10-02-2021, 17:01
Dover Athletic could stop playing matches unless the National League club receive fresh grant funding.
Owner Jim Parmenter says he is prepared to cease football operations until Covid-19 restrictions are eased in order to secure the future of the club.
Sides in the National League began playing in October thanks to government grants, but were told they would have to borrow further money from January.
"Small clubs like Dover just can't afford to take large loans," he said.
"We're talking several hundred thousand pounds to get through the season and that just isn't possible for us and it's been going on now since January with still no money forthcoming.
"I've financed the club for six weeks personally and that's got to stop and, in a nutshell, we've run out of money," Parmenter told BBC Radio Kent.
Dover have applied to Sport England for a grant, but are unsure if or when the money might be made available.
The club are currently second-from-bottom of the National League, but have played up to seven fewer games than some of their rivals after a series of postponements.
National League clubs have been voting on whether to carry on the season in the wake of the decision to replace grant funding with loans.
It is thought a majority want to continue, but the position is less certain in the North and South Divisions. However, it has become apparent that even if the National League keeps going, a substantial minority feel they lack the financial resource to play matches behind closed doors.
"The most important thing for me after 15 years keeping the club out of debt and running is for it to survive for the future," Parmenter added.
"Therefore if i furlough all the staff and cut down all the costs and I just put it under a blanket for a few months until hopefully we get back to normal, then the club will survive to play football, but that's the only option I've got really."
Taken from the BBC website
Owner Jim Parmenter says he is prepared to cease football operations until Covid-19 restrictions are eased in order to secure the future of the club.
Sides in the National League began playing in October thanks to government grants, but were told they would have to borrow further money from January.
"Small clubs like Dover just can't afford to take large loans," he said.
"We're talking several hundred thousand pounds to get through the season and that just isn't possible for us and it's been going on now since January with still no money forthcoming.
"I've financed the club for six weeks personally and that's got to stop and, in a nutshell, we've run out of money," Parmenter told BBC Radio Kent.
Dover have applied to Sport England for a grant, but are unsure if or when the money might be made available.
The club are currently second-from-bottom of the National League, but have played up to seven fewer games than some of their rivals after a series of postponements.
National League clubs have been voting on whether to carry on the season in the wake of the decision to replace grant funding with loans.
It is thought a majority want to continue, but the position is less certain in the North and South Divisions. However, it has become apparent that even if the National League keeps going, a substantial minority feel they lack the financial resource to play matches behind closed doors.
"The most important thing for me after 15 years keeping the club out of debt and running is for it to survive for the future," Parmenter added.
"Therefore if i furlough all the staff and cut down all the costs and I just put it under a blanket for a few months until hopefully we get back to normal, then the club will survive to play football, but that's the only option I've got really."
Taken from the BBC website