Watch it here: https://youtu.be/un0bJYwi0q0

MITCH WALKER sits down for an in-depth chat and shares his experience of returning to Dover Athletic. In this first part, Mitch discusses his career, the importance of stabilizing the club, regaining a winning mentality, and the need for a strong start to the season.

He also mentions his involvement in the arrival of Joe Tennent and Luca Cocoracchio from Whitehawk.

Mitch highlights his relationship with manager Jake Leberl and reflects on his time under Chris Kinnear.

We take a look at our 2024/25 schedule. 

We kick off our 2024/25 campaign a visit to Potters Bar Town on the opening day of the season on August 10th to begin what will be an exciting season in the Pitching In Isthmian Premier Division. Notable dates for your diary are the Kent derbies against Folkestone Invicta on the second game of the season (Tue 13 Aug), with the reverse fixture on Tuesday, November 5th. The Christmas fixtures have us playing away to Hastings United on Boxing Day and welcoming Horsham on New Years Day. Our final game of the season will see us away from home to Chichester City. Full scheduled below. All dates & times are subject to change, we will update the website on all fixtures ASAP. COYW!

Saturday, August 10th, 2024
Potters Bar Town v. Dover Athletic

Tuesday, August 13th, 2024
Dover Athletic v. Folkestone Invicta

Saturday, August 17th, 2024
Billericay Town v. Dover Athletic

Saturday, August 24th, 2024
Dover Athletic v. Chichester City

Monday, August 26th, 2024
Horsham v. Dover Athletic

Saturday, September 7th, 2024
Dover Athletic v. Dartford

Saturday, September 14th, 2024
Dover Athletic v. Bognor Regis Town

Saturday, September 21st, 2024
Carshalton Athletic v. Dover Athletic

Saturday, September 28th, 2024
Dover Athletic v. Wingate & Finchley

Saturday, October 12th, 2024
Whitehawk v. Dover Athletic

Saturday, October 19th, 2024
Dover Athletic v. Hashtag United

Saturday, October 26th, 2024
Lewes v. Dover Athletic

Saturday, November 2nd, 2024
Dover Athletic v. Potters Bar Town

Tuesday, November 5th, 2024
Folkestone Invicta v. Dover Athletic

Saturday, November 9th, 2024
Chatham Town v. Dover Athletic

Saturday, November 16th, 2024
Dover Athletic v. Canvey Island

Saturday, November 23rd, 2024
Bowers & Pitsea v. Dover Athletic

Saturday, November 30th, 2024
Dover Athletic v. Cray Valley PM

Saturday, December 7th, 2024
Dulwich Hamlet v. Dover Athletic

Saturday, December 14th, 2024
Dover Athletic v. Cray Wanderers

Saturday, December 21st, 2024
Cheshunt v. Dover Athletic

Thursday, December 26th, 2024
Hastings United v. Dover Athletic

Saturday, December 28th, 2024
Dover Athletic v. Billericay Town

Wednesday, January 1st, 2025
Dover Athletic v. Horsham

Saturday, January 4th, 2025
Hendon v. Dover Athletic

Saturday, January 11th, 2025
Dover Athletic v. Lewes

Saturday, January 18th, 2025
Hashtag United v. Dover Athletic

Saturday, January 25th, 2025
Bognor Regis Town v. Dover Athletic

Saturday, February 1st, 2025
Dover Athletic v. Carshalton Athletic

Saturday, February 8th, 2025
Wingate & Finchley v. Dover Athletic

Saturday, February 15th, 2025
Dover Athletic v. Whitehawk

Saturday, February 22nd, 2025
Dover Athletic v. Chatham Town

Saturday, March 1st, 2025
Canvey Island v. Dover Athletic

Saturday, March 8th, 2025
Dover Athletic v. Bowers & Pitsea

Saturday, March 15th, 2025
Cray Valley PM v. Dover Athletic

Saturday, March 22nd, 2025
Dover Athletic v. Dulwich Hamlet

Saturday, March 29th, 2025
Cray Wanderers v. Dover Athletic

Saturday, April 5th, 2025
Dover Athletic v. Cheshunt

Saturday, April 12th, 2025
Dover Athletic v. Hendon

Saturday, April 19th, 2025
Dartford v. Dover Athletic

Monday, April 21st, 2025
Dover Athletic v. Hastings United

Saturday, April 26th, 2025
Chichester City v. Dover Athletic

NewsTeam Group and Dover Athletic Football Club Announce Sponsorship for the 2024/25 Season

Great News that a National Company that started in Dover is now supporting the club that is close to the heart of the Directors and staff at NewsTeam.

NewsTeam Group limited and Dover Athletic Football Club announce a new sponsorship deal that will once again see the NewsTeam logo on the back of the team shirts and on the shorts, as well as advertising around the Crabble Athletic ground. New to the deal involves advertising in the whole of the River End stand.

This will be the beginning of long-term support for the club.

Paul Goddard, Commercial Director of NewsTeam said, ‘We are pleased to increase of level of support to the club, Dover is where the company began in October 2003 when Tom Crawley, our chairman, started delivering newspapers in his hometown. We are delighted to support a club which is close to the hearts of the Directors and staff who have been on this incredible journey from a small beginning in Dover to a national company delivering to over 100,000 addresses a day.’

Jim Parmenter, Dover Athletic Chairman said ‘We are delighted to have Tom and his team on board in a long term partnership, Tom has been a supporter of the club for as long as I can remember. It is essential to the club to receive such fantastic support from business to ensure our success both on the field and within the community.’

About NewsTeam Group

NewsTeam Group Ltd (NTG) is the largest Home News Delivery (HND) company in the UK providing professional early morning deliveries of newspapers and magazines to over 100,000 addresses across the UK. In addition to our own customer base, we fulfil the delivery of subscription copies on behalf of several publishers including the Non-League Paper and the Football league Paper.

NTG operates a delivery network consisting of strategically placed distribution and packing hubs; working with several hundred contractor deliverers and partner retailers to offer 80% national post code coverage. 

NTG’s business model is to work directly with news and magazine publishers. 

Our primary markets are individual households, retailers, and corporations. 

Watch it here – https://youtu.be/BK0D9Dwd1PE

LUKE BAPTISTE discusses his decision to extend his contract with Dover Athletic. He reflects on his football journey and developing under Mike Sandmann.

Luke acknowledges the club’s recent tough times but feels optimistic due to the positive changes and efforts by Jake to build a strong squad and engage the community. Luke shares how experiencing a losing streak in the National League was tough but educational. He learned the value of winning and now recognizes the positive changes in the team dynamics and performance.

Looking ahead, Luke expresses confidence in the current team and aims to push for success with club.

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/p-lJFR7a80E

ENIYE AMGBADUBA knows all about battling adversity and coming through for the better.

For the new Dover striker five years ago was bravely fighting for his life in hospital.

Eniye unfortunately suffered with sepsis and compartment syndrome. 

He spent a month at the William Harvey, Ashford, and was in a coma for three or four days.

Eniye, 26, speaking to Justin Allen in an interview at Crabble, said: “I have to give a big shoutout to my family and friends because they saved my life.

“I was young and didn’t really want to go to hospital because I am one of those people who thought ‘I’d just deal with it when I’m feeling sick.’

“But they forced me to go and I had surgery on my leg with some muscles removed.

“It gave me a new perspective on life and made me appreciate it a lot more. I’m a much more chilled out person.”

His experience in hospital was sobering as he sadly witnessed people who had passed away being wheeled out of his ward.

Eniye added: “I went to sleep twice in a coma and when I woke up the first time I was looking around and saw people getting wheeled out after passing. That was a huge shock to me.

“I didn’t react well and had to be put back to sleep. Hospital is a humbling place. Thank God, I got through to the other end and I’m able to play football again.”

Tall and physical Eniye was signed by Whites boss Jake Leberl, having spent last season at Fisher FC, who play two tiers down from Dover and he has also played for Canterbury City.

 Eniye scored on his home debut in the 5-1 win over Ramsgate on Saturday and he also played a huge part in the lead-up to George Nikaj’s goal.

He said: “I’m so grateful for this chance. It’s a great stadium, good squad and good coaches.”

It isn’t long to go now until Jake Leberl’s team of legends and staff take on a supporters XI in a fundraiser for the club. 

This game will mark game 2 of the weekend, as the Dover Athletic first team came out on top against a weakened Ramsgate side, winning 5-1. The Whites have also just confirmed the signing of three attacking players who have trialed with the club so far this preseason, but all the attention tomorrow will be on some of Dover’s ex players and legends.

On Jake Leberl’s team, the likes of Tom Wynter will be playing. Wynter played for Dover in their 0-4 FA Cup defeat at home to Crystal Palace, but will be looking for a much better result tomorrow! 

Also, the fan favourite, legendary striker Ricky Miller will be playing in Jake’s XI. Miller scored 68 in 101 appearances for Dover, can he score one last time in this fundraiser for the club?

Various other legends and members of the current Dover Athletic staff will be taking part in this match, which kicks off at 16:30.

Fans can also enjoy the UEFA Euros Final in the Centre Spot after the fundraiser game, with the match being shown on the screens inside. 

It’s set to be a cracking day’s worth of football at Crabble stadium tomorrow, with plenty on offer for all fans.

Players for Jake’s team include: Paul Hyde, Matt Carruthers, Roy Godden, James Rogers, Jimmy Dryden, Tom Wynter, Ricky Miller, Mike Sandmann and our youth team coaches. Clive Walker in the dugout. All players will be revealed tomorrow.

Dover Athletic are delighted to announce the signings of:

Lindell Stewart

The former Sutton Common Rovers man has also played for Northwood FC and Windsor FC, scoring 16 goals in 30 appearances in the 21/22 season.

Jayden Silcott-Brown

Previous clubs include FC Romania and Romford FC. During the 2023-2024 season, he played for Redbridge FC in the Isthmian League North Division.

Ruben Soares-Junior

Last season, Ruben played for Billericay and local rivals Folkestone Invicta. He’s previously featured for Tonbridge Angels, playing 37 National League South games – scoring 7 goals. His former clubs also include Scottish Championship side Queen of the South.

Our latest signings are now available to sponsor! Home: £100 | Away : £90 | Both: £180. Get a match worn shirt, meet your player, & more! For more information click here: https://doverathletic.com/sponsorship-packages/

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/hURWX9YUxbs

JAKE LEBERL in the final part of his interview, discusses the challenges and rewards of managing the team. He expresses gratitude to his supportive backroom team and an appreciation for the volunteers and employees who keep the club running smoothly.

Jake talks about his commitment to integrating the youth side into the club, providing opportunities for local boys. Leberl urges fans to return and support the team, acknowledging past issues but emphasizing a new, dedicated leadership focused on rebuilding and creating excitement.

Jake promises dedication, hard work, and a fresh start for the club.

“Tomorrow marks the beginning of an exciting new era for our club, kicking off with our first home preseason game of 24/25.

As we welcome Ramsgate to Crabble, I can’t stress enough how important it is for our fans to get behind the town and our club. Your support is the backbone of this club, and together, we can get back to where we want to be.

Thank you to everyone who turned up to the open training session last night and those that made the trips to Sevenoaks and Margate.

Let’s bring the energy and passion tomorrow and make this a season to remember. We need your help to succeed, One Town, One Team, One Dover” – Jake Leberl

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/UC13ZVIZgrc

JAKE LEBERL today in part three of a detailed interview reflects on his time as assistant to legendary boss Chris Kinnear. 

During their time together they got the Whites promoted to the National League, reached the third-round of the FA Cup against Premier League club Crystal Palace and came within a whisker of going up to the EFL. 

Jake also reflects on how the club signed the brilliant Ricky Miller and how Kinnear moulded together a team that knew how to win. 

Kinnear, says Jake, was using tactics that Jurgen Klopp adopted years later. 

In part four, tomorrow morning, Jake has a message for the fans and talks about the brilliant people that work behind the scenes at Crabble.