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MERRY CHRISTMAS!
The Chairman, Directors, management, players, and staff of Dover Athletic Football Club would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
We would also like to thank you for your continued support throughout 2020 in what was been the most unusual and challenging of years – it is very much appreciated by us all.
Please enjoy the festivities in the best way you can in these unprecedented times we all live in.
Stay safe everyone until we can all meet again.
MATCH PREVIEW: DOVER VS DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE
Dover are back in Vanarama National League action on Boxing Day as they host Dagenham & Redbridge at Crabble live on BT Sport.
Andy Hessenthaler’s men have not played a league game since November 21st due to a positive Covid-19, with five matches postponed.
One of those postponements, against Chesterfield, was due to be played on Tuesday, however it was postponed once again following a positive test in the Spireites’ camp.
Dover were in action last Saturday in the Buildbase FA Trophy, losing 2-1 at Woking despite taking the lead shortly after the break.
Since Whites’ last league game, Daggers have played five National League games, winning two, losing two and drawing once. They were also defeated in the Second Round of the FA Cup at Mansfield Town, and most recently hammered Ebbsfleet United 5-2 in the FA Trophy.
Daggers currently sit 18th in the National League, nine points ahead of Athletic, though Dover currently have four games in hand over the visitors.
This game will see returns to Crabble for Dean Rance, though former Whites’ skipper Mitch Brundle is suspended after a red card at Torquay earlier this month..
Rance joined the club from Gillingham in 2012 on a one month loan, before joining permanently that summer after being released from Gills. He would spend the next year at Crabble before moving onto Ebbsfleet where he would spend six seasons. In his time at Crabble, he would go onto make 37 league appearances in the Conference South.
The match will also see Daggers manager Daryl McMahon return to Crabble, where he spent the 2012-13 season as a player, featuring 28 games for the club, scoring three goals.
Both Rance and McMahon played against Salisbury in the National League South 3-2 Playoff Final defeat back in 2013.
Dagenham & Redbridge’s Key Player
Summer signing Paul McCallum is top scorer for Daggers this season with four goals. He also scored 13 National League goals last season for both Solihull Moors and Barnet, and scored in the Bees’ National League playoff win against Yeovil.
Coverage
This game will be played behind closed doors, however, you can watch the game on BT Sport, with the game kicking off at 5.20pm.
We will also have live updates on Twitter – @DAFCLiveText – Follow us and get all the news as it happens.
Boxing Day’s National League Fixtures
Aldershot Town Vs Woking
Altrincham Vs Stockport County
Eastleigh Vs Weymouth
Hartlepool United Vs FC Halifax Town
King’s Lynn Town Vs Notts County
Maidenhead United Vs Wealdstone
Torquay United Vs Yeovil Town
LOAN SPELL EXTENDED
Dover Athletic can now confirm midfielder Ryan Hanson’s loan from League One side Hull City has been extended for another month.
The 20-year-old former Dover Boys Grammar School student initially signed for us for a month in late November and made his debut in our National League game at Kings Lynn Town on November 21st.
Hanson was sent off in that game but has now served his one-game ban and is in contention to make his home debut against Dagenham & Redbridge on Boxing Day.
NEW CHESTERFIELD DATE CONFIRMED
Our postponed National League game against Chesterfield at Crabble has now been re-arranged.
The Spireites will travel to Kent on March 23rd with the game kicking off at 7.45pm.
The original game was postponed earlier this week due to positive COVID-19 results being returned in the Chesterfield camp.
WREXHAM DATE SET
Our postponed National League game away at Wrexham has now been re-arranged.
We will now travel to The Racecourse ground on January 16th with the game kicking off at 3pm.
The original game had been postponed due to our first team staff and players self-isolating after a player tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of our game at Maidenhead United on December 1st.
Please continue to stay safe one and all.
CHESTERFIELD GAME OFF
Tuesday night’s National League game against Chesterfield at Crabble has been postponed due to positive COVID-19 results being returned in The Spireites camp.
We wish those affected a swift and safe recovery, and look forward to welcoming them to Crabble soon.
A revised date for the re-arranged fixture will be confirmed in due course.
Streaming tickets already purchased will be carried over to the re-arranged fixture.
WHITES SADDENED BY PASSING OF LONG-TIME FAN
Everyone at Dover Athletic is deeply saddened by the news that life-long supporter, Norman Clark, passed away last week after a period of ill health.
The 83-year-old was a regular at Crabble and was still traveling up and down the country in support of his beloved club on the Supporters Club Coach last season.
Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with Norman’s family and friends at this difficult time.
VIDEO: MANAGER REACTION
Boss Andy Hessenthaler gave his view on Saturday’s 2-1 FA Trophy defeat at Woking and reveals former Premier League star Liam Ridgewell has been giving the club a helping a helping hand this week.