FC Halifax Town travel down to face Dover Athletic this Saturday in the Vanarama National League.
Here are 10 things you may not have known about the southern side.
- Formed in 1983 after the dissolution of Dover FC, it makes them one of the youngest sides in the National League at just 36 years old.
- The club won the Premier Division in 1990 but were denied entry to the Football Conference as their ground wasn’t up to standard. They were eventually promoted to the Conference in 1993.
- Dover’s main rivalry is with Folkstone Invicta who are currently in the Isthmian League Premier Division. They also have a strong rivalry with Margate and when both teams were in the Conference, a total of 6000 watched the two fixtures.
- Dover’s record finish in the English Football League was fifth in the National League from the 2015-16 season. However, a 1-0 loss and a 1-1 draw to Forrest Green in the playoffs meant Dover failed to escape the National League.
- Dover’s traditional colours are black and white which was the same for the old club. Whilst the away kit has varied in colour and is currently yellow with a blue third kit.
- Dover have always played at the Crabble Ground. With a capacity of 5745 it makes it the 11th biggest in the National League.
- The club’s longest serving manager is currently Chris Kinnear who has managed Dover for a combined 15 years with a spell from 1985 to 1995 and then 2013 to 2018.
- Current manager Andy Hessenthaler is in his second spell with Dover. Originally managing them between 2007 and 2010. He was reappointed manager in October 2018.
- Current Dover player Ricky Modeste has made three appearances for his native Grenada, scoring two goals.
- Former England international Peter Taylor managed Dover for a brief spell during the 1995-96 season. He guided them to 20th which was enough to avoid relegation as only two went down that year.
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