getting a little gathering back together with our consistency and working hard. But we didn’t work hard enough today – and I won’t accept that. Even when I first got the job, I said I’ll never have a team that doesn’t run around – and they didn’t today. They let themselves down. We were missing two key experienced players, which is not an excuse.

You’re just asking the other players to work hard, have that desire and commitment, track runners, and we started the second half a little bit better, changing shape. But we conceded sloppy goals. There was no desire and no pride in their own performance. They have to take that on themselves. Some players do take a little bit, the more consistent ones, but it’s not acceptable from everyone else. We’ll just go back to the drawing board and, hopefully, not have it again.’

Skipper Lee Martin and fellow midfielder Jordan Higgs were both missing from the game following an accumulation of cards that meant both players served a suspension which includes this weeks fixture against St Albans. Fans took to social media and many in the bar after the game we asking why the Gaffer had not included himself in the line-up with limited options in the heart of the midfield.

‘Yeah, maybe now, I maybe didn’t need to play myself at the start [of his time in charge]’, said the boss. ‘But it’s coming to the crunch time for that. Do I think I’m the answer? I don’t know. What I didn’t want to do – and what I think is right – is, if I play myself ahead of someone, basically, I’m telling them they can walk out the door. They’re not good enough. The six games unbeaten wasn’t down to any quality or the ball-side of the game. It was down to heart, desire and commitment. But we didn’t have that and we haven’t had that for the last three games. We can see that on the statistics and they can see it. This is just a tough game to take because it’s not really about quality.’

The Whites head to St Albans this weekend, looking to get back to winning ways.

DOVER ATHLETIC 0 HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH 3

Dover are undone by a tidy Hampton and Richmond outfit.

It was a pretty even first 45 minutes here at Crabble with both sides spurning a decent chance each to take the lead but it was the visitors who broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time.

George Nikaj, still looking for his first goal since his return from his loan spell at Ashford, nodded a cross against the foot of the post in the 11th minute. That goal is just not coming for the young forward who is not getting the rub of the green in front of goal.

Hampton and Richmond had a couple of good chances themselves with Jake Goodman coming to the rescue with a timely block on the edge of the six yard box. Moments later and Jordan Thomas looked to have made enough ground at the far past but the cross just evaded him.

Visiting skipper Jake Gray blazed over in the 33rd minute from the edge of the penalty area when a little composure would have been the order of the day. Gray was in the thick of it again when in the last minute of stoppage time, Gray fired a shot past Stuart Nelson after the Whites goalkeeper had made a cracking save with his legs moments earlier. But it was all in vain as the hosts headed down the tunnel 1-0 down.

On the hour a slip from the Hampton defender enabled a cross from Paxman to find Ajayi but his control and shot was well blocked in a last ditch effort to keep the score line at 0-1.

Moments later and Jake Gray nearly doubled his and his teams tally with a dinked effort over Nelson which only found the side netting. With the Whites looking to force an equaliser, the hosts were starting to exploit the gaps left at the back.

In the 67th minute, that man Gray did manage to find the net. After a long ball through to Kurran-Browne, who looked to have been offside, he neatly played the ball back into the path of Gray who fired a low shot into the far bottom corner to give Hampton and Richmond breathing space.

Despite the setback, the Whites poured forward in the hope of making the last quarter of the game a contest. In the 73rd minute, Noah Carney’s spin and shot was wildly over the crossbar with the goal beckoning for the young forward.

With seven minutes left of normal time, Gray thought he was taking home the match ball when his effort beat Nelson, only to go narrowly wide, with half the ground thinking the ball was in.

Substitute David Fisher wrapped things up for the visitors in the 88th minute when he raced onto a through ball and placed his shot into Nelson’s bottom corner. 0-3

It was a wretched day for the Whites who are now only eight points clear of the drop zone. Hampton and Richmond leapfrogged us with that win, dropping us one place down to 15th in the table.

The lads will look to bounce back next week at St Albans and end this winless streak. We hope to see you there.

COYW.

Dover Athletic: Nelson, Judd, Paxman, Moses, Goodman, Sterling, Wanadio, Wilkinson, Pierrick, Baptiste, Nikaj

Subs: Janjeva, Boateng, Carney, Ajayi, Agbebi

Hampton & Richmond Borough: Julian, Donaldson, Inman, Fernandez, Whittingham, Gray, Kurran-Browne, Deadfield, Clifton, Dunne, Thomas

Subs: Barzey, Fisher, Johnson, Comley, Davis

Attendance: 605

UP NEXT – HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH HEAD TO TOWN

The Whites host Hampton & Richmond Borough looking to get back to winning ways.

Mitch Brundle will be looking for a better result and performance than last time out with the Whites going down 3-1 away to Chippenham Town. With only four more home games remaining this campaign it will be important for the lads to not take their eyes off the ball and try and finish the season with a flourish.

‘We were weak,’ said the Gaffer following the defeat last week. ‘We weren’t aggressive enough and it showed in that performance.’

Speaking to Kent Online Sport, Brundle said ‘The Cheshunt game, the scoreline flattered them because it was not a 3-0 game. I took something from it. But Saturday was not good enough and completely out of character from us since I’ve been in charge. Hopefully, it was just one of those days. We did have our chances, don’t get me wrong, but nothing compared to what we’ve had previously. We came out after half-time and scored, and I thought ‘Maybe the half-time team talk livened everyone up’. But we were just not good enough.’

Hampton & Richmond have been on a decent run themselves, winning three of their last five fixtures. Dover will be looking to complete the double over the Beavers following the 2-0 win back in November at the Rocket Hospitality Stadium. The clubs previous meeting back in 2012 saw Hampton & Richmond take four points from six over the Whites.

COYW.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for this game can be purchased at the turnstile only. We do take both card and cash.

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £16

Over 60 – £14

Under 18 – £8

Under 11s continue to be free with paying adult

STRIKER – DID YOU HIT THE NET?

Latest Striker Lottery results for Wednesday 15th March

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.

HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH – VIP STYLE

Fancy watching the Whites take on Hampton & Richmond Borough in style? Of course you do.

This Saturday we host Hampton & Richmond in the Vanarama National South, looking to get back to winning ways following the defeat last time out. Mitch Brundle and the boys will be looking to put on a show and where else would you rather watch it than here with us.

Watch the game from the best seats in the house and let our match day hospitality provide the ultimate way to spend your time with us.

The package includes:

  • Butler hosted lounge with large TVs and a projector showing the game

  • A three-course meal served at your table

  • Reserved undercover premium padded seating

  • Complimentary tea, coffee & mineral water, plus a dedicated paid bar before and after the match

  • Complimentary match day team sheet

The very special experience costs £28 per person and is available for individual and group bookings, or as a gift voucher.

Please note that this price does NOT include entry for non-season ticket holders who do attend, and they will still need to pay at the turnstile on the day.

On the menu for the game will be :

  • Vegetable soup & Ciabatta roll.
  • Chicken breast in a creamy white wine & garlic sauce, baby potatoes and vegetables
  • Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake.

Arrival at the ground should be at 1pm and food will be served at 1.30pm.

There are only 64 spaces available, so all tickets will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis.

The dress code is smart casual.

To buy your VIP ticket please email [email protected] or call the office on 01304 822373

CHIPPENHAM TOWN 3 DOVER ATHLETIC 1

Whites fall to the Bluebirds

Dover travelled west again in a hope to put right the defeat on Tuesday night, only to come unstuck on a pitch that resembled that of Melbourne primary school. (If you know, you know)

Mitch Brundle’s Whites couldn’t get out of second gear despite equalising in the opening moments of the second half.

Dover had an abundance of chances in the first period with Wanadio and Higgs both testing Will Henry in the hosts goal. Luke Wanadio should of opened the scoring when put clean through, only for Henry to rush out and save smartly. The Whites had plenty of the ball and played some good football up the hill and could have gone ahead but for some smart goalkeeping to keep the scores level.

Then in the 22nd minute, Chippenham broke down Dover’s right and shot across Nelson who could only parry the ball out into the path of Joe Parker, who slotted home for the Bluebirds.

Dover hit back almost immediately after the restart when a corner was played short along the ground to Myles Judd, who lashed the ball of the underside of the crossbar and into the far corner of the net. All of a sudden momentum was with visitors as the Whites poured forward down the slope. There was a flurry of attacks immediately after the equaliser but the hosts stood firm as Dover huffed and puffed to try and find a breakthrough.

With Dover piling forward to try and force a breakthrough, Chippenham broke and with the ball on the right flank, crossed for Fasanmade to head home from close range. It was a real sucker punch for the visitors who had began to gain momentum on the home side.

Again the Whites poured forward in search of an equaliser, leaving huge holes in behind which in the 80th minute, Owen Windsor swept home from a cross to send the home fans into a conga behind Nelson’s goal. Dover had been well and truly humbled in the last 20 minutes and the conditions hadn’t helped the legs after a long journey from the south coast.

The midweek games are over for a while now so the lads have a weeks rest between games. See you at Crabble next week.

COYW.

Dover Athletic: Nelson, Judd, Paxman, Goodman, Sterling, Higgs, Martin, Wilkinson, Wanadio, Pierrick, Carney

Subs: Agbebi, Brundle, Moses, Janjeva, Baptiste

Chippenham Town: Henry, Jones, Richards, D’Abadia, Mehew, McClure, Fasanmade, Bray, Tizzard, Parker, Russe

Subs: Simpson, Windsor, Hanks, Bradbury, Kouisseoue

Attendance: 565

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

Coming up at Crabble

As we wind down to the completion of the 2022/23 campaign, we look ahead at the remaining fixtures to be played at the Megger Community Stadium.

18-03-23 Hampton & Richmond – Dover will be looking to complete a league double over the Beavers following a 2-0 win back in November.

07-04-23 Welling United – A bank holiday weekend visit from Welling will provide a tough test after the two sides fought out a 1-1 draw, earlier in the season.

15-04-23 Oxford City – The Whites will be looking to avenge a heavy 3-1 defeat by City back in November.

29-04-23 Weymouth – We finish the Vanarama National South campaign at home to Weymouth.

We hope to see as many of you there as possible as we look to end the season on a high.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for these games can be purchased at the turnstile only. We accept both cash and card.

Prices are as follows:

Adults – £16

Over 60 – £14

Under 18 – £8

Under 11s continue to be free with paying adult