Dover’s young guns have earned another tournament triumph.

After claiming the National League Alliance South title last season, their youngsters were victorious at last week’s under-18 to under-21 Professional Game Match Officials VAR tournament, held at St George’s Park, the headquarters for England’s teams.

First-team players George Wilkinson, Luke Baptiste and George Nikaj were also involved, Nikaj getting the Golden Boot, as Mike Sandmann’s troops won it for the fourth time.

The competition was used as a training aid for Premier League referees, as they continue with the development of the VAR system.

Academy boss Sandmann said: “It’s always good to get invited to these types of things. They’re quite exclusive events.

“The referees are preparing for their seasons with VAR.

“There was a break due to Covid but I think it’s the fourth time we have won it, which is pleasing.”

Overall, the young Whites won six, drew one and lost two of their matches on their way to the Final, where they nicked the only goal in a 1-0 win through Tim Marapara.

Sandmann said: “We travelled up on Wednesday night. The tournament was Thursday and Friday.

“Because we got to the Final, we didn’t leave until around 7.30pm and got back at around 11.30pm. It’s a lot of football.

“Because it’s an under-18 to under-21 tournament, we got to bring back some of the lads from the first-team. We got lads from America and Nikaj, Wilko and Baptiste involved.

“It’s good for those lads to be around again. It was a good experience all-round.”

Premier League new boys Luton and Peterborough have also been using facilities for their pre-season preparations while Benfica had taken on Southampton in a friendly the night before the tournament took place.

“It’s a great experience for the young boys,” noted Sandmann.

“With the facilities up there, Luton and Peterborough were playing behind-closed-doors games and Benfica were there the day before.

“Just to be around that environment is great for them.

“It’s interesting to see the decisions made around VAR, as well, which is a great education.”

Henry Young was among the more recent Academy graduates not involved at the tournament.

Alongside Matty Holness and Archie Hatcher, who have also been promoted to Dover’s first-team squad, the former scored in their friendly 2-1 win over neighbours Folkestone on Saturday.

Sandmann enthused: “I’m really pleased for Youngy.

“He has done fantastically well. At the back-end of last year, he really started to kick on and he started to come out as a character.

“He’s been involved in pre-season all the way through, as has Hatcher.

“The manager [Mitch Brundle] has been pleased with him. He said he would give him the opportunity to start - and I’m pleased he got his goal.

“I think they can see they will get their opportunity as young players.

“There’s a bit of noise around the football club but these young lads are getting their opportunity. People will have their opinions about the circumstances around that.

“But the young players are getting the opportunity and they’re certainly taking it.”

The senior squad are at Southern Counties East Premier Division Deal next Tuesday after losing 2-1 at home to League 2 Crawley this midweek.

They announced the addition of ex-Maidstone and Ebbsfleet winger Iffy Allen after the Folkestone friendly.

Whites, who have since brought in ex-Exeter midfielder James Dunne, striker Nick Dembele and former Sheffield Wednesday youngster Fuad Sesay, saw Nikaj involved in an own goal against Crawley.

Dover’s youngsters were involved at the Copa Catalunya competition in Spain last month, but lost 2-1 to eventual winners Combinados de Bizkaia.