Dover Athletic have opened a new family stand, funded by the Premier League, that will give them the chance to move up the leagues.
The Whites, currently sixth place in the National League - level five of the English football pyramid, now have a ground that meets the required FA National Ground Grading Criteria with the help of a £402,000 grant from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund.
The investment has enabled Dover to build a new 500-seat stand, which has 136 more seats than the old one, alongside a new changing room pavilion and spectator toilets.
"We are extremely proud of this new facility which will greatly enhance our supporters' matchday experience, as well as providing English Football League standard facilities for players and officials," Dover Athletic chairman Jim Parmenter said.
@CharlieElphicke opens @DoverAthletic new stand today. A true honour to photograph it for @doverexpress pic.twitter.com/K7Tf29LAda
— Ian Scammell (@EastKentIan) November 19, 2016
"It could not have been achieved without the fantastic support from the Premier League, through the FSIF."
The stand was officially opened by Dover MP Charlie Elphicke, with the celebrations forming the backdrop to their league match with Guiseley.
"Dover Athletic FC represents an important part of the local community and I'm delighted to see fans rewarded with this fantastic new facility," he said. "It is very much onwards and upwards for all those involved at the club - fans, players and staff included."
The Football Stadia Improvement Fund is funded by the Premier League, delivered by the Football Foundation, and is the country's largest provider of grants towards projects that help improve the comfort and safety of lower league football grounds.
