New Dover Athletic defender Joe Tennent discusses playing at Crabble for the first time and his relationship with team-mates Mitch Walker and Luca Cocoracchio

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 bounce back 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