New Dover Athletic chairman Jim Parmenter answers fans’ questions that have been submitted to us through this official website.

IAN SMITH, Harrogate, Yorkshire: Thanks for saving the club. I think it would be a good idea to appoint one of Dover’s well known footballing sons as a life president of the club. I am referring to ex-FIFA referee David Elleray. I think to have such a high profile footballing personality involved would do wonders for the club’s PR and reputation in the footballing world.

I realise that David was not always the most popular of referees but I think he was always fair and has a great stature within the game – to be associated with DAFC would do the club a power of good.

JP: I think that is an excellent idea, however I’m not sure you can appoint someone just like that. We would need to contact Mr Elleray and invite him to take the post. I will put it to the board when we move to stage two and all the financial problems are sorted.

JASON SCOBLE, Capel-le-Ferne: Will we see the return of Chris Kinnear?

JP: Chris is Margate’s manager and has at least one year left on his contract. At the time of writing we have no plans to change our manager.

MICHAEL STAPLES: Although the club may not want to go down again, do you not think that it will be easier to put together a promotion challenge on a small budget from Division One? Dover fans are far more likely to come back and watch a winning team. Or will there be a budget that will realistically give us a chance of promotion to the Conference South should we stay up?

JP: It is our intention to do all we can to keep the club in this division, but we have to accept it is a huge task. If the worst happens and we are relegated, whatever is required to get us back up will be put in place.

Hopefully, supporters who have been so vocal and loyal so far will continue to play their very important part in our recovery.

We intend to run the club on sound fiscal grounds but that does not mean we don’t want success. The club’s current wage bill is at Conference levels so it demonstrates that it’s not just about how much money you spend on players; rather how wisely you spend it and how much spirit there is in team and the club.

Be sure, our aim is to get this club back where it belongs – at the top.

BARRY, KEN and Graham – plus DARREN PAINTER: How many men or businesses are in the consortium? Are we going to get to meet them at a meeting of some sort and secondly what will happen if we do the unthinkable and get relegated again this season? We, the faithful, just can’t see where the next win is coming from.

JP: The consortium consists of seven people plus myself. Some members prefer no publicity and not to be involved day to day. However, the others, including those joining me on the board, will be around the club and delighted to speak with you at any time. We have already attended meetings with the staff and the Trust. As far as relegation is concerned, I think I have answered that above.

GARETH THOMAS: Does the new board have a fixed timescale for a return (hopefully) to the Conference? Or is it just a case of seeing if it comes along again?

JP: As soon as possible.

NEIL (Tyrant): Will DAFC be sponsored by your company, El Gomez, in the future?

Do you have any timescale of trying to get us back into the higher rungs of non-league football, or do you have higher expectations than that?

Will the CVA still be paid off at the same rate as it is now, or will we be trying to pay off the CVA quicker, therefore being able to get in some better players and offering maybe slightly better wages?

JP: The club currently has a fantastic sponsorship deal with Hoverspeed and it would be inappropriate to discuss any potential future deals while a current sponsor is in place.

I’ve always believed that Dover has potential to support a Football League club.

The CVA will be paid off at least the same rate as before. Although there is little benefit in paying it off early, when we have dealt with all the other debt currently strangling the club, we’ll consider our options.

HARRY REID: Dover Athletic has got through these past three years due to the Trust and its members supporting the club financially. Do you see the Trust still having an active role with yourself and the consortium and visa versa and if so, in what way?

JP: We must not underestimate the role the Trust has played in getting the club this far and helping towards this rescue package. I consider it absolutely essential that they play a full, active and important part in the future running of the club.

I will meet with the Trust board, along with members of the consortium, to find a method for that to happen. I certainly believe John Farringdon has been an excellent representative up until now.

PAUL HYDE urges Dover fans to turn up at the Hoverspeed Stadium and make a racket for the entire 90 minutes in what is being billed as a cup final against Kingstonian.

Hydey, back in goal for the Whites at the age of, whisper it, 41, still has not given up on Dover staying up.

However, the veteran shot-stopper knows it will be an uphill task but believes that Jim Parmenter’s takeover of the club has given everyone – players, fans and officials – a lift.

And there is only one way Dover Athletic is heading under Jim’s regime – on the up.

He said: “Jim has taken control and is already working to stabilize the off-the-field financial problems. The club is in safe hands and, even if the unthinkable happens and we go down, we have a board of directors who will get Dover Athletic winning football matches again.

“I was here when we were battling at the top of the Conference with Kingstonian and now both of us are at the foot of the Ryman League Premier. They’ve had financial problems like ourselves and it’s a shame when you see two of the biggest clubs in the league at the bottom of the table.

“We have easily the best ground in the entire Ryman League and our fans are superb. That’s what I love most about this club. They can make a huge noise and get behind us. We need them more than ever on Saturday because it’s going to be a cup-final.

“Both Dover and Kingstonian go into the game knowing they MUST win to give themselves a glimmer of hope. A win has to be our only target and three points will give us confidence going into the next match. Then, just maybe, we can get some momentum going and if we win three or four on the bounce, it will put pressure on those teams above us.

“We look dead and buried at the moment but I’ve seen teams get out of even more serious situations than ours. Of course, it’s a long shot that we can stay up but I believe we can do it.

“Also, now Jim’s group is in charge, the club really can once again become one of the country’s top non-league teams. If we were to go down, next season the aim will be to win the championship like Wimbledon did – although it will be tough.

“But we could win the title, get back into this league and then really have a go at getting back into the Conference. And if we are to stay up, then we can push on a year earlier. I think the fans should turn up in large numbers on Saturday to welcome Jim back to the club and see us give it a real go against the Ks.”

New Whites chairman Parmenter has already said that he believes the club can start winning matches again, give fans something to cheer about and start climbing the leagues once again. But, first, there is a bit of bumpy ground we must negotiate.

And Hyde agrees and added: “It’s, without question, Dover Athletic’s lowest ebb. But that is behind us now. We could have gone out of business if it wasn’t for Jim Parmenter. He’s been in football for some years now. He was chairman at Margate and knows all about Dover Athletic, having been a director here before.

“Jim is an experienced football man and knows what he is doing. I think these are exciting times for Dover Athletic but the fans need to come to the games, really make a racket and show that we are STILL a Conference club – in terms of our set-up and fanbase.”

Hyde has no plans to retire yet and believes some of the saves he pulled off at Northwood on Saturday show he still is a good keeper.

Only the other week, Sky Sports screened classic FA Cup matches and one of them featured a certain Mr Hyde in goal for Wycombe against West Brom.

He said: “I made some good saves in that game on the tele but I also made some equally good saves on Saturday. The free-kick was hit well for their goal and you have to give their lad credit but apart from that I felt I did very well at keeping them out.

“A player’s place in a team should never been judged on age. Ability is the only thing that counts. If you’re good enough, you should be in the team. If I come out with a zimmer frame one day, that might be the time I’ll have to jack it in.

“Also, if a better keeper comes along, I’ll happily stand aside and let him take my place. I’d love to coach any talented young keeper too. But good English keepers seem to be a rare breed nowadays.”

New Dover Athletic chairman Jim Parmenter answers fans’ questions that have been submitted to us through this official website.

IAN SMITH, Harrogate, Yorkshire: Thanks for saving the club. I think it would be a good idea to appoint one of Dover’s well known footballing sons as a life president of the club. I am referring to ex-FIFA referee David Elleray. I think to have such a high profile footballing personality involved would do wonders for the club’s PR and reputation in the footballing world.

I realise that David was not always the most popular of referees but I think he was always fair and has a great stature within the game – to be associated with DAFC would do the club a power of good.

JP: I think that is an excellent idea, however I’m not sure you can appoint someone just like that. We would need to contact Mr Elleray and invite him to take the post. I will put it to the board when we move to stage two and all the financial problems are sorted.

JASON SCOBLE, Capel-le-Ferne: Will we see the return of Chris Kinnear?

JP: Chris is Margate’s manager and has at least one year left on his contract. At the time of writing we have no plans to change our manager.

MICHAEL STAPLES: Although the club may not want to go down again, do you not think that it will be easier to put together a promotion challenge on a small budget from Division One? Dover fans are far more likely to come back and watch a winning team. Or will there be a budget that will realistically give us a chance of promotion to the Conference South should we stay up?

JP: It is our intention to do all we can to keep the club in this division, but we have to accept it is a huge task. If the worst happens and we are relegated, whatever is required to get us back up will be put in place.

Hopefully, supporters who have been so vocal and loyal so far will continue to play their very important part in our recovery.

We intend to run the club on sound fiscal grounds but that does not mean we don’t want success. The club’s current wage bill is at Conference levels so it demonstrates that it’s not just about how much money you spend on players; rather how wisely you spend it and how much spirit there is in team and the club.

Be sure, our aim is to get this club back where it belongs – at the top.

BARRY, KEN and Graham – plus DARREN PAINTER: How many men or businesses are in the consortium? Are we going to get to meet them at a meeting of some sort and secondly what will happen if we do the unthinkable and get relegated again this season? We, the faithful, just can’t see where the next win is coming from.

JP: The consortium consists of seven people plus myself. Some members prefer no publicity and not to be involved day to day. However, the others, including those joining me on the board, will be around the club and delighted to speak with you at any time. We have already attended meetings with the staff and the Trust. As far as relegation is concerned, I think I have answered that above.

GARETH THOMAS: Does the new board have a fixed timescale for a return (hopefully) to the Conference? Or is it just a case of seeing if it comes along again?

JP: As soon as possible.

NEIL (Tyrant): Will DAFC be sponsored by your company, El Gomez, in the future?

Do you have any timescale of trying to get us back into the higher rungs of non-league football, or do you have higher expectations than that?

Will the CVA still be paid off at the same rate as it is now, or will we be trying to pay off the CVA quicker, therefore being able to get in some better players and offering maybe slightly better wages?

JP: The club currently has a fantastic sponsorship deal with Hoverspeed and it would be inappropriate to discuss any potential future deals while a current sponsor is in place.

I’ve always believed that Dover has potential to support a Football League club.

The CVA will be paid off at least the same rate as before. Although there is little benefit in paying it off early, when we have dealt with all the other debt currently strangling the club, we’ll consider our options.

HARRY REID: Dover Athletic has got through these past three years due to the Trust and its members supporting the club financially. Do you see the Trust still having an active role with yourself and the consortium and visa versa and if so, in what way?

JP: We must not underestimate the role the Trust has played in getting the club this far and helping towards this rescue package. I consider it absolutely essential that they play a full, active and important part in the future running of the club.

I will meet with the Trust board, along with members of the consortium, to find a method for that to happen. I certainly believe John Farringdon has been an excellent representative up until now.

PAUL HYDE urges Dover fans to turn up at the Hoverspeed Stadium and make a racket for the entire 90 minutes in what is being billed as a cup final against Kingstonian.

Hydey, back in goal for the Whites at the age of, whisper it, 41, still has not given up on Dover staying up.

However, the veteran shot-stopper knows it will be an uphill task but believes that Jim Parmenter’s takeover of the club has given everyone – players, fans and officials – a lift.

And there is only one way Dover Athletic is heading under Jim’s regime – on the up.

He said: “Jim has taken control and is already working to stabilize the off-the-field financial problems. The club is in safe hands and, even if the unthinkable happens and we go down, we have a board of directors who will get Dover Athletic winning football matches again.

“I was here when we were battling at the top of the Conference with Kingstonian and now both of us are at the foot of the Ryman League Premier. They’ve had financial problems like ourselves and it’s a shame when you see two of the biggest clubs in the league at the bottom of the table.

“We have easily the best ground in the entire Ryman League and our fans are superb. That’s what I love most about this club. They can make a huge noise and get behind us. We need them more than ever on Saturday because it’s going to be a cup-final.

“Both Dover and Kingstonian go into the game knowing they MUST win to give themselves a glimmer of hope. A win has to be our only target and three points will give us confidence going into the next match. Then, just maybe, we can get some momentum going and if we win three or four on the bounce, it will put pressure on those teams above us.

“We look dead and buried at the moment but I’ve seen teams get out of even more serious situations than ours. Of course, it’s a long shot that we can stay up but I believe we can do it.

“Also, now Jim’s group is in charge, the club really can once again become one of the country’s top non-league teams. If we were to go down, next season the aim will be to win the championship like Wimbledon did – although it will be tough.

“But we could win the title, get back into this league and then really have a go at getting back into the Conference. And if we are to stay up, then we can push on a year earlier. I think the fans should turn up in large numbers on Saturday to welcome Jim back to the club and see us give it a real go against the Ks.”

New Whites chairman Parmenter has already said that he believes the club can start winning matches again, give fans something to cheer about and start climbing the leagues once again. But, first, there is a bit of bumpy ground we must negotiate.

And Hyde agrees and added: “It’s, without question, Dover Athletic’s lowest ebb. But that is behind us now. We could have gone out of business if it wasn’t for Jim Parmenter. He’s been in football for some years now. He was chairman at Margate and knows all about Dover Athletic, having been a director here before.

“Jim is an experienced football man and knows what he is doing. I think these are exciting times for Dover Athletic but the fans need to come to the games, really make a racket and show that we are STILL a Conference club – in terms of our set-up and fanbase.”

Hyde has no plans to retire yet and believes some of the saves he pulled off at Northwood on Saturday show he still is a good keeper.

Only the other week, Sky Sports screened classic FA Cup matches and one of them featured a certain Mr Hyde in goal for Wycombe against West Brom.

He said: “I made some good saves in that game on the tele but I also made some equally good saves on Saturday. The free-kick was hit well for their goal and you have to give their lad credit but apart from that I felt I did very well at keeping them out.

“A player’s place in a team should never been judged on age. Ability is the only thing that counts. If you’re good enough, you should be in the team. If I come out with a zimmer frame one day, that might be the time I’ll have to jack it in.

“Also, if a better keeper comes along, I’ll happily stand aside and let him take my place. I’d love to coach any talented young keeper too. But good English keepers seem to be a rare breed nowadays.”

DOVER boss Steve Browne was unable to sign a striker ahead of tomorrow’s vital match at Northwood.

The Whites boss, short of options up front, has been working hard all week to snap up a prolific forward but to no avail.

He said: “I’ve been to games this week scouting strikers and spoke to Tony Boot at Dagenham. He didn’t fancy coming down to play for us and it’s proving difficult to get the right player down.

“Hopefully he’ll regret not coming to us. Players look at our league position and just don’t fancy walking into a relegation dogfight. But we need players who are up for it and I’m going to work hard to get the right man to the club.

“We want to sign two strikers really. I have been in touch with Bob Makin, chief executive at Stevenage, and they have told me Jo Flack and Jermaine Hunter are available. However, they are both needed by Stevenage tomorrow. They are still targets for me though .”

Browne has been told by Jim Parmenter that he is getting a chance to stay on as manager at the club. And the Dover boss is only too aware what could happen if he fails to keep Dover in the Ryman League Premier Division.

But he said: “It’s about results and talk from me is cheap. I’m fed up with talking and want to get this team winning. I feel like a weight has been taken off my shoulders since talking to Jim and now that the takeover of the club has been completed.

“These are now exciting times for Dover Athletic and it seems that the club is now in safe hands. That makes my job much easier and I want us all to pull in the right direction.

“We know that wins are the only way out now. I’d say we’ve got to get three or four straight wins together to give ourselves a chance of getting out of this hole. It can be done.

“But we have to do it – not talk about it.”

DOVER boss Steve Browne was unable to sign a striker ahead of tomorrow’s vital match at Northwood.

The Whites boss, short of options up front, has been working hard all week to snap up a prolific forward but to no avail.

He said: “I’ve been to games this week scouting strikers and spoke to Tony Boot at Dagenham. He didn’t fancy coming down to play for us and it’s proving difficult to get the right player down.

“Hopefully he’ll regret not coming to us. Players look at our league position and just don’t fancy walking into a relegation dogfight. But we need players who are up for it and I’m going to work hard to get the right man to the club.

“We want to sign two strikers really. I have been in touch with Bob Makin, chief executive at Stevenage, and they have told me Jo Flack and Jermaine Hunter are available. However, they are both needed by Stevenage tomorrow. They are still targets for me though .”

Browne has been told by Jim Parmenter that he is getting a chance to stay on as manager at the club. And the Dover boss is only too aware what could happen if he fails to keep Dover in the Ryman League Premier Division.

But he said: “It’s about results and talk from me is cheap. I’m fed up with talking and want to get this team winning. I feel like a weight has been taken off my shoulders since talking to Jim and now that the takeover of the club has been completed.

“These are now exciting times for Dover Athletic and it seems that the club is now in safe hands. That makes my job much easier and I want us all to pull in the right direction.

“We know that wins are the only way out now. I’d say we’ve got to get three or four straight wins together to give ourselves a chance of getting out of this hole. It can be done.

“But we have to do it – not talk about it.”

DOVER ATHLETIC are delighted to announce that agreement has been reached between Jim Parmenter and club major shareholders John and Alan Husk.

Jim, who is leading a consortium intent on rescuing the club from being wound up, confirmed today that his group have taken over.

He said:”I’ve now finally reached a satisfactory agreement with John and Alan over their shareholding. We now have to move quickly to satisfy the major creditors and stabilize the situation.

“The documents have bee signed and contracts have been exchanged. So we have now pressed the button and it’s all systems go. There is a lot of work to do on and off the pitch, but I’m grateful to have such able consortium members who are keen to assist.”

Jim’s consortium, which includes local businessman Roger Knight, still believe the club can avoid relegation – and boss Steve Browne is being allowed to sign a prolific striker before the Ryman League Premier Division match at Northwood on Saturday.

He said: “We saw a lot of encouraging signs during the game against AFC Wimbledon and are allowing Steve Browne to sign us a striker. But he is working under a budget and we are determined that the club has a squad of 17-odd players.

“Steve wants a squad of that size too. We believe it’s important to get a tight-knit squad, who all want to pull in the right direction and save the club from relegation. If we string a run of wins together, we can give ourselves a chance.”

Jim stresses that he is not a one-man band and that the club’s nosedive in recent seasons can only be reversed with the combined efforts of his consortium, the Supporters Trust and all the Dover Athletic fans.

He added: “It is vital that the supporters turn up at games in large numbers. I’d like to tell them that we are going to be working very hard to get this club heading back in the right direction. It can be done and will be done – if we all pull together.”

Supporters Trust chairman Simon Harris added: “This is excellent news. I am relieved that we now have a club going forward. With the continued support of the fans, we can progress and now we hope the improved performances on the pitch can be turned into victories.”

DOVER ATHLETIC are delighted to announce that agreement has been reached between Jim Parmenter and club major shareholders John and Alan Husk.

Jim, who is leading a consortium intent on rescuing the club from being wound up, confirmed today that his group have taken over.

He said:”I’ve now finally reached a satisfactory agreement with John and Alan over their shareholding. We now have to move quickly to satisfy the major creditors and stabilize the situation.

“The documents have bee signed and contracts have been exchanged. So we have now pressed the button and it’s all systems go. There is a lot of work to do on and off the pitch, but I’m grateful to have such able consortium members who are keen to assist.”

Jim’s consortium, which includes local businessman Roger Knight, still believe the club can avoid relegation – and boss Steve Browne is being allowed to sign a prolific striker before the Ryman League Premier Division match at Northwood on Saturday.

He said: “We saw a lot of encouraging signs during the game against AFC Wimbledon and are allowing Steve Browne to sign us a striker. But he is working under a budget and we are determined that the club has a squad of 17-odd players.

“Steve wants a squad of that size too. We believe it’s important to get a tight-knit squad, who all want to pull in the right direction and save the club from relegation. If we string a run of wins together, we can give ourselves a chance.”

Jim stresses that he is not a one-man band and that the club’s nosedive in recent seasons can only be reversed with the combined efforts of his consortium, the Supporters Trust and all the Dover Athletic fans.

He added: “It is vital that the supporters turn up at games in large numbers. I’d like to tell them that we are going to be working very hard to get this club heading back in the right direction. It can be done and will be done – if we all pull together.”

Supporters Trust chairman Simon Harris added: “This is excellent news. I am relieved that we now have a club going forward. With the continued support of the fans, we can progress and now we hope the improved performances on the pitch can be turned into victories.”

JIM PARMENTER has issued the following statement to keep fans up to speed with the latest developments.

It reads: “Following the verbal compromise agreement made yesterday with John and Alan Husk – the major shareholders at Dover Athletic Football Club – some complicated legal issues remain.

“These are relevant to conditions laid down by John and Alan which need to be met before they will agree to release their shares.

“I’m doing everything I can to facilitate these requirements, but it will be a requirement for lawyers to scrutinise the detail.

“Unfortunately most of the legal profession are on holiday this week so matters cannot be fully resolved until after the weekend.

“We are proceeding on the basis that these issues can be resolved and will have everything in place to mobilise once the shareholders have signed the agreements.

“In the meantime, I urge all supporters to come to the two games over the weekend and get behind the team.”

JIM PARMENTER has issued the following statement to keep fans up to speed with the latest developments.

It reads: “Following the verbal compromise agreement made yesterday with John and Alan Husk – the major shareholders at Dover Athletic Football Club – some complicated legal issues remain.

“These are relevant to conditions laid down by John and Alan which need to be met before they will agree to release their shares.

“I’m doing everything I can to facilitate these requirements, but it will be a requirement for lawyers to scrutinise the detail.

“Unfortunately most of the legal profession are on holiday this week so matters cannot be fully resolved until after the weekend.

“We are proceeding on the basis that these issues can be resolved and will have everything in place to mobilise once the shareholders have signed the agreements.

“In the meantime, I urge all supporters to come to the two games over the weekend and get behind the team.”