HESS IS IN – AS WHITES PREPARE APPEAL
DETERMINED Jim Parmenter has revealed that Dover Athletic have got Queen’s Counsel involved to take on the National League in the Appeal courts – while Andy Hessenthaler will continue to lead the club’s assault on the pitch.
Chairman Parmenter is leading Dover’s appeal against a 12-point deduction and £40,000 fine for failing to fulfil fixtures, which led to their National League results being expunged.
In an address to Whites supporters this week, Parmenter revealed that the cash-strapped club have appointed Queen’s Counsel – who have rights of audience in the highest courts of England and Wales – to represent them at the hearing, while local MP Natalie Elphick will also make a representation.
Parmenter, who stood down from the National League board of directors he is battling against, back in February, said: “[The appeal] 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.
“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.”
He added: “We stand united for what is right and just and we will not be cowed.”
Parmenter also revealed that Hessenthaler will stay on manager next season, but admits the club won’t be competing on a level playing field.
“With regard to next season, Hess will continue as manager and obviously, we will be starting in a compromised position, regardless of the appeal outcome,” he added.
“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.”