 At the start of the 2004–05 season, Stirling signed for Dover Athletic, who at the time had suffered three straight relegations from the Conference National and were now plying their trade in the Southern Football League regional divisions.He was taken on trial by Russell Slade at Grimsby Town during his time at Dover but was not offered a contract.Following a trial with Conference National side Tamworth, Stirling signed for the club in March 2005.