*BS*Dover Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of striker Stefan Payne, who joins the club on a free transfer. Payne scored 31 goals in 46 appearances for AFC Hornchurch last season, and has signed a one-year deal.*BF*

The 22-year-old is manager Chris Kinnear’s first signing of the summer, as the side prepare for a return to the Conference Premier.

Payne started his career at Croydon, before joining Sutton United in 2009 and scoring a hat-trick on his debut. He soon caught the eye of Football League scouts, and the striker signed for Fulham in 2009.

He then recorded 27 appearances for Gillingham, before spells at Braintree Town, Aldershot Town, Sutton United, Macclesfield Town and Ebbsfleet United. In August 2013, the Lambeth-born man joined AFC Hornchurch, where he netted 31 goals and contributed 11 assists.

Chris Kinnear has been a long-time admirer of the youngster, and the club are delighted to welcome Stefan to Crabble.

*Link1*

*Link2*

*BS*Dover Athletic are delighted to announce the signing of striker Stefan Payne, who joins the club on a free transfer. Payne scored 31 goals in 46 appearances for AFC Hornchurch last season, and has signed a one-year deal.*BF*

The 22-year-old is manager Chris Kinnear’s first signing of the summer, as the side prepare for a return to the Conference Premier.

Payne started his career at Croydon, before joining Sutton United in 2009 and scoring a hat-trick on his debut. He soon caught the eye of Football League scouts, and the striker signed for Fulham in 2009.

He then recorded 27 appearances for Gillingham, before spells at Braintree Town, Aldershot Town, Sutton United, Macclesfield Town and Ebbsfleet United. In August 2013, the Lambeth-born man joined AFC Hornchurch, where he netted 31 goals and contributed 11 assists.

Chris Kinnear has been a long-time admirer of the youngster, and the club are delighted to welcome Stefan to Crabble.

*Link1*

*Link2*

——————————————————————-
*Link1*
——————————————————————-

From http://www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk/ –

Saturday’s Skrill South Promotion Final at Ebbsfleet United will NOT be an all-ticket match, but segregation will be in force.

Following a meeting with the police and safety officials this morning, Ebbsfleet United can confirm that the Skrill South Promotion Final this Saturday will NOT be all ticket but there will be segregation of fans in operation.

Dover have been allocated the entire Swanscombe End plus 177 seats at the Swanscombe End of the Main Stand.

The match kicks off at 3.00pm and gates will open at 1.00pm. Prices are adults £10, concessions £8, juniors £5 and U12s accompanied by an adult are free (please see the EUFC admission page for details of the age limits for these groups).

There is plenty of parking available at Ebbsfleet International Station at £3 per car. More about car parking and directions to Stonebridge Road can be found here.

No alcohol will be allowed to be consumed in view of the pitch.

——————————————————————-
*Link1*
——————————————————————-

From http://www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk/ –

Saturday’s Skrill South Promotion Final at Ebbsfleet United will NOT be an all-ticket match, but segregation will be in force.

Following a meeting with the police and safety officials this morning, Ebbsfleet United can confirm that the Skrill South Promotion Final this Saturday will NOT be all ticket but there will be segregation of fans in operation.

Dover have been allocated the entire Swanscombe End plus 177 seats at the Swanscombe End of the Main Stand.

The match kicks off at 3.00pm and gates will open at 1.00pm. Prices are adults £10, concessions £8, juniors £5 and U12s accompanied by an adult are free (please see the EUFC admission page for details of the age limits for these groups).

There is plenty of parking available at Ebbsfleet International Station at £3 per car. More about car parking and directions to Stonebridge Road can be found here.

No alcohol will be allowed to be consumed in view of the pitch.

*BS*Dover Athletic are looking to win the Kent Senior Cup for the first time in 23 years when they take on Ebbsfleet United in the final at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium as part of the 125th anniversary on Bank Holiday Monday.*BF*

Whites head into this fixture as top goal-scorers of this competition – scoring an impressive 17 goals in their four Kent Senior Cup games – and could claim a first trophy for manager Chris Kinnear since he rejoined the club in January 2013.

With both sides meeting again in the Skrill South Promotion Final just five days later, this clash can be considered as Part I of II of the big Kent battle with tension surrounding this week since the events of which occurred in pre-season.

However, with the majority of the importance and significance riding on the play-off final, this Kent Senior Cup final may be regarded as just a ‘warm-up game’ and an opportunity for both sides to rest key players ahead of Saturday.

*BS*TEAM NEWS:*BF*
With the Promotion Final in everyone’s minds, Kinnear is expected to recall Lee Hook, Ricky Gabriel, Michael Kamara, Terrell Forbes, James Rogers, Elliott Charles, Jeff Goulding, Tom Murphy and the handful of DAFC Academy players to the 16-man squad – all of whom did not start Saturday’s astonishing 3-0 win at Sutton United.

If, however, Kinnear opts to name a strong side with silverware in mind, then the players that will definitely miss this tie are Barry Cogan (suspended) and Callum Davies (cup-tied – having played for Gillingham in the first round) while Craig Stone is largely expected to start as he will miss Saturday’s play-off final through suspension.

*Lpic1**BS*HOW BOTH TEAMS REACHED THE FINAL:*BF*
Whites started their campaign back in September when they hosted Margate – Kinnear’s former club before he left for Crabble – in the first round and crushed the Ryman Premier League club with a resounding 8-0 win.

Michael Bakare, now at Tonbridge Angels, scored a hat-trick while an Ashley Carew brace and further goals from Nathan Elder, Cogan and a John Beales own goal helped Dover equal their biggest competitive victory – of which the same score line was achieved when Whites overcame East Preston in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round in 2009.

This victory set up a next-round tie with Erith & Belvedere – a division lower than Margate – which was not as straightforward and comprehensive as the first round tie as they beat the Ryman Division One North side 3-1 at Crabble after goals from Elder, Charles and Ricky Modeste.

The side’s best performance in the competition this season arguably came at Dartford over five months later as Whites swept past the Skrill Premier side at the quarter-final stage – with goals coming from trialist Andre Blackman, Moses Ademola’s first strike of the season and an own goal from Tom Wellham in a 3-0 win.

Whites hosted Bromley in the semi-finals little over a month ago and recovered from a losing position to win the tie 3-2 thanks to goals from Kamara and a late, dramatic brace from Charles.

*Ppic1*Ebbsfleet’s route to the final was completed with wins over Tonbridge (3-0), Sittingbourne (6-1), Tunbridge Wells (3-1) and Whitstable Town (2-0) – with former Dover strikers Ben May and Billy Bricknell scoring three goals each in this season’s competition.

They have scored 13 goals en route to the final – a record only beaten by their opponents with 17 – although they have conceded less goals than Dover in the competition.

The final is a repeat of the 1991 final – the last time Whites won the Kent Senior Cup when Leroy Ambrose scored the only goal of the game against then-Gravesend & Northfleet at Priestfield during Kinnear’s first spell in charge of Dover.

Whites fans who witnessed that victory will be hoping for déjà vu as Dover look to clinch their first piece of silverware since winning the Ryman Premier League in 2009.

*BS*MORE INFORMATION ON THE GAME:*BF*
Details on purchasing tickets for this game can be found *Link1* while details on the Supporters Club travelling to Priestfield can be found *Link2*.

If, however, you cannot make the game, then live text commentary will be brought to you by Kieran Dodd on Twitter – follow *Link3* from 14:00 where team news, pre-match build up, live coverage and photos will be provided as always.

*BS*Dover Athletic are looking to win the Kent Senior Cup for the first time in 23 years when they take on Ebbsfleet United in the final at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium as part of the 125th anniversary on Bank Holiday Monday.*BF*

Whites head into this fixture as top goal-scorers of this competition – scoring an impressive 17 goals in their four Kent Senior Cup games – and could claim a first trophy for manager Chris Kinnear since he rejoined the club in January 2013.

With both sides meeting again in the Skrill South Promotion Final just five days later, this clash can be considered as Part I of II of the big Kent battle with tension surrounding this week since the events of which occurred in pre-season.

However, with the majority of the importance and significance riding on the play-off final, this Kent Senior Cup final may be regarded as just a ‘warm-up game’ and an opportunity for both sides to rest key players ahead of Saturday.

*BS*TEAM NEWS:*BF*
With the Promotion Final in everyone’s minds, Kinnear is expected to recall Lee Hook, Ricky Gabriel, Michael Kamara, Terrell Forbes, James Rogers, Elliott Charles, Jeff Goulding, Tom Murphy and the handful of DAFC Academy players to the 16-man squad – all of whom did not start Saturday’s astonishing 3-0 win at Sutton United.

If, however, Kinnear opts to name a strong side with silverware in mind, then the players that will definitely miss this tie are Barry Cogan (suspended) and Callum Davies (cup-tied – having played for Gillingham in the first round) while Craig Stone is largely expected to start as he will miss Saturday’s play-off final through suspension.

*Lpic1**BS*HOW BOTH TEAMS REACHED THE FINAL:*BF*
Whites started their campaign back in September when they hosted Margate – Kinnear’s former club before he left for Crabble – in the first round and crushed the Ryman Premier League club with a resounding 8-0 win.

Michael Bakare, now at Tonbridge Angels, scored a hat-trick while an Ashley Carew brace and further goals from Nathan Elder, Cogan and a John Beales own goal helped Dover equal their biggest competitive victory – of which the same score line was achieved when Whites overcame East Preston in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round in 2009.

This victory set up a next-round tie with Erith & Belvedere – a division lower than Margate – which was not as straightforward and comprehensive as the first round tie as they beat the Ryman Division One North side 3-1 at Crabble after goals from Elder, Charles and Ricky Modeste.

The side’s best performance in the competition this season arguably came at Dartford over five months later as Whites swept past the Skrill Premier side at the quarter-final stage – with goals coming from trialist Andre Blackman, Moses Ademola’s first strike of the season and an own goal from Tom Wellham in a 3-0 win.

Whites hosted Bromley in the semi-finals little over a month ago and recovered from a losing position to win the tie 3-2 thanks to goals from Kamara and a late, dramatic brace from Charles.

*Ppic1*Ebbsfleet’s route to the final was completed with wins over Tonbridge (3-0), Sittingbourne (6-1), Tunbridge Wells (3-1) and Whitstable Town (2-0) – with former Dover strikers Ben May and Billy Bricknell scoring three goals each in this season’s competition.

They have scored 13 goals en route to the final – a record only beaten by their opponents with 17 – although they have conceded less goals than Dover in the competition.

The final is a repeat of the 1991 final – the last time Whites won the Kent Senior Cup when Leroy Ambrose scored the only goal of the game against then-Gravesend & Northfleet at Priestfield during Kinnear’s first spell in charge of Dover.

Whites fans who witnessed that victory will be hoping for déjà vu as Dover look to clinch their first piece of silverware since winning the Ryman Premier League in 2009.

*BS*MORE INFORMATION ON THE GAME:*BF*
Details on purchasing tickets for this game can be found *Link1* while details on the Supporters Club travelling to Priestfield can be found *Link2*.

If, however, you cannot make the game, then live text commentary will be brought to you by Kieran Dodd on Twitter – follow *Link3* from 14:00 where team news, pre-match build up, live coverage and photos will be provided as always.

*BS*Congratulations to Ryan Hanson who has just signed for Premier League side Crystal Palace having impressed in a 6 week trial.*BF*

Ryan, who lives in River and attends Dover Boys Grammar School, was scouted by the South London club whilst playing for Dover Athletic’s under-13 side in a Kent League tournament last May.

Ryan had played for Dover Rangers since the age of 6 and moved over with his teammates to Dover Athletic this season for their first year in the Kent Youth League.

The youngster impressed in the first three weeks of his trial last October, but because he wanted to continue to play for Dover, the rest of trial was put on hold until this March. The final three weeks included playing games against Brighton, Charlton and Chelsea, and following that final game he was offered a contract until the end of the 2014/15 season.

Ryan is believed to be only the second outfield player that Palace have signed in this age group in the last eighteen months.

Hanson also plays for Dover District and as an under-11 he was selected to play for Kent. Whilst playing for his county, he was scouted by Tottenham Hotspur and was also scouted by Gillingham whilst playing for Dover Rangers.

Ryan’s dad, Simon, explains further: “We felt that this was too early for him to join an Academy, and decided to wait and see if there was any interest in him ready for his under 14 season.

“We were keen for him to try at Palace as they have an excellent reputation for their Academy and were prepared to be patient to allow him to finish his season with Dover and recognise the benefit of his education whilst developing his football.

“We wanted to give Ryan the best opportunity to develop whilst wanting him to have fun and enjoy his junior football. He has also, up until recently, trained with Soccer Elite at Maidstone with two coaches with strong Dover connections – Lee Spiller and Tony Browne.”

The Youth Section of Dover Athletic aim to develop young footballers and are proud to produce high calibre players that are good enough to sign for Premier League, Championship and Football League Clubs.

Dover Athletic’s under-13 side enjoyed a successful season, finishing third in their division and ending the campaign as the league’s top scorers with 56 goals in just 16 games. The side play their home games at Tilmanstone in the Charlton Athletic Valley Express Youth League, and have this season recorded notable wins of 12-0 against Invicta Lions, 9-0 versus Margate Youth and 9-2 over Canterbury City.

Academy stars that have progressed through Crystal Palace’s Academy system include Wayne Routledge, Victor Moses, Wilfried Zaha and Nathaniel Clyne.

If you would like further information on how to join Dover Athletic’s Academy setup, please contact Academy Manager, Mike Sandmann, for more details: msandmann@abbeyschoolfaversham.co.uk

Based at the Abbey School in Faversham, the Academy team benefit from excellent facilities and modern 3G training pitches, and play many of their home fixtures on the superb pitch here at Crabble.

Dover Athletic would like to congratulate Ryan on his successes and we wish him all the best in the future.

*BS*Dover Athletic travel to Surrey to face Sutton United in the second leg of the Skrill South play-off semi-final after both teams *Link1* in the first leg at Crabble on Wednesday evening.*BF*

Whites were left stunned after Craig Dundas’ first-minute goal put the U’s 1-0 up but Moses Ademola’s equaliser for Dover just before half-time leaves this tie evenly poised going into Saturday’s second leg.

The winners of this tie are likely to face Ebbsfleet United in next Saturday’s final after the Fleet comprehensively beat 10-man Bromley 4-0 in the other play-off semi-final tie – with former Whites Ben May, Billy Bricknell and Daryl McMahon all finding the net.

Many Whites fans will be dreaming of an Ebbsfleet-Dover final but first, Whites must overcome a tough challenge at Sutton in now what is arguably billed as Dover’s biggest game of the season.

*Lpic1**BS*TEAM NEWS:*BF*
Despite Moses Ademola suffering a late injury scare during Whites’ final preparations before kick-off, Wednesday’s goalscorer was fine to continue and is expected to maintain his place in the starting line-up as manager Chris Kinnear is faced with no new injury worries.

Barry Cogan will serve the second game of his four-match suspension while Saturday could potentially be Gillingham-loanee Callum Davies’ final game for the club.

The centre-back, who has spent his time in midfield at Dover for the past month, is cup-tied for Monday’s Kent Senior Cup Final and will be hoping his Dover spell will not end at Gander Green Lane, at least on loan anyway.

*BS*OPPOSITION FORM:*BF*
Sutton’s draw at Crabble on Wednesday evening extended their remarkable league form – having lost only once in their last 22 Skrill South league matches including the play-offs.

The Surrey side finished with the second-best home form in the Skrill South behind champions Eastleigh as they won an impressive 15 games out of their 21 matches at Gander Green Lane.

One of their victories included a *Link2* over Whites back in September, with Dean McDonald – who appeared as a trialist for Dover in pre-season – scoring the only goal of the game before Ademola was controversially sent off in the second half.

The U’s also scored 44 goals at Gander Green lane in the regular Skrill South – giving them a ratio of just over 2 goals per game and making them the second-best highest goalscorers at home in the league behind Bromley.

*Lpic2**BS*HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD AT GANDER GREEN LANE:*BF*
Dover have a poor record at Sutton’s ground – having failed to win there in their last five matches in all competitions and scoring only twice in the process.

Whites’ last victory at Gander Green Lane stretches back to 14 years ago when Gwynne Berry’s second-half own goal gifted Dover a 1-0 win in the Conference in May 2000 – clinching their highest ever position in their history in the same season the U’s were relegated from the division.

Both sides go head-to-head once more with both looking to clinch promotion back to the league they have not participated in since the early 2000’s – the Conference Premier, which is the highest level of non-league football.

*BS*MORE INFORMATION ON THE GAME:*BF*
The Supporters club will be running two coaches to the ground – *Link3* to book your place now to avoid the disappointment of missing out.

The car park at Sutton’s ground will be free of use, however the club expect it to be filled early on in the day so public transport is recommended – the ground is next to West Sutton train station and it’s on the 413 bus route.

The turnstiles open at 13:30 while the club bar opens at midday – where away fans are welcome to enjoy pre-match drinks, with four different real ales on handpump.

All supporters are reminded that drums are *BS*NOT*BF* allowed to be brought into the ground, while bringing in items such as flares, fireworks or smokebombs are considered to be a criminal offence which could lead up to three months in jail.

We all hope you enjoy your day at Gander Green Lane and we secure a result to book our place in the Skrill South play-off final!

If, however, you cannot make the game, then live text commentary on Twitter will be provided by Kieran Dodd and Matt Clements again – just follow @DAFCLiveText from 14:00.

*BS*ADMISSION PRICES:*BF*
Adults: £12
Concessions: £6
Under 16’s: £2
Stand Transfer: £1

COYW!

*BS*Congratulations to Ryan Hanson who has just signed for Premier League side Crystal Palace having impressed in a 6 week trial.*BF*

Ryan, who lives in River and attends Dover Boys Grammar School, was scouted by the South London club whilst playing for Dover Athletic’s under-13 side in a Kent League tournament last May.

Ryan had played for Dover Rangers since the age of 6 and moved over with his teammates to Dover Athletic this season for their first year in the Kent Youth League.

The youngster impressed in the first three weeks of his trial last October, but because he wanted to continue to play for Dover, the rest of trial was put on hold until this March. The final three weeks included playing games against Brighton, Charlton and Chelsea, and following that final game he was offered a contract until the end of the 2014/15 season.

Ryan is believed to be only the second outfield player that Palace have signed in this age group in the last eighteen months.

Hanson also plays for Dover District and as an under-11 he was selected to play for Kent. Whilst playing for his county, he was scouted by Tottenham Hotspur and was also scouted by Gillingham whilst playing for Dover Rangers.

Ryan’s dad, Simon, explains further: “We felt that this was too early for him to join an Academy, and decided to wait and see if there was any interest in him ready for his under 14 season.

“We were keen for him to try at Palace as they have an excellent reputation for their Academy and were prepared to be patient to allow him to finish his season with Dover and recognise the benefit of his education whilst developing his football.

“We wanted to give Ryan the best opportunity to develop whilst wanting him to have fun and enjoy his junior football. He has also, up until recently, trained with Soccer Elite at Maidstone with two coaches with strong Dover connections – Lee Spiller and Tony Browne.”

The Youth Section of Dover Athletic aim to develop young footballers and are proud to produce high calibre players that are good enough to sign for Premier League, Championship and Football League Clubs.

Dover Athletic’s under-13 side enjoyed a successful season, finishing third in their division and ending the campaign as the league’s top scorers with 56 goals in just 16 games. The side play their home games at Tilmanstone in the Charlton Athletic Valley Express Youth League, and have this season recorded notable wins of 12-0 against Invicta Lions, 9-0 versus Margate Youth and 9-2 over Canterbury City.

Academy stars that have progressed through Crystal Palace’s Academy system include Wayne Routledge, Victor Moses, Wilfried Zaha and Nathaniel Clyne.

If you would like further information on how to join Dover Athletic’s Academy setup, please contact Academy Manager, Mike Sandmann, for more details: msandmann@abbeyschoolfaversham.co.uk

Based at the Abbey School in Faversham, the Academy team benefit from excellent facilities and modern 3G training pitches, and play many of their home fixtures on the superb pitch here at Crabble.

Dover Athletic would like to congratulate Ryan on his successes and we wish him all the best in the future.

*BS*Dover Athletic travel to Surrey to face Sutton United in the second leg of the Skrill South play-off semi-final after both teams *Link1* in the first leg at Crabble on Wednesday evening.*BF*

Whites were left stunned after Craig Dundas’ first-minute goal put the U’s 1-0 up but Moses Ademola’s equaliser for Dover just before half-time leaves this tie evenly poised going into Saturday’s second leg.

The winners of this tie are likely to face Ebbsfleet United in next Saturday’s final after the Fleet comprehensively beat 10-man Bromley 4-0 in the other play-off semi-final tie – with former Whites Ben May, Billy Bricknell and Daryl McMahon all finding the net.

Many Whites fans will be dreaming of an Ebbsfleet-Dover final but first, Whites must overcome a tough challenge at Sutton in now what is arguably billed as Dover’s biggest game of the season.

*Lpic1**BS*TEAM NEWS:*BF*
Despite Moses Ademola suffering a late injury scare during Whites’ final preparations before kick-off, Wednesday’s goalscorer was fine to continue and is expected to maintain his place in the starting line-up as manager Chris Kinnear is faced with no new injury worries.

Barry Cogan will serve the second game of his four-match suspension while Saturday could potentially be Gillingham-loanee Callum Davies’ final game for the club.

The centre-back, who has spent his time in midfield at Dover for the past month, is cup-tied for Monday’s Kent Senior Cup Final and will be hoping his Dover spell will not end at Gander Green Lane, at least on loan anyway.

*BS*OPPOSITION FORM:*BF*
Sutton’s draw at Crabble on Wednesday evening extended their remarkable league form – having lost only once in their last 22 Skrill South league matches including the play-offs.

The Surrey side finished with the second-best home form in the Skrill South behind champions Eastleigh as they won an impressive 15 games out of their 21 matches at Gander Green Lane.

One of their victories included a *Link2* over Whites back in September, with Dean McDonald – who appeared as a trialist for Dover in pre-season – scoring the only goal of the game before Ademola was controversially sent off in the second half.

The U’s also scored 44 goals at Gander Green lane in the regular Skrill South – giving them a ratio of just over 2 goals per game and making them the second-best highest goalscorers at home in the league behind Bromley.

*Lpic2**BS*HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD AT GANDER GREEN LANE:*BF*
Dover have a poor record at Sutton’s ground – having failed to win there in their last five matches in all competitions and scoring only twice in the process.

Whites’ last victory at Gander Green Lane stretches back to 14 years ago when Gwynne Berry’s second-half own goal gifted Dover a 1-0 win in the Conference in May 2000 – clinching their highest ever position in their history in the same season the U’s were relegated from the division.

Both sides go head-to-head once more with both looking to clinch promotion back to the league they have not participated in since the early 2000’s – the Conference Premier, which is the highest level of non-league football.

*BS*MORE INFORMATION ON THE GAME:*BF*
The Supporters club will be running two coaches to the ground – *Link3* to book your place now to avoid the disappointment of missing out.

The car park at Sutton’s ground will be free of use, however the club expect it to be filled early on in the day so public transport is recommended – the ground is next to West Sutton train station and it’s on the 413 bus route.

The turnstiles open at 13:30 while the club bar opens at midday – where away fans are welcome to enjoy pre-match drinks, with four different real ales on handpump.

All supporters are reminded that drums are *BS*NOT*BF* allowed to be brought into the ground, while bringing in items such as flares, fireworks or smokebombs are considered to be a criminal offence which could lead up to three months in jail.

We all hope you enjoy your day at Gander Green Lane and we secure a result to book our place in the Skrill South play-off final!

If, however, you cannot make the game, then live text commentary on Twitter will be provided by Kieran Dodd and Matt Clements again – just follow @DAFCLiveText from 14:00.

*BS*ADMISSION PRICES:*BF*
Adults: £12
Concessions: £6
Under 16’s: £2
Stand Transfer: £1

COYW!