United are on their travels this weekend, as they kick off the new season at the Kent coast, facing Dover Athletic.
With pre-season completed, the new season begins for Gary Johnson’s men with a trip to Crabble to face Dover Athletic in league game 1 of 46.
Who’s the boss?
Mitch Brundle took over the managerial position in January 2023 following the departure of Andy Hessenthaler, which made him the youngest manager ever in English football, and managed to stop Dover from having a second successive relegation, although a last day defeat to Weymouth at Crabble meant it was only on goal difference.
Mitch is a former Braintree, Gateshead, Dagenham & Redbridge, Dover Athletic and Barnet player, who was also still a registered Dover player, in his second spell at the club, upon his appointment last season. So far Brundle has made over 300 appearances in midfield and has scored over 30 goals in his 10 year playing career.
Player to watch
James Dunne joined Dover Athletic during this summer following his release by Welling United. Dunne came through the youth ranks at both Wimbledon and then Arsenal, before the Gunners gave him his first professional contract in 2007. Despite having a loan spell at Nottingham Forest during his time at the Emirates, the midfielder didn’t make his first full league appearance until he was signed by Exeter City upon his release from Arsenal in 2009.
Dunne went on to play over 100 games for the Grecians in a three year stay, before being signed by Stevenage in 2012. The 33 year old has also played for Portsmouth, Cambridge United, Swindon Town, Barnet, Southend United and Welling United, while also having loan spells at St Johnstone and Dagenham & Redbridge, in a playing career that has so far seen him make over 450 appearances and score 17 goals.
Played for both
Ryan Hanson came through the youth ranks at Hull City before being loaned out to Dover Athletic in November 2021 for the remainder of the 2020/21 season, a move that was made permanent for the 2021/22 campaign. The midfielder went on to make over 25 appearances before appearing on Gary Johnson’s radar and joining United upon Dover’s relegation in the summer of 2022. Hanson’s first season at Plainmoor saw him playing 30 games as either starter of from the bench, and scoring his only goal for the Club to date, that being the opening goal in a 2-1 win at Southend United in September 2022.
Previous encounter
Dover Athletic 1 – 3 Torquay United, Saturday 12th February 2022, National League
United were on a good run the last time we visited Crabble as their impressive form continued, when they came away from Dover with all three points.
A stunning strike from skipper Asa Hall once again saw his team make a perfect start, however that was cancelled out by Dover’s Jake Goodman before the break. The second half belonged to Torquay though, and after regaining the lead late on from Joe Lewis, a late strike from Stephen Duke-McKenna sealed their fifth away win of the campaign.