Dover, where I grew up, is one of those places that people often pass through on their way to somewhere else.
As they board the ferry to France their eyes usually wander up the White Cliffs and settle for a moment upon the Castle, a striking reminder of just how strategically important a place the town has been throughout British history.
Dover Athletic v Crystal Palace
FA Cup Third Round
Crabble Athletic Ground
1pm Sunday 4 January 2015
Live on BT Sport
When I was a child my grandmother would tell me that the area was known as ‘Hellfire Corner’ during the Second World War, due to the near-constant bombardment from German guns on the French coast.
Over 10,000 buildings in the area were damaged, yet Dover Castle survived the war virtually unscathed.
It seemed to have built, in my grandparents’ generation at least, an unshakeable belief in the town’s ability to defend itself from an onslaught.
Chris Kinnear will probably be hoping that his Dover Athletic side can channel this wartime spirit on Sunday as the home team appear in the FA Cup Third Round (live on BT Sport, kick off at 1pm) for only the second time in their history, and in probably their biggest match to date.
Dover will certainly be preparing for an onslaught; not only are they facing Premier League opposition, but one where a returning hero looks set to take charge for the first time.
There is something more than a little fateful about Alan Pardew’s first game in charge of Palace being an FA Cup tie when his greatest moment as a player came in his match-winning contribution to their 1990 Semi-Final.
Crystal Palace sit almost 90 places higher than Dover in England’s football pyramid. On paper it is an obvious mismatch, and Palace should win comfortably.
However, Luton Town gave all smaller sides hope in 2013 when they knocked out Norwich City and became the first non-league team to eliminate Premier League opposition.
In Kinnear Dover have a highly experienced manager who has already brought promotion to the Conference Premier in his second spell in charge of the Whites, and 2010’s history-making cup run has taught the club to be optimistic.
“Dover's fan base is loyal, vocal, and will be incredibly noisy on Sunday”
On the outskirts of Dover, cut into the surrounding hillside, the Crabble Athletic Ground can be a very difficult place for visiting teams.
The pitch has a noticeable slope to it that home fans get very accustomed to; I used to think that was what all football pitches looked like.
It has been Dover Athletic’s home since the club was formed in the early 1980s, and the fan base is loyal, vocal, and will be incredibly noisy on Sunday.
If Crystal Palace score early then the game will likely be a formality and the Premier League side’s quality will deservedly see them over the line, but if Dover can withstand a bombardment and perhaps unsettle their opponents quickly then who knows what FA Cup magic might be possible?
Whoever wins it will be a great day for the town; Dover will be packed, and on this occasion few will be passing through.
