Dover Athletic may get a special award to mark the club’s promotion to the top tier of non-league football.

On Saturday the club returned to the Skrill Conference Premier Division – after an absence of 12 years – with a dramatic 1-0 win at Kent rivals Ebbsfleet United in the Skrill south play-off final.

Cllr Ronnie Philpott, who hands over as town mayor to Cllr Pam Brivio today, said it was hoped the club can get an award to recognise its role as ambassador for Dover, as has happened with the P&O Ferries Choir, which won BBC’s The Choir: Sing While You Work series.

Cllr Philpott said: “I am delighted about the success. The club are very good ambassadors for the town, and I congratulate them on their achievement of getting into the premier division of the football conference.

“I am going to send Dover Athletic a formal letter of congratulations, and I will liaise with Pam to see exactly how the town council can honour the club.”

Cllr Philpott said it might also be possible to present the club with a special plaque at the start of the next football season.

Cllr Brivio said she would be happy to look into ways of honouring the club.

She said: “It’s great news and I am very pleased.”

More praise has come from Dover MP Charlie Elphicke.

He said: “It was fantastic to see Dover Athletic promoted to the Conference Premier, and I have sent a message of congratulations to the club. It gives the whole town such a boost.”

For match report, pictures and post-match comments and analysis, see this week's Mercury.