DOVER Athletic's finance director Steve Cattermole has confirmed that the club is facing a big bill to repair the Crabble floodlights.

The club’s continuing financial problems were illustrated recently when the Supporters’ Trust had to step in to pay the players’ wages, owing to cash flow problems caused by falling gates.

And on top of these problems, an estimated £7,000 will have to spent on the pitch over the summer to rectify drainage problems at Crabble.

Cattermole said: “In order to compete in the major trophies next season we have to submit something called a lux reading, which tells you the strength of light in various areas.

“It is brilliant around the goals, but not so good in the centre of the pitch. We have got to find out what it costs and make an application to the Football Trust.”

However, the Football Trust is by no means certain to provide any of the funds required and there is now talk of setting up a floodlight fund to finance the repairs.

“The lights have been in a state of disrepair for some time,” said Cattermole. “I don’t know much about the technicalities but what we have is a hybrid - it’s a two-manufacturer system. “It would be great if a local guy came forward who could help us, but at the moment there is no-one.”

Crabble’s drainage problems have been well known for some time and the club has now received quotes for the cost of remedying the situation.

As has been well documented, many of Whites’ current financial woes can be traced back to a major shortfall in sponsorship income.

The club has been very active since February in chasing a major sponsor and Cattermole says that some interest has been shown. But he again expressed his disappointment at the attitude of some fans towards the Supporters’ Trust.