We will oppose any attempt to start the season behind closed doors, insists Dover Athletic chairman Jim Parmenter

DOVER ATHLETIC chairman Jim Parmenter says he will do everything he can to ensure the club survives – after the UK Government announced this morning that they have paused their plans to bring crowds back to Elite football from 1 October after a raise in Covid-19 cases.

Elite football comprises of the Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two, National League, National League North and National League South.

However, clubs in the rest of the non-league pyramid are allowed supporters to attend their games with limits split between 300, 400 and 600 depending on what level clubs play at.

Andy Hessenthaler’s side were due to start their National League campaign at home to Notts County on Saturday 3 October 2020.

“While the government have communicated with the nation, there has been no direct engagement with football clubs by them, the FA or National League – we still do not know what the plans are,” said Parmenter in a statement, posted on the club website.

“The board have been working hard to ensure the club stays viable, although this is another setback to our efforts and inevitably this will involve further consultation with our staff.

“Supporters can be assured that we are doing everything we can to ensure the survival of the club and we are taking every possible step to ensure we are ready for when fans are able to come back to the ground.

“At present, we do not know what the plans for the League season are, but we believe that the most likely outcome is a delay to the start of the fixtures.

“Unless funding is provided by the government, football behind closed doors is not sustainable at our level.

“We will oppose any attempt to start the season behind closed doors.”

Visit Dover Athletic’s website: www.doverathletic.com