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SEASON TO START BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

The 2020/21 National League season is set to kick-off behind closed doors next weekend.

In an email to Dover Athletic Chairman Jim Parmenter, the National League outlined its intentions.

It read: ”Until the Government announced its review of the safe return of spectators, the League was fully geared up to commence the season with clubs applying new socially-distanced stadium capacities and putting in place Covid-secure measures to ensure crowd safety.

“This week, three of our Clubs successfully held test events with up to 1,000 fans, and we hope that the diligent preparations made by all clubs to enable the return of fans may still be implemented in due course when permitted to do so.

“The League must now abide by the Government’s decision to exclude fans, and therefore, matches will be played “behind closed doors”, i.e. without supporters admitted, in accordance with Government policy and Stage 3 of the elite sport protocols until further notice.

“Looking forward, the Board’s objectives are to ensure that all clubs can commence their fixtures programme, and all clubs are able to meet their obligations over the course of the season. Moving forward with only a subset of clubs involved would not be acceptable.

“Hence, the League’s appeal to Government with the assistance of The Football Association for each club to receive compensation for lost net gate revenue each month for the period that clubs are prevented from admitting supporters.

“The Board is aware that whilst some clubs may want to commence the season without external support, the vast majority of clubs require financial help to be able to sustain their participation over the coming months without crowds.

“The League is aiming to receive confirmation of the Government’s support in advance of the season commencing next weekend. Should this not occur, the Board will review and reconsider its stance, and as ever, the Board will ensure the position and views of member clubs are central to any decision made.”

Our National League campaign is due to start against Notts County at Crabble on Saturday, October 3 at 3pm.

The game will be live streamed by DAFCtv and you can buy your match pass for it HERE

Fans who have already purchased a season ticket can watch the live streaming for free.

To help the club, season ticket holders have two options.

Take up the option of watching live streaming for free and use your ticket if the fans are allowed to attend games again. Once committed to this option, no refunds will be available.
Season ticket holders can claim a full refund.

The Chairman said: “We may be back playing football next week, but we need the support of our fans more than ever while they are not permitted in ground.”

We will be in touch with all season ticket holders directly.

VIDEO: MANAGER REACTION

Check out what our boss Andy Hessenthaler had to say following our pre-season loss at Maidstone United on Saturday.

LIVE STREAMING COVERAGE ON SALE NOW

Dover Athletic fans throughout the country now have the opportunity to watch all our National League games at Crabble via a brand new Live Streaming service from DAFCtv.

That’s right, you can live stream our games, directly to your computer or mobile device.

The current cost is £8 per match and you can buy your tickets on a match-by-match basis.

Match passes for five matches, starting with the visit of Notts County, which is scheduled for October 3, are now on sale.

You can buy your tickets and get further information here

Further updates regarding commentary etc will be available next week.

VIDEO: MANAGER REACTION

Boss Andy Hessenthaler has his say after the pre-season draw at Dartford on Tuesday night.

UPDATE FROM CHAIRMAN

Chairman Jim Parmenter gives an update after the Government announced this morning that they have paused their plans to bring crowds back to ‘elite’ football from October 1 after a rise in Covid-19 cases.

Whites are due to start their National League campaign against Notts County at Crabble on Saturday, October 3.

A surprised and disappointed Chairman said: “While the government have communicated with the nation, there has been no direct engagement with football clubs by them, the FA or National League – we still do not know what the plans are.

“The board have been working hard to ensure the club stays viable, although this is another setback to our efforts and inevitably this will involve further consultation with our staff.

“Supporters can be assured that we are doing everything we can to ensure the survival of the club and we are taking every possible step to ensure we are ready for when fans are able to come back to the ground.

“At present , we do not know what the plans for the League season are, but we believe that the most likely outcome is a delay to the start of the fixtures.

“Unless funding is provided by the government, football behind closed doors is not sustainable at our level.

“We will oppose any attempt to start the season behind closed doors.”

As previously communicated, season ticket payments are fully protected and full refunds will be given, so fans do not need to worry.

The same goes for shirt purchases, which will be delivered as planned and available within the next couple of weeks, subject to our kit supplier not being effected by lockdown closure or delays.

See Jim Parmenter on BBC NEWS at 10 (22/09/2020)

WINGER SECURES CRABBLE DEAL

Trialist Travis Gregory has earned himself a contract after impressing in pre-season.

The winger, who will wear the number 17 shirt, spent time in the youth ranks at both Chelsea and Rangers, has scored three goals in his appearances for Andy Hessenthaler’s squad.

Gregory, 25, has spent the past two seasons with Leatherhead, scoring six goals in 28 appearances last season.

Welcome to Crabble, Travis !!

WHITES LOSE AT FLEET

Dover suffered their second defeat of pre-season after hosts Ebbsfleet United came from behind to win the behind closed doors friendly at the Kuflink Stadium on Saturday.

The game, which kicked-off at 12.30pm, was not publicised at Ebbsfleet’s request and all reference to it was subsequently removed from our website.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler’s side opened the scoring in the third minute through Paul Rooney after Fleet goalkeeper Tom Hadler spilled Josh Passley’s driven cross.

Rakish Bingham equalised from close range seconds later before Lee Martin added a second 15 minutes before half-time after he beat goalkeeper Yusif Mersin from just outside the box.

Ebbsfleet finished the game with 10 men after second half substitute Reece Grant got a straight red for a dangerous tackle just before the final whistle.

Dover Athletic: Mersin, Passley, Trialist, De Havilland, Wood, Rooney, Gobern, Hinchiri, Munns, Collins, Triallist.

Subs (all used in second half): Rigg, Bedford, Wratten, Bexon, Bramble, Trialist, Trialist.

WINNING DOUBLE FOR ACADEMY

The two Dover Athletic Academy teams started their seasons with impressive wins.

The number 1 squad, who play in the National Youth League South, beat visiting Boreham Wood 4-0 thanks to a double from Onu and further goals from Baptiste and Igbedion.

Dover opened the scoring through Onu’s penalty in the 25th minute before midfielder Baptiste fired home the second from outside the box after some good work from Rossi just before half-time.

Onu made it 3-0 after an assist by Wilkinson before substitute Igbedion completed the scoring after some good link up play with Sosan.

The number 2 squad completed a great day for the Academy with a 4-1 win at Sutton United.

Nelson (2), Sikirwayi and Way got the goals.

Nelson opened the scoring from a Halls corner before Sikirwayi ‘s long-range effort made it 2-0 at the break.

Sutton reduced the deficit just after half-time making it 2-1 before O’Donnell provided Nelson with his second goal of the game.

Way made it 4-1 following some good link up play with Dallas.

Academy Manager, Mike Sandmann, said:” I am pleased to get the season off and running it’s been extremely strange times and I have to give credit to the group for their hard work throughout the summer.

“It’s been a very different pre-season to what we are used to, but the group have now set a bench mark on what we keep trying to improve on.”

NATIONAL LEAGUE STATEMENT

The Chairman of the National League, Brian Barwick, has written to The Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to ask the Government to carefully consider how its pending decision on the return of fans to football grounds will affect its clubs, their employees, and local communities.

The National League has also asked the Government for permission to commence the new season on 3 October with fans in attendance with social distancing and other Covid secure
measures in place.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the National League has closely adhered to Government policy and fully recognises the overwhelming necessity to protect people’s health and well being.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 17 July that Government intended to bring back audiences in stadia from October each club has started to prepare for the 2020-21 season.

The National League has set the start date as 3 October, which is when 24 clubswould be due to play their first league match and a further 43 clubs are involved FA Cup ties.

In readiness for the safe return of spectators, National League clubs have calculated their ground’s new socially-distanced capacity.

Whilst crowds could be accommodated up to a level of 20-30% of each stadium’s normal capacity in accordance with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority guidance, the National League has asked the Government to allow up to 1,000 spectators in all grounds from October as a temporary solution that is validated by the Government’s approved pilot events conducted in September.

Brian Barwick commented: “The National League restart depends upon crowds being allowed back in stadiums as live attendance is our clubs’ largest source of income.

“The Government urgently needs to set out a credible pathway for the safe return of supporters, and to ensure our football clubs can continue to function, and to perform their significant role in the sporting life of the country.

“We are proud to be a national competition with strong local connections.”