- Wheeler (8')
- Meekums (83')
This will be the third time Rebels fans have made the 224-mile round trip to Dover over the past year, with the most recent being the rearranged clash in January. The original fixture had been postponed the previous month, when fans and players were greeted with an ‘unexpected’ frozen pitch during the height of winter. The extra journey didn’t affect the reds, running out 3-0 winners on a Tuesday night thanks to goals from Kane Wills, Ollie Pearce and Callum Kealy.
The Crabble is one of the more unique grounds in our league, being based on the side of a scenic hillside. From the entrance you’ll find a recently built all-seated stand that runs half the length of the pitch and an open space featuring the clubhouse to the right. On the opposite side is a 1950s grandstand, running the entire length of the pitch it features the press box in the middle and a corporate/director area in a small upper tier. Two near-identical roofed terraces are behind each of the goals and there’s a scoreboard on both. The capacity is 5,745 people.
There will be no segregation for this fixture.
Tickets
Admission for this fixture is turnstile only. Cash and card payment is accepted on the gate. Prices are as follows:
Adults – £17.00
Over 65 – £15.00
Under 18 – £9.00
Under 11s – £0.00 (When accompanied by an adult)
Travel
By Coach: Away match travel has sold out. If booked, please note the coach will leave Woodside Road at 10:15am prompt, so please arrive in plenty of time.
By Road: Follow A27 to A23 and then M23. Join 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. 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 to take the M20/A20 leave the A20 in Folkestone (the exit immediately after the tunnel through the hill) and travel through the Alkham Valley (turn left at the roundabout at the end of the slip-road and then left again, following the signs for Alkham) which will eventually take you near Kearsney train station (turn right into Lower Road just before the railway bridge, before you get to the station).
By Rail: Rail travel is extremely restricted due to industrial action from the RMT Union. The line containing Kearnsey and Dover Priory railway stations has no services running on Saturday, making rail travel alone impossible. However, a mixture of bus and rail travel can get you to the Crabble Stadium. Whilst this is possible, we strongly recommend planning ahead or seeking alternate travel arrangements for your return journey, as rail services from London to Worthing cease at around 5pm.
Taking a Southern service from Worthing to Brighton, you can get to London Bridge directly using a Thameslink service. From here head to the underground, taking the Northern line to Kings Cross St Pancreas. Walk up to the regular rail services at St Pancreas and use the Southwestern service to reach Canterbury West. From here is a 17-minute walk to Canterbury bus station where you can catch the number 15 service to Dover. Jump off at the Carlsden Close stop for a 6-minute walk to the ground.
If returning to Worthing after the game, the entire journey would be a network of bus services, including National Express and local bus routes. Check before to ensure this is a trip you’d like to commit to as the return time is late and the flexible nature of bus timetables may leave you at risk. If you’re staying the night in Kent you will be able to find your way back via the train, as usual service returns from both Dover Priory and Kearnsey on the 27th of August.
Ground Facilities and Away Pubs
A clubhouse hosts home and away fans within the ground, alcoholic drinks cannot be taken out of the bar to on matchdays. The nearest pub to the ground is the Cricketers on Crabble Avenue, just across the road from the lower rugby pitch, also nearby is the Royal Oak pub that has real ale, food and BT Sports. If you are spending a bit of time in Dover town centre, there are several pubs and restaurants near the railway station. This includes The Eight Bells on Cannon Street, a Wetherspoons pub that is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
