Dover Athletic announce new signings and fixtures for 21/22 Season
Dover Athletic have announced several new signings as they look to build a squad capable of overcoming a 12 point deduction in the 2021/22 season.
Dover were charged by the National League with failure to fulfil four fixtures between February 16 and 27 after placing their squad on furlough and were given a £40,000 fine as well as the deduction of points.
First to be announced – star striker Ricky Miller is back at Dover – four years after leaving for the Football League.
Miller was a huge hit at Crabble after joining from Luton in the summer of 2015.
He enjoyed a phenomenal 2016/17 campaign, scoring 42 goals for Chris Kinnear’s side before signing a three-year deal at Peterborough.
Manager Andy Hessenthaler has also brought in former Bromley forward Ben Williamson.
Williamson left the Ravens earlier this month after joining them from fellow National League side Eastleigh in November 2019.
He went on to make 52 appearances for their Kent rivals, scoring five times, including the goal that secured Bromley’s play-off spot after beating Notts County 1-0 last month.
Dover have also announced the signing of former Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth Argyle, and Coventry City defender, Reda Johnson.
The French-born former Benin international centre-back will be a player-coach for Hessenthaler’s side.
The 33-year-old left fellow National League club Eastleigh in February 2020.
Winger Travis Gregory is back at Crabble for a second season after agreeing a new contract.
The winger, 26, who also played at wing-back last season, played eight times after joining from Leatherhead last summer.
Next-up is the signing of versatile defender Seth Twumasi.
The 31-year-old has spent the past three seasons with fellow National League Club Maidenhead United.
He joined the Magpies from Maidstone United in November 2017 after spending two years at the Gallagher.
Dover have also announced the signing of winger James Caton – for a second time!
The 27-year originally joined them from Southport in February 2017 and scored two goals in two games in what were his only appearances for the club.
Widnes-born Caton started his career at Bolton before signing for Blackpool where he made two appearances in the Championship.
Manager Andy Hessenthaler has added to his attacking options with the signing of winger Khale da Costa.
Da Costa joins after leaving Tonbridge Angels in April.
Staying at Dover is captain from last year Sam Wood has signed a new deal at Crabble.
Wood, 34, survived a cull of the Whites squad that saw 15 players released at the end of last season.
The left-back was offered a new deal by manager Andy Hessenthaler and has decided to stay.
Hessenthaler has moved to bolster his defensive options with the signing of former Millwall defender Jake Goodman.
The 6ft 2in centre-back, who signed professional terms with the Lions in 2012, spent last season with National League South club Ebbsfleet United after making the move across Kent from Bromley.
The 27-year-old arrives at Crabble with plenty of National League experience to his name, having played a combined total of 117 games during time with Luton Town (loan), Aldershot Town (loan), Braintree Town, Maidenhead United, and Bromley.
He’s also played League Two football for AFC Wimbledon while on loan from Millwall.
Dover Athletic have also announced the signing of forward Aaron Cosgrave on a season-long loan from League One side AFC Wimbledon.
Cosgrave, who came through the academy ranks at Colchester United after being at West Ham United as a schoolboy, will wear the number 11 shirt for manager Andy Hessenthaler’s side this season.
He joined the Dons earlier this month after impressing their manager Mark Robinson while spending time with his club at the end of last season.
Dover Athletic have now welcomed the loan signing of Adam Parkes.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper arrives at the club on a season-long loan from Premier League side Watford and trained with his new teammates for the first time on Thursday evening.
Parkes, who will wear the number 20 shirt for manager Andy Hessenthaler’s side this season, has played in the National League previously, playing the final eight games of last season for Barnet.
He kept clean sheets against Sutton United, Maidenhead, and Weymouth in those eight games.
Further signings are sure to be added soon so keep up-to-date with all Dover Athletic news by visiting their website here
Dover kick off their League season at home to Solihull Moors on 21st August.
PRE SEASON SCHEDULE:
July 17th – Ashford United (home) at 3pm
July 20th – Deal Town (away) at 7.30pm
July 24th – Folkestone (home) at 3pm
July 31st – Stevenage (home) at noon
August 3rd – Whitstable Town (away) at 7.30pm
August 6th – Watford (home) at 7.30pm
August 7th – Tonbridge Angels (away) at 3pm
Dover will start our National League campaign against Solihull Moors at Crabble on Saturday, August 21st at 3pm.
Manager Andy Hessenthaler’s side will follow that up with a trip to Maidenhead United a week later before hosting Boreham Wood on Bank Holiday Monday (August 30th, 3pm).
Festive fixtures see Whites host Dagenham & Redbridge on Boxing Day before we make the trip to Woking on December 28th.
They start the New Year with a trip to Dagenham on January 2nd at 3pm.
The final game of the regular season will be at home to Weymouth on Saturday, May 15th.