Dover Athletic expect bumper crowd for Gills' visit

Dover Athletic are expecting a crowd of around 3,000 for the club's first pre-season friendly against our old friends Gillingham, writes Steve Ethelbert.

The match will feature a full-strength Gillingham side, including their new signings, and Andy Hessenthaler's new-look Whites side.

Hessenthaler, the ex-Gills boss, is a legend at Priestfield and a large number of fans from the Medway club want to welcome their prodigal son back to the county as well as watch Ronnie Jepson's new-look side.

And Paul Scally, the Gillingham chairman, has, in a remarkable gesture of goodwill, told the Ryman League Division One South club that they can keep ALL the gate money from the friendly clash.

Jepson takes his side across the Channel to Le Touquet today for a five-day session in the French resort before returning by ferry on Saturday morning.

Then it's straight to Crabble to take on Whites just hours later for a friendly.

It will be a significant game for both clubs - with Gillingham promising a full-strength squad boasting their new signings, while for Hessenthaler it will be a chance to show off the Whites team he has been rebuilding since his appointment earlier this summer.

Scally said: "We hope there will be a big turn-out for the game and hopefully it will be a sell-out.

"We'll be fielding a strong side, with our new recruits and in our new strip.

"Dover have been good to us in the past so we're happy to let them benefit from what I hope will be a big travelling support.

"We are keen to support Hess and I'm sure we'll bring him back some duty frees."

The club urge fans to get to Crabble early to avoid long queues at the turnstiles.

Jim Parmenter, the Whites chairman, told www.doverathletic.com: "I am delighted that we are able to welcome the Gills to Crabble. I’m sure the match will be a fine exhibition of all that’s best in football.

"The pitch is looking superb and will lend itself well to some smooth flowing football."

Meanwhile, the Supporters Trust will be making a collection at half-time and at full-time - with all money being donated to Dennis and Marion Hammond.

Dennis is suffering from Motor Neurone Disease and the Ryman League club would like to help them with the increasing costs that they are having to meet with Dennis’s respite care. All donations will be gratefully received on their behalf.

Article courtesy of www.doverathletic.com

Dover Athletic v Gillingham
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 21^st July 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Crabble Athletic Ground, Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent CT17 0JB