New Dover defender Joe Tennent cannot wait to get started at Crabble - having never previously played at the ground!

Former VCD and Three Bridges player Tennent links up with Whites and manager Jake Leberl this summer from Whitehawk as he aims to help the club respond from 2023/24 National League South relegation.

Tennent, who will turn 26 next month, says he knows plenty about the club but revealed: “I’ve not played at Dover before.

“It’s just worked out that way. So, that will be a first for me, going down there on a match day.

“But I’m really looking forward to it because I’ve heard nothing but good things.”

The summer switch sees Tennent remain alongside goalkeeper Mitch Walker and fellow defender Luca Cocoracchio, who have also left Whitehawk for their new Isthmian Premier rivals.

The trio helped the Hawks finish 2023/24 with the joint-fourth best defensive record in the division on their way to ninth position.

Tennent admits he was sold on Whites by Walker, who's returning for a second Dover stint after a successful seven-year spell.

“I spoke to Mitch first and he mentioned Jake might be interested,” Tennent explained.

“They were looking for a centre-half or two to come in.

“He said they’re building a good, young, strong team to try and compete in the top part of the league.

“As soon as Mitch mentioned going there, I was pretty sold because I’ve got a lot of respect for him.

“Mitch wouldn’t go anywhere if it wasn’t right for him and right for people to come along with him.”

Having played together last term, Tennent doesn’t think it will take himself, Cocoracchio and Walker long to gel with the rest of Dover’s new-look backline.

He said: “Going in with Mitch and Luca, they’re people that I already have a good relationship with.

“In terms of that, it shouldn’t take us too long to settle in.

“I’m hoping we can pick up from where we left Whitehawk and, hopefully, pick up plenty of clean sheets.”

While Tennent faces a reasonable trek for home match days, training is much closer to home.

He noted: “I’m from Sidcup. I consider myself a Kent boy, so I already knew a lot about Dover already.

“For training, Maidstone isn’t far for me. I might meet some of the boys along the way but I should be able to get there in 20 or 30 minutes, which isn’t too bad.

"I’m looking forward to it.”

The upcoming campaign will see Whites play plenty of derbies, including against Dartford, Chatham and Folkestone.

“There’s quite a few local ones that I’m looking forward to and I’m sure the fans are, as well,” admitted Tennent.

“There’s a lot of Kent clubs in the league and clubs with big fanbases. I will relish that.

“We will certainly look forward to the games against Folkestone and other local sides. Hopefully, we can give the fans some enjoyable days out.”

Tennent is looking forward to working with Leberl.

“I had a good conversation with Jake,” he revealed.

“He spoke really well in terms of giving advice and how he can push me - and Luca - to the next level. I’m looking forward to working with Jake.”

Tennent will also get the chance to play alongside the cream of Whites’ young crop.

He said: “From what I’ve heard and seen, they have got a really young group that are high quality.

“Hopefully I can push them, they can push me, and we can push our careers on together.”

Forward Nick Dembele has departed Whites.

Dover’s new pizza and beer outlet has been named "Pizza the Action" by fans.