Dover Athletic will in the next few days become the first Kent football club to become a part of the Government’s “furlough” scheme as the Coronavirus pandemic deepens.

In a statement published on the club website chairman Jim Parmenter outlined the decision taken by the football club.

“I have been asked to clarify Dover Athletics’ 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 not likely for the foreseeable future.

“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 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.

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