DOVER Athletic are living on a knife edge again following the revelation that the club must find £15,000 in a matter of days or face a possible winding up order.

This season of virtually unremitting woe for Whites fans took another turn for the worse when general manager Bill Williams delivered the grim news at the official launch of the club’s Supporters’ Trust at Dover Town Hall last Thursday.

He said: “Dover Athletic is in serious trouble and we need £15,000 in 10-12 days, and a £30,000 commitment from now until the end of the season.

“So if there are people out there who can provide the cash, we need them to come forward now, otherwise the club will fold.”

Dover’s hard-core supporters listened in stunned silence as Williams revealed the financial losses which have brought the club to its knees.

Williams said: "We have been living beyond our means for several years now. We are currently losing around £2,000 a week and have debts of £120,000. The Inland Revenue and the VAT people are among our creditors and we need £15,000 as quickly as possible, otherwise the club could be wound up.”

Dover’s future has been clouded in uncertainty ever since Jim Gleeson resigned as chairman in October. Efforts by Williams and new chairman Gordon Cowan to enlist the support of new investors have been repeatedly thwarted by the club’s complicated financial situation.

This week Williams was a shade more optimistic about the situation. He said: "Things are looking slightly better now than they were this time last week, and we are working hard to put a rescue package together.”

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S DOVER MERCURY