The following information is provided for fans who are making the trip to Dover on Saturday…
Dover Athletic Football Club
Crabble Athletic Ground
Lewisham Road, River, Dover
Kent CT17 0JB
01304 822373
01304 821383
[email protected]
Directions
From outside of Kent, find your way to the M25, then take the M2/A2 (following the signs to Canterbury, then from Canterbury follow signs to Dover) as far as the Whitfield roundabout (there is a McDonald’s Drive-Thru on the left).Take the fourth exit at this roundabout, down Whitfield Hill. At the bottom of the hill turn left at the roundabout and follow this road until the first set of traffic lights. At the lights turn right (180 degrees down the hill) and follow the road under the railway bridge, the ground is a little further up the road on the left. POSTCODE FOR SAT NAV CT17 OJD
By Rail
The main railway station in Dover is Dover Priory which is approximately two miles from Crabble. The closest station to Crabble is Kearsney which is about a 10-15 minute walk from the ground.
Kearsney is the last stop before Dover Priory on the line from London Victoria (via Canterbury). Some trains on this line do not stop between Canterbury East and Dover Priory so if you are planning on getting off at Kearsney make sure that the train you are travelling on is a stopping service.
If you are travelling on the line from London Charring Cross (via Ashford) the train will not pass through Kearsney so you will have to stop at Dover Priory, near the town centre.
If you get off at Kearsney, turn right as you leave the station, go under the railway bridge and then take the first road on the left (Lower Road). Follow Lower Road all the way along, past a pond on your right and Crabble Corn Mill on your left. At the end you will see the Cricketers pub on the other side of the road. Turn right and you should see the entrance to the ground. If you get off at Dover Priory it is probably best to get a bus or taxi to the ground as it is a long walk
Car Parking
There is no parking for supporters within the ground, although parking is available in the rugby ground, which is just inside the main entrance – stewards will direct you. If you have not been to Dover before beware that the walk from the road to the ground is a reasonable climb.
Coach Parking
Away coaches to drop off on Crabble Avenue near to the Cricketers. Stewards will then direct you further up for parking during the game.
POSTCODE FOR SAT NAV CT17 OJD
Traffic Commissioners guidelines
The Traffic Commissioners’ Guidelines, together with the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol) Act 1985, as amended by the Public Order Act 1986, prohibits alcohol on a vehicle which :-
is either a public service vehicle or a vehicle adapted to carry more than 8 passengers (i.e., mini – bus) and ;
is being used for the principal purpose of carrying passengers for the whole or part of a journey to or from a designated sporting event.
Coach Operators are reminded to keep to the following new guidelines when carrying supporters to and from football matches :-
1. Coaches are not to stop within ten miles of the venue either on route to or from the event unless prior agreement is obtained from the local Police Liaison Officer.
2. Unless directed otherwise by a Police Officer, coaches may not stop at premises where intoxicating liquor is sold unless it is sold as ancillary to a substantial meal.
3. Coaches are to arrive at the venue no earlier than two hours before and not later than one hour before kick-off.
4. Coaches are not to set down or uplift passengers at any unauthorised locations without prior permission of the police.
5. Coaches must leave the venue within one hour of the finish of the event.
The Commissioner has powers to attach conditions to Operators’ Licences in relation to journeys to and from football matches, but prefers to rely on co-operation between Operators and Police.
The Police have been asked to notify the Commissioner of any incidents where the guidelines have not been followed so that he may consider whether any conditions should be imposed.
Away fan info
The Dover End Terrace is given over to visiting supporters. This stand can accommodate 2,000 fans. From here you can enjoy some great views over the valley beyond. However, this comes at a price, as it is quite a hike up to the stadium (cars and coaches are parked down on the lower level), although the Club does sometimes have a golf buggy available to transport the less mobile up the hill. The ground is also quite exposed so especially in winter wrap up well as it can be quite a cold and biting wind that comes off the English Channel.
Where to Drink
The nearest pub to the ground is the Cricketers (Opens at 12) on Crabble Avenue, just across the road from the lower rugby pitch.
If you arrive at Kearnsey Railway Station, then on the walking route to the ground below, you will also pass the Royal Oak pub that has real ale, offers food and has BT Sports.
Otherwise, if you are spending a bit of time in Dover town centre beforehand, there near to the railway station on Cannon Street, is a Wetherspoons pub called the Eight Bells.