Dover Athletic manager Jake Leberl confident the club’s community day will be a success as Isthmian Premier rivals Hashtag United visit Crabble this weekend

Jake Leberl is optimistic Dover’s latest community day will be a success on Saturday.

The promotion-chasing Isthmian Premier Whites will mark the occasion when they host Hashtag United.

Dover’s community, engagement and inclusion officer Vikki Pawley has offered 1,000 free tickets to the game, initially to schools in the area, before potentially also handing them to other local groups.

The children who do attend will be offered goody bags while face-painting will also be available at Crabble as Whites aim to inspire the next generation.

“It’s massive,” said manager Leberl. “I majorly believe in it.

“The frustration is - for the next home fixture [after the community day] - it doesn’t always make a major difference. That’s maybe why the chairman [Jim Parmenter] is a little bit hesitant.

“But we have got Vikki working full-time in the community. Other clubs in the area have had success with this sort of thing and we’re a little bit behind.

“We need to give young fans the chance to fall in love with the club, like we did when we were that sort of age.”

Helping establish a bond between the first-team squad and the fans are several home-grown players, including fit-again teenager Henry Young.

He could help fill a void in midfield, with recently-signed Kieran Monlouis deciding to step away from the game after being dealt a setback on his recovery from a long-term injury.

Leberl noted: “Henry’s been training very hard.

“The Academy boys have been absolutely amazing. Their work-rates and attitudes have been brilliant. Henry fits into that category.

“If and when he’s needed, hopefully, he can take his chance. But we have Luke Baptiste who can play in centre midfield and out wide, as well.”

Goals from striker George Nikaj - his