Chairman Jim Parmenter has released the following statement.

I write this statement in troubling and worrying times for everyone, not only in the UK, but throughout the whole world.

I sincerely hope that you and your loved ones are safe and well.

I ask everyone please to follow the government instructions and guidelines, if all of us do this together this crisis will be over all the sooner.

At the same time, we must all recognise the fantastic work being done by all of those called upon to put themselves on the front-line, all of the tremendous NHS staff and volunteers in particular.

But also everyone we rely on to keep us with, operational utilities, our rubbish cleared, law enforcement, those like myself involved daily in the supply of food to our nation and all of the unsung people who go quietly about their work for the benefit of all of us.

It is at times like this we must put “self” at the end of the queue and think of others, something which has not always been the way in modern society. I think we can all learn valuable lessons about society and the way we conduct our lives as a result of this crisis.

Obviously football becomes almost irrelevant at times like this, but like all other enterprises many people find their livelihoods from the game and will need to try and do so when things return to normal.

Many of you will know I am involved in the governance of the National League so my thoughts on how League matters should be brought to conclusion must remain my own for the time being, but I do intend to speak out when the time is right.

All I can say is that I find the staggering self interest being displayed by those who can afford to continue to pursue gain from the season by threatening legal action if they don’t get their own way against good people trying to do their best in unprecedented circumstances disgusting beyond further words.

Some have said the Football Association have failed to show true leadership and gone scuttling behind their antiquated rule books to hide from reality, but I couldn’t possibly comment on that.

I have been asked to clarify Dover Athletic’s position by those concerned about the future of the Club.

Put simply the Club has run out of money, with no income at all and none likely for the foreseeable future.

I know some funding is being gathered by some of our loyal supporters (gofundme) for which we are extremely thankful and this will become very important in the months to come.

My task is to try and navigate us through this difficult time and ensure a footballing future for the Town’s Club, this will require the cooperation and support of all of our employees footballing and non footballing, as well as much help from the Town and community.

To this end our non football staff have agreed to be redeployed in the vital task of food distribution and will be able to return when the crisis is over.

With no funding being offered from the world of football we will need to take advantage of all the fantastic help being offered by the Government and by doing this coupled with some financial support from myself and Sally I believe we can get through this to play football again.

I yesterday met by video conference with our football management and player representatives to explain the situation to them.

I have offered all footballing staff participation in the Governments “furlough” scheme, the details of this are not complete, but I have been informed that it will be applicable in our case.

I have not yet received agreement from the staff, but I very much hope I will do so early next week, because I can see no alternative.

We face the same uncertain future as most businesses in the world and this Government assistance is unprecedented and should be roundly applauded.

Please keep yourself and others safe.

All my best wishes.

Jim​

Chairman Jim Parmenter has released the following statement.

Following the suspension of the National League and corresponding advice from the FA and the government, I have today instructed that all footballing and social activity within the Club will be suspended until further notice.

Crabble is ‘locked down’ and will not be open for visitors unless it is a vital matter and a prior appointment is made.

I have already made it public that I am very concerned about the dire financial position this places our Club and football at our level in.  We are already seeing the effect this is having on employment within the industry.

It is clear there will be some difficult conversations to be had in the next couple of weeks and nobody should be in any doubt of the hardship this will bring to many people.

I am in constant contact with the League and I am hopeful, although not confident, that financial support may be forthcoming from the Authorities or the Government.

My focus must be to somehow try to ensure that the club emerges from this able to play football in the future.

All National League matches have now been suspended until Friday 3rd April due to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) reaching global pandemic levels.

The decision was made during a National League board meeting on Monday.

It means our matches away at Eastleigh and Dagenham & Redbridge together with the visit of Barnet to Crabble all postponed.

You can read the National League’s statement HERE