THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER AND A TWO COURSE MEAL

In 1963, I was a lively Under 12 schoolboy footballer, playing at Collyer's Grammar School, Horsham in West Sussex, a school founded in 1532. Our football coach, Mr Brooshooft (yes really) a biology teacher, came originally from Dover and he arranged for our year group team to "go on tour" to Dover, where we watched a first team game and after played a game against the local selected Dover Schools U12 XI, on Dover FCs pitch winning! We stayed with families overnight, had a tour of the castle, saw the white cliffs.

Dover Football Club (the adults!) is a football club based in Dover, Kent. The club joined the local Kent League in 1894, but folded in 1901. Dover FC was revived a year later, this time as a purely amateur club, and rejoined the Kent League, but folded again in 1909. In 1920, the club reformed, this time as Dover United FC and played in local leagues but disbanded for the third time in 1933. A further incarnation of the club came under the name Dover FC, began play a year later, and then folded in 1947.

A new semi-professional Dover FC was immediately formed and rejoined the Kent League, going on to win the league championship twice in the 1950s before progressing to the Southern League. Dover won the championship of Division One in 1967. Johnny Ray was the leading scorer with 42 goals in 49 games helping the club to gain promotion to the Premier Division, where the club spent eleven seasons before being relegated. In 1983 the club folded due to its massive debts. A new club, Dover Athletic FC, took over its place in the league and remains active. Below, a highlight, sumptious meal part of hospitality, from the recent league game v Eastleigh (The Spitfires). A National League win 1-0 for Dover by the way.

The club's most recent successes: Isthmian League Division One South champions 2007-8 and followed by Premier champions 2008-9. 

Present manager is the well travelled Andy Hessenthaler,

Previous managers include John Ryan once of Norwich City, Peter Taylor (once of England), 

Neville Southall the GK, Gary Bellamy and a few others coming from South-east England.Latest win 1-0 v Eastleigh, next two, home games v Southend Utd and away at Stockport FC. The photo shows the Crabble, its name from the Old English "crabba hol", meaning....a hole where crabs are found!

Bookings are now being taken for our two-course curry night in the VIP Platinum Suite for next Tuesday’s (January 25th) National League game against Eastleigh at Crabble. This package costs £20 (plus the price of a matchday ticket for any non-season ticket holders) and on the menu will be chicken curry with rice and naan bread followed by apple tart and custard (my favourite). A vegetarian curry will also be available. The whole experience includes:

• Butler hosted lounge with large TVs and projector showing the game

• A two-course meal served at your table

• Reserved undercover premium padded seating

• Complimentary tea, coffee & mineral water, plus dedicated paid bar before and after the match

• Complimentary matchday team sheet

Arrival at the ground should be at 6.15 pm and food will be served at  6.45pm.

There are only 64 spaces available, so all tickets will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis.The dress code is smart casual.

The club badge represents the famous English Channel defence, Dover Castle and the "White Cliffs", sung memorably by Vera Lynn to remind the Second World War forces of their home nation, across the water.