Dover pirates have now been running since 1975. Many players have come and gone in what is around 800 games!!
This page is dedicated to pirates of old and new.
Coach : John Holbourne
John Joined the pirates in the pre season 05/06. Dover had just finished 5th in the league and were an huge 9 points of the Champions. for the following 2 season John took the Pirates to the final of the EKBL cup twice and the finished runners up in the league in 05 (loosing on points diffenernce only) and third. to date these are the highest Dover have ever finished in the EKBL.
Bruno Jackson
Position: Forward/Centre
Height: 6ft4
Shirt No: 10
Bruno played for the Pirates from 1980 to 1994. Standing over 6ft2 and playing inside Bruno used his agressive style to make up for athletic ability. This sometimes crazy display of courage enabled him to play well into his twilight years. Anyone who has ever played with him would wait for the famous fireworks to ignite. Bruno was part of the 3rd Division and 2nd Division title winning sides, along with the team that finished 3rd in the 1stDivision.
Thomas Orht
Position: Centre
Height: 6ft6
Shirt No: 14
Thomas arrived in England from Germany in late 2004. The former Bundasliga division 2 player immediatly took the pirates by storm hitting 16 3's from 17 in a training session, all this from a player who had not touched a ball in 18 months. Up until the 05/06 season the Pirates had stuggled to break the hold of the top four clubs in Divison 1. The German who even at the age of 37 had the hand and foot speed of a guard. His ability to Communicate with other players off and on the ball gave his team members freedom to use the space he would create by attracting 2 or 3 players. Thomas was the MVP & Defensive player in his first season, leading the club to 2 sucsessive 2nd spot finishes in the league and 2 runner up spots in the East Kent cup. Unfortunatly he returned to Germany at the end of the following season leaving a great whole behind him with every player believing if he had stayed a first title would have come the clubs way.
Mike Corbo
Position: Guard
Height: 5ft8
Shirt No: 4
Mike was part of the Orginal Pirates. He was been with the pirates every step of the way. As a player his small and slight frame did not hold him back from causing havoc in the oppositions defence. Mike later took control of running the club at a time when basketball was in its infant stages in the uk. Still a solid member of the squad mike brought many new faces to side. He was a solid foundation to the clubs reformation in 2000 assisting in the funding and organisation. He was even still able to show the now very young guns (to him) how its done. Mike left the pirates in 2004 but many of his methods still remain.
Chris Burnside
Position: Guard/ Forward.
Height: 6ft
Shirt No: 6
Chris was Behind the formation of the Pirates back in 1975. He was the first person to connect the words Dover and Pirates Together. He was even behind the Famous red Sweat shirts, a colour the team still use today. Chris brought a sense of orgaisation, dedication and focus to a team that was made up of work colleagues and that was only really playing for a laugh. His style of play made the club take the next step enabling them to climb out of the 3rd and 2nd Divisions. His legacy and the red sweat shirt story is still passed on to the youth players and even though its a giggle, its our history!
Richard Simmons
Position: Guard/Forward/Centre
Height: 6ft2
Shirt No: 16
Richard -Nicknamed Sumo was given this name due to his round plump shape! Sumo had the tremendous ability to rally his team mates even in our darkest hour! His sense of humour and obvious presence would mean he was a natural leader on and off the court using his ability to play in every position to support his team and wind up his oponents. If there was a prank to play he was behind it. Sumo left the pirates in 2006 and was best known for his reverse dunk!
Manu Bianchi
Postion: Guard
Height: 6ft1
Shirt No: 6
Manu came to the Pirates just at the right time, after the loss of Orht in came the big baggy shorts and even bigger smile! Hidden beneath this was a player! Manu came from Switzerland from the same club as players who went onto play National League. Indeed so could he have, but he enjoyed playing with Dover so much he wanted to stay. He often drove his team mates mad with is constant clowning around but this was alwyas forgiven because this guy could win a game single handed. he only stayed one (06/07) season but made a huge impact on the club forging the unique bond between players and therefore with the club. He will always be welcome back.