WHEN WINTER COMES ...

SIMON’S GRAND MILESTONE

*BS*FANATICAL SUPPORTER Simon Harris will set an unbelievable milestone on Saturday, when he attends his 1000th CONSECUTIVE Dover Athletic match.*BF*

The club’s official photographer and Supporters Club stalwart hasn’t missed a game (in all competitions and friendlies) for *BS*16 and a half years!*BF*

To recognise this grand achievement, the Supporters Club will be making a presentation to Simon on the pitch before kick-off on Saturday afternoon.

The Supporters Club accolade is not only in recognition of his 1000 game feat but also his immense contribution to Dover Athletic and its supporters over the last two decades.

Those of you with good memories will know that his ‘unbeaten run’ started back in 1994, at the end of the club’s first ever season in the Conference.

From that season – watching club legends such as David Leworthy, Russell Milton and Jason Bartlett – to the present day, Simon has been at every single Dover Athletic fixture.

Take a moment to consider that. Over the past 17 seasons, not only was Simon present at all the games we remember or try to forget, he was also there for every one we had to miss or decided it was too far or inconvenient to get to.

Simon has gone out of his way, including interrupting a family holiday for a midweek home friendly, to witness every 0-0, all the (usually pointless) league cup ties and hundreds of trips to the back of beyond to support his beloved Dover Athletic.

Whether it was Banstead, Hemel Hempstead, Lymington & New Milton, Leyton or Folkestone, Simon has been to every obscure club you’ve heard of and plenty more that you haven’t.

*Lpic1*Quite a few supporters will have been to many of them, some will have even been to the majority, but there’s usually something that crops up to make even the die hard fanatics miss a game once in a while.

Holiday, work, illness, family commitments or too much sanity are the most typical excuses.

As supporters, many of us proclaim our loyalty and “Dover til I die” attitude, but few of us can back it up with the level of commitment, sacrifices and sheer statistics that Simon can, accumulated over the past 17 seasons.

Plus, it is not only at Dover Athletic fixtures where Simon shows his allegiance and support. He is also a regular at England internationals, flying a DAFC flag in football stadiums around the globe.

His ever-present attendance and leadership has not only been of service to the football club but also to the fans. From leading the former Supporters Trust to hosting the popular quiz nights, Simon has been a key player in keeping the Supporters Club at the heart of Whites’ fanbase.

Long may it continue, Simon, and here’s to another 1000!!!

*BS*SATURDAY 9 OCTOBER – FA CUP TIE & SIMON’S PRESENTATION*BF*
Dover Athletic vs Cambridge City – FA Cup 3rd qualifying round at 3.00pm
Don’t miss the Supporters Club presentation to Simon on the pitch before the match.