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Dover Athletic v Barnet

Saturday 15 December, 3:00pm

Telephone 01304 822373

Dover's season so far hasn't been too spectacular. Currently lying 20th, three places off the bottom, they have lost 15 games, winning 7 and only drawing 1.

Most of the 23 goals have been scored by Scott, 13 in total, and have let in 38.

Their highest defeat was 0-4 to Woking away and have also lost 0-3 twice.

The season got off to a bad start losing the first five games before finally beating Hayes 3-2 at home. They then lost to Hereford 0-3 away followed by two more wins over Boston (3-2) and Stalybridge Celtic (1-0) both at home. Another losing streak of four matches followed until they beat Northwich (2-1) at home. After losing to Dagenham & Redbridge (0-1) away their only draw of the season was 1-1 at Scarborough. The last seven league games were won and lost alternatively except losing the last two, 3-4 away to Telford and 0-1 at home to Southport.

With five out of their seven wins being at home Dover are quite strong on their on pitch, although they have lost the other seven, all by the odd goal. Their wins have been against lower opposition so Barnet should win this one, but with 'Super Ben' suspended hopefully Wayne or Neil can find the net, ably backed up by Marks I and II.

John Still has the luxury of a full squad to choose from for the trip to struggling Dover. The team are on a high after thrashing Second Division Reading 4-1 in the LDV Vans Trophy on December 4 and the Still said: "Our confidence is quite high. But the league is different and we will need another professional approach against Dover."

Dover goalkeeper Phillip Smith will again be absent. Smith has missed out on the last six league matches with a broken finger while midfielder Matt Carruthers is out with ankle ligament damage. Dover have lost four of their last five home encounters.

Last Six Matches
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Last Six Home Matches
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Last Six Away Matches
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History

The following has been abridged from http://members.tripod.co.uk/jjep/Frameset-latest.htm

Dover Athletic was formed in 1983, following the demise of Dover FC. The Club continued to play Southern League Football, at Crabble and began a steady climb back up the Southern leagues. Dover AFC eventually won promotion to the Football Conference in 1993 after radical changes to Crabble.

Prior to that they were known as Dover Football Club, but they folded in 1982. As far as I can gather, the history of Dover FC is sketchy prior to the 1959/60 season, although there are FA Cup records going back to 1946. They were promoted to the Southern Premier league in the 1966/67 season. They had some successful years, finishing third twice in a row, but most of their seasons ended in mid-table mediocrity. They were briefly relegated to the Southern Division One in 1977/78, only to be promoted back again as champions. The league was re-organised and was called the Southern and Midland Division. They finished third in 1978/79, then seventh, then 13th. The 1982/83 season was to be the last. The reason is not all that clear, but it is believed to have been finance problems. The club finished 13th.

In 1987/88 they were the Southern League Division (one?) champions, then in 1989/90 they were champions of the Southern League Premier Division, but due to ground problems, the club could not enter the Conference. The next two seasons saw the whites finish fourth and second. By this time, the ground was being improved in readiness for promotion.

Finally, in the 1992/93 season, Dover finished top, crowned champions for the second time, and took their place in the Conference.

The first season in the Conference went well, finishing in eighth place, while the next four season were very dull. As the results became worse, so did the attendances. In 1995, Dover were very lucky to be in the Conference, after finishing third from bottom. At the time only two went down. In 1996, new management took over. After three years of relegation battles, most supporters would have been satisfied just with surviving in 1997/98, but Bill Williams exceeded expectations. The Whites finished a very respectable 13th.

In 1997/98 they came agonisingly close to a Wembley FA Trophy final. After wins against Purfleet, Hereford, Hyde and Barrow, they were through to the semi-final against Cheltenham, over two legs. The first leg, away from home, finished 2-1 to Cheltenham. It finished 2-2 on the day and 4-3 on aggregate to Cheltenham but, despite the disappointment, was still one of the best days in the club's history.

1999/2000 was the most successful season in the club's history and a string of new club records were set. Dover eventually finished the season sixth.

Cottee for Manager?!

The 2001/02 season was much of a bad spell for the whites, including the departure of Manager, Bill Williams. Chairman Jim Gleeson knew who he wanted. After around 15 managers went for the job, 9 were shot listed. Strong name such as Clive Walker and Tony Cottee (?!) were heard, but only one man came through - Gary Bellamy (Ed - a wise choice ;-). A man who took Chelmsford City to the Dr Martins League that season.

The pre season of 2001/02, saw the likes of Jamie Day, Keith Scotts, John Elliot, Tommy Tyne all join the club. Young players came through the youth, as well seeing around 12 players from the squad leave. The season has not started well for The Whites, having lost their first five games with a spell of being bottom of the Conference. Things were also to get worse at the club as unknown finance troubles at the club unfolded in October. The return of former boss Bill Williams as a small position of General Manager was seen as some what of a saviour of the club, only to find that he was one of the only people left at the club after the chairman Jim Gleeson, Director Roger Knight and Manager Gary Bellamy left just weeks from his return.

Below is Barnet and Dover's league details based on their Home and Away performances.

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