Archives: News

WOODS JOINS ATHLETIC

Dover Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of Michael Woods on a two-year-deal from 1st July.

The 29-year-old midfielder has joined following spells with fellow National League sides Hartlepool United and most recently Harrogate Town.

Yorkshireman Woods started his youth career with Leeds United, before signing for Chelsea as part of a £5 million transfer involving Leeds teammate Tom Taiwo in 2006.

In January 2007, aged 16, Woods become the fourth-youngest ever player to feature for Chelsea’s first team after coming on as a substitute against Macclesfield Town in the FA Cup as a replacement for former England star Frank Lampard.

Stints at Yeovil and Doncaster followed for the former England Under 17 and 19 international, before Woods moved to Harrogate where he netted nine goals during 39 appearances.

He then moved back to the Football League with Hartlepool after a season with the then-National North team, playing 144 matches during his four years with the County Durham side and finishing as the Pool’s top scorer with 11 goals in his final season, before transferring back to Harrogate in November 2018.

Welcome to Crabble Michael!

SUPPORTERS’ CLUB RAISE FUNDS FOR WHITES

Whites’ were given a financial boost on Thursday courtesy of the Dover Athletic Supporters’ Club.

Supporters’ club chairman Vicky Chambers (Pictured with Dover Athletic Club Secretary Frank Clarke), handed over a cheque for £2,000, taking their total donations raised for Athletic to £5,850 during the course of the 2018/19 National League campaign.

The fund-raising is far from over and the Supporters’ Club are on the lookout for new members!

Visit www.dasc.co.uk for details on how to join, or follow them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/doverathleticsc) or Twitter (@DAFCClub).

DONE DEAL FOR MUNNS

Dover Athletic are delighted to announce the signature of midfielder Jack Munns on a two-year deal from July 1st.

The 25-year-old Londoner joins having spent last season with fellow National League side Dagenham & Redbridge.

The attacking midfielder spent his early years with Leyton Orient, Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton Athletic, before moving to Cheltenham Town in 2015, winning the National League title in his first campaign with the Robins.

Munns netted nine times in 60 appearances during two seasons with Cheltenham, including a hattrick against FC Halifax Town in October 2015.

He then moved to Hartlepool United following the County Durham side’s relegation from the Football League in 2017, before moving back south to join the Daggers in September 2018.

Welcome to Crabble Jack!

PITCH RECEIVES MAKEOVER

The new football season might be two months away but preparations have already started on Crabble’s turf ahead of Whites’ 2019/20 National League campaign.

Following the installation of the fibre sand pitch last year, Dover Head Groundsman Sid Fletcher is now performing the necessary maintenance work to ensure the ground is in top condition ahead of Whites’ first pre-season match at Crabble, against Maidstone United on Tuesday 16th July.

“It was a big job last year,” said Sid, “however, it’s a smaller in-house renovation this summer and we have a lot more time to get the pitch how we want it.

“There were a few bald spots towards the end of last season, so we have overseeded and implemented the fertilising regime to allow the grass to grow all over the pitch.

“The plastic fibres in the sand will give the turf the necessary strength needed to withstand the rigours of a football season and I can’t wait to see the finished product.

“My aim is for it to look the same at the end of the season as it will at the start!”

LIONS TO VISIT CRABBLE

Athletic have added a further friendly to their pre-season schedule with a Millwall XI to visit Crabble on Monday 29th July.

The match against the Championship side will kick off at 7:30 pm.

Whites’ updated pre-season fixture list is as follows:

Wednesday 3rd July 7:30 pm – Bearsted FC (A)
Saturday 6th July 3 pm – Folkestone Invicta (A)
Tuesday 9th July 7:45pm – Beckenham Town (A)
Saturday 13th July 1 pm – K Sports FC (A)
Tuesday 16th July 7:45 pm – Maidstone United (H)
Saturday 20th July 3 pm – Hemel Hempstead Town (A)
Tuesday 23rd July 7:45 pm – Gillingham (H)
Saturday 27th July 3 pm – Colchester United (H)
Monday 29th July 7:30 pm – Millwall XI (H)

CHAMPION PERFORMANCE BY ACADEMY

Dover Athletic’s Academy were crowned National Youth Alliance Champion of Champions after beating Eastleigh Academy 1-0 on Wednesday afternoon.

Joshua Spencer’s header 10 minutes from time saw the young Whites’ triumph in the final, held at Oxford City’s ground, as Mike Sandmann’s side completed a league and cup double and remain unbeaten during the season.

Academy boss Sandmann said: “I’m really proud of the boys and they have been rewarded for all the hard work they have put in.

“We did some set piece drills in training and spoke about them again at half-time as it was such a tight game, so it was nice to see us score the winner from a free-kick.

“The lads have come far in their time with us and to be crowned the best academy team in the country, plus go the whole campaign without defeat is something quite special and proof of what a great set-up we have between Dover Athletic and the Abbey School.”

“We have two more tournaments with this group in June and before we welcome a new group from July – and the new lads already have a lot to live up to!

“Most of the existing squad are certainly ready for first-team football and I hope to see a couple involved during pre-season.”

After lifting the trophy, winning captain Jack Smith said: It was such a close game. At half-time we all felt we could do better and picked up the tempo in the second half.

“To be the Champion of Champions is such a great feeling and it was a real honour to lead out this team.

“The coaching here is excellent and being part of the Dover academy has helped improve me and prepare me for men’s football.”

You can watch Joshua Spencer’s winner below

MERSIN SIGNS ON

Dover Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper Yusuf Mersin on a two-year contract.

The 24-year-old Londoner, who stands at impressive six feet and five inches tall, featured 19 times for Crawley Town during a three-year spell with the League Two club before being released earlier this month.

Mersin played for Turkish Premier League for Kasimpasa FC before returning to the UK to sign for Crawley in 2016.

The giant stopper, who has represented Turkey at both under-17 and under-18 levels, commanded a seven-figure transfer fee when he moved from Millwall to Liverpool as a youngster.

Welcome to Crabble Yusuf!

ACADEMY THROUGH TO FINAL

Dover Athletic’s academy will play in the National Youth Alliance Champion of Champions final after defeating AFC Stamford academy 1-0 on Wednesday night.

Ryan Kingsford’s 25th minute goal set up a final against Eastleigh academy, to be played on Wednesday 22nd May at Oxford City, kick off 2 pm.

Academy boss Mike Sandmann said of the victory afterwards. “It’s a fantastic achievement to be in the final out of all the academies in the country and shows where our group of players are and how hard they are willing to work to develop.

“The group have been excellent throughout and I couldn’t be more proud them. We will be hoping to be crowned the best academy in the country next week and I know the lads will do everything possible to make that happen.

“The final will be the last game for some of our players and it’s been an absolute pleasure to enjoy their progress and development.”

MORE FRIENDLIES CONFIRMED

Whites have added two more matches to their pre-season schedule.

Andy Hessenthaler’s side will travel to Eden Park Avenue to play Southern Counties East Football League side Beckenham Town on Tuesday 9th July (Kick off 7:45 pm) and Vauxhall Road to face National League South team Hemel Hempstead Town, managed by former Dover player Sammy Moore, on Saturday 20th July (Kick off 3 pm).

Athletic’s updated pre-season fixture list is as follows:

ACADEMY THROUGH TO SEMI-FINALS

Whites’ youngsters moved in the final four of the National Youth Alliance Champions of Champions after defeating Chester FC Academy 5-4 on penalties on Wednesday evening.

Trailing by two goals at the break, a Marshall Wratten goal in the 67th minute and a Ryan Kingsford penalty 12 minutes from time saw the quarter-final tie, played at the Abbey School in Faversham, decided by spot-kicks.

Academy boss Mike Sandmann said of his team afterwards, “I couldn’t be more proud of the players last night. To come back like they did against a side undefeated in their own league this season shows true character and desire.

“I don’t think we played particularly well, but the result is the most important thing and it is fantastic for our academy – in partnership with the Abbey School – to be recognised as one of the top academy sides in the country.

“The players deserve all the credit for getting this far and hopefully we can reach the final.”

Dover’s academy have been drawn away to FCV Stamford in the semi-final, scheduled for Wednesday 15th May.

Watch Harisson Pont’s winning penalty below.