Dover reveal manager for next season with statement over the club’s future

Dover Athletic chairman Jim Parmenter has decided to reveal their manager for next season with a statement over the club’s future.

Fans were concerned with how they would end up having recently been handed a £40,000 fine, given a significant points deduction and saw their 2020/21 results expunged.

An Independent Panel ruled that the National League outfit are deemed guilty of four breaches of Rule 8.39 for failing to meet fixture obligations between February 16th and February 27th.

The club play no further part in the current campaign along with their record expunged. A 12-point deduction for the 2021/22 playing season and fine of £40,000 have additionally been issued.

The Panel had regard to financial information provided by Dover Athletic and fully respected the responsibility of the Club’s Directors under Company Law.

However, the Panel also had to consider the integrity of the Competition and the actions of Dover Athletic in relation to the other 22 Clubs that continue to incur much costs as they fulfill their fixtures.

The Whites had avoided costs by not completing their season alongside the other 22 Clubs. In addition, The National League basic award meant they were significantly benefiting from not completing the season compared to the 22 Clubs that continued.

The Panel concluded that three points per breach should be deducted from the Club’s record in Playing Season 2021/22. In view of the current financial situation and in order to reflect the approach taken in other cases of breaches of Rule 8.39, the Independent Panel reduced the initial fine by 20% to £40,000.

Fast forward to April the 23rd and a statement has since been issued by Dover, with Jim Parmenter winning a lot of praise for how he has dealt with the situation…

He said: “I would like to provide supporters and the many well-wishers who have contacted the club, with an update regarding our appeal against sanctions imposed by the National league and preparations for next season.

“For obvious reasons, I am unable to provide any detail around the substance of our appeal, which now looks unlikely to take place before mid-June but suffice to say we have appointed Queens Council to represent us at the hearing.

“I must pay tribute to and thank both Sean Gorman and Simon Tovey of the Outset Group Maidstone for their legal and practical advice, which quite frankly has been superb.

“It has been freely given, extremely thorough and without them, we could not have come this far and all our supporters should be extremely appreciative of what they have done for our club and we are as confident as we can be that we have a just and indisputable case.

“Our local MP Natalie Elphick is also on the case and I understand representations will be made at the Ministerial level as well as with Tracy Crouch’s inquiry into football governance.

“I am extremely heartened by all the messages of support from all over the country as well as the football media’s vocal support.

“I would also like to thank from the bottom of my heart all those people from far and wide who have contributed to the JustGiving page that has been set up by one of our fans.

“With regard to next season, Hess (Andy Hessenthaler) will continue as Manager and obviously, we will be starting in a compromised position (regardless of the appeal outcome.

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“We will not be able to compete financially with the big rich clubs in the league, but we are planning an ‘alternative approach’ because the financial madness which is prevalent in our league currently is not sustainable and is destroying the game aided and abetted by the hopeless administrative structure at our level.

“What we will need as a club is for the whole town and district to come together to help us regroup and show the establishment that we will not be bullied.

“We stand united for what is right and just and we will not be cowed.

“So, please, recruit a friend, make a purchase from the shop, buy a season ticket when the time comes, sponsor us in some way, but most of all please come to the games and cheer the team on.

“Let us show the world of football that the people of Dover really do care about their club.

“Let us show football there is a better way!

“In the meantime, please keep safe and get your jab when the time comes.”

Fans reacted after seeing Dover reveal their manager for next season with a statement over the club’s future …

Hopefully attendances jump up next season and in the future, need it more than ever ⚫⚪ https://t.co/J9jGXrGvJc

— Jamie (@JAMIEISHERE5) April 23, 2021

@JamesNesbitt92: Can’t wait to get my season ticket when they’re out. Come on you Whites

@PunkDavy: The town had a chance to support the club countless times when we where top of the national league they still chose not too. £18 a ticket is to much for so many families for the level of football we are at the league needs to realise that.

Kevin Friend: Just be great to see and attend a live game again from start of next season…..doesn’t really matter if on minus 12 etc coyw

Nico Esson: Thanks for the update. So pleased to hear there will be football at Crabble next season and well done for making a stand. It is great that Dover have a chairman who engages with the fan base unlike AFC where I have had a season ticket for many years. I will be watching my football at DAFC from now on and looking forward to the pre match lunch packages 🙂

Nigel R Moseling: What a fantastic response following the stupidity that has gone before regarding DAFC and the National League recently. I sincerely hope that common sense and fairness prevails, but whatever happens, I’ll support DAFC as much as I possibly can from afar.

Michael Jenkins: Onwards and Upwards, we have a club and a Chairman who has stood up and said “enough is enough” a round of applause to Jim…

Jamie Parsons: 👏👏👏 Nice to have an update, great work everyone

Terry Hooper: All the best for future from a Newport County fan went to your ground once few years back

Mark Smith: Such a shame Dover at one stage were so close going up then this happened 😢

Jamie Stimpson: Football is with you ❤️⚽️

Peter Robinson: At least we still have a football club , tough season next year but we’ve been there before and come back stronger