It's very hard to sell Ryman One football to local business people, admits Dover director

Although the Crabble outfit have sold 139 season tickets so far this summer, director Steve Williams admitted the club are finding it difficult to sell the club to sponsors.

The club finished in fifth place in the table last season but lost 3-2 at Tonbridge Angels in the play-off final in May – losing out on a place in the far more lucrative Ryman Premier League.

He told www.doverathletic.com: “Financially, we now know exactly where we are and have monthly management accounts.

“When we took over we really did not have a clue for many months because items kept coming out of the woodwork that we knew nothing about.

”It is harder now to get financial support from local business than it was 12 months ago. Personally I put this down to not getting promotion, it is very hard to sell Ryman One football to local business people.”

But Mr Williams was, however, pleased with the amount of support coming through the turnstiles.

He said:  “At the last count, we had sold 139 season tickets and a few "seven for the price of six" tickets.

“I think the sale of season tickets demonstrates the magnificent support we receive from our supporters and the increase on last season just shows how positive everyone is about the new season.

“Our core support is amazing when you consider the slide of the team over the last few years. Our supporters are very positive and everyone wants some success.”

Dover Athletic’s first pre-season friendly at Crabble is on Tuesday 18^th July when Nationwide Conference side Gravesend & Northfleet are the visitors.

Visit Dover Athletic’s website for commercial activities and news: www.doverathletic.com