He has warned that Chapman will only be allowed to sign if boss Clive Walker offloads a player or a sponsor steps in to cover the tough-tackling midfielder's wages.

Mr Parmenter said: "Clive has spent his budget on new players and we're determined not to go down the old path of previous regimes of busting that.

"Danny wants to play for Dover. I've spoken to him and know that he'd love to be with us this season. But, at this moment in time, we have no money to bring him in.

"However, Clive may have a few things up his sleeve. I've got to speak with him this week. He is back from the States this weekend and I'm sure we'll sit down to discuss it.

"Perhaps there is a player in the squad who doesn't fancy it with us this season and wants to move on - or maybe there's a sponsor out there who would like to step forward and cover Danny's wages."

The former Whites ace (left) told MatchdayLive reporter Tom Crawley after coming on as a sub during the 2-1 win against Colchester on Thursday: "I want to play for Dover. I want to play for Clive Walker. I never wanted to leave the club in the first place. This is a good little club, which should be at least in Conference South. If I join, my aim will be to help get them back to that level.

"Assistant-boss Steve Nolan has told me that Clive will want to speak with me this week. Margate have offered me a deal but I want to give Clive the chance to speak to me first. I might not get a contract at Dover but that's not a problem."

Article and photograph:
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