Parmenter asks fans: Help us get out of financial crisis

JIM PARMENTER has warned Dover fans that the financial situation at the club still needs working on, insisting: "We're not out of the woods yet.", writes Justin Allen.

The Dover Athletic chairman and his fellow board members, along with the Supporters Trust and Fighting Fund, invested more than £100,000 to save the club from folding last month.

But there still remains around £120,000 of debt that needs clearing before Dover Athletic have a clean slate and are able to invest on building a stronger side on the pitch.

Jim said: "We've stopped the slide but cannot make much progress until the old debt is wiped out. We're servicing the CVA and an old bank overdraft, which is draining most of our resources.

"What we need is another big push from the supporters and business community so we can pay off these debts and then use our resources to invest in the team. It's vital that fans get behind us in large numbers at home games and continue their superb fundraising efforts, which have saved the club in the past and can help it go forward in the future.

"All the match day sponsorship for this season has been sold. We just have a few match ball sponsorships left to sell and then we're sorted in that department until the summer."

Despite getting a crowd of more than 700 for the home league game against Windsor and Eton on Saturday, 130 supporters got into the ground on free passes - and the club are currently investigating this matter.

The Whites chairman said: "Some of those got into the ground because they were working for the club on the day or were members of the media. But, we'd like to appeal to those who are getting into games for nothing on match days and aren't working for the club, to make a contribution. We're not out of the woods financially yet and it would be a nice gesture if some of these people who get in free, contribute to Dover Athletic.

"The supporters have been brilliant. It was great to see 700 for the Windsor game. Now I urge them all to come back to the next home game, perhaps drag a friend along, and get the gate up higher.

"To get out of this situation will be a joint effort from the fans, business community and the board. It's important we all stick together."

The CVA still has £70,000 outstanding - to be re-paid at £3,000 a month - and the bank overdraft is in the region of £50,000.

www.doverathletic.com