Dover players put on transfer list as club warn of insolvency

Dover Athletic have made their entire squad available on a free transfer and warned that insolvency is likely if they cannot solve their looming financial crisis by the end of this month.

With league seasons now over, the long-term reality of the Covid-19 crisis is beginning to bite and it has been proposed that the National League be regionalised next season in an attempt to minimise costs.

Paul Doswell, the manager of Havant and Waterlooville in National League South, predicted that most new player contracts from League One downwards would have a “Covid clause” to mitin igate against all the uncertainties and said that there was widespread support for a temporarily regionalised league.

“The costs of competing and travelling will put many clubs under,” he said. “The administrators need to get their heads out of the sand and act now.”

Dover, who are in the National League, released a statement yesterday outlining their failure to agree wage cuts with the players. The furlough scheme has been sustaining many clubs down the pyramid, but is due to finish in October.

Jim Parmenter, Dover’s chairman, said the club were “unsure of their income” in the coming season and that he had explained the need for cuts during a meeting with the club’s staff and 14 remaining contracted players last week.

“The players and staff were asked to accept a 20 per cent short-term reduction in salary to assist the club in its efforts to stay solvent and keep the club alive,” he said. “The management have accepted the proposal, however, unfortunately the players have not.” He said that the players were therefore all available on free transfers.

Season-ticket holders have been promised that their outlay for next season is protected.