Chairman Jim Parmenter admits he has been left paying the wages at Dover amid what he describes as an operational finance disaster.

With their scheduled National League South match at home to Worthing last weekend called off hours before kick-off, Whites’ first-team have played only twice competitively at Crabble since the start of November and are not due to play there again until New Year’s Day against Dulwich.

After relegation last season from the National League, Whites are 14th in the National League South attendance table with average crowds of 627 this campaign - less than all their local rivals.

Mr Parmenter believes it’s a situation which cannot continue much longer as he urges fans to support the 12th-placed club “to ensure its survival.”

“Firstly, it was a great shame that our National League South game against Worthing at Crabble last Saturday was called off by the match referee,” he said in a club statement, published on Monday.

“Frosted pitches, when the temperatures are forecast to rise the following day, are always a tough call.

“The previous day when the temperatures and the forecast were virtually the same, we implemented a procedure to see the best treatment for the pitch and, by 11am, the pitch was completely thawed. So it was reasonable for the groundsman to assume it would be the same on matchday.

“Temperatures did rise to 4.5-5 degrees and the pitch thawed, as expected. Unfortunately, a small strip on the Main Stand side about 1.5 metres wide had not thawed to the match referee’s liking by the time he arrived at 1pm.

“Whether or not that made the game unplayable is a matter of opinion, but of course, in that situation, it’s only the match referee's opinion that counts.

“It appears that these days the default seems to be to call the game off, rather than do everything you can to get the game played.

“Supporters will remember the many times over the years that an army of volunteers has helped me clear tonnes of snow from the pitch from early morning to get a game on. How times have changed!

“I do get concerned when I see individuals surrounding the referee, trying to influence his decision but, again, it appears to be the modern way.

“For us, it was even more disappointing as we had a lot of hospitality bookings and of course Ross Smith - the European darts champion - visiting.

“The result for the club is that the postponement means that we have played only two home games in nine weeks, which for our operational finances, is a disaster. Our crowds have been well down on budget and, without that vital match income, I am left paying the wages.

“Obviously, this is a situation that cannot continue for much longer, so I urge all supporters to get along and support your club to ensure its survival.

“To those who seem to believe it’s a good thing to spread negativity on social media, I say all you are doing is harming your club. Negativity breeds negativity, so please stop and think and get behind the team.

“We are just a few points off the play-offs with a very good chance of achieving them, with some adjustments. Good support will help us achieve that target.”

Mr Parmenter also explained there had been a setback in plans to convert their old training pitch behind the River End Stand to a 3G pitch exclusively for community use.

He continued: “Moving on to our community project in partnership with our friends and sponsors at Megger, there has been a setback in the funding of the proposed community 3G pitch project.

“Unfortunately, despite giving me their support in writing, which I, in turn, supplied to the Football Foundation along with many other letters of support, Dover District Council officers at a separate meeting and - without informing me - informed the Football Foundation that although they supported the scheme, they did not see it as ‘strategically important’ and, therefore, they wanted any Football Foundation money available for other ‘more important’ council schemes.

“Whether those other proposals will bring as much to the community as our project remains to be seen.

“I have contacted DDC for an explanation but, so far, no reply. Concerned supporters may wish to contact their local councillor on the matter.

“This does not mean we can’t proceed with our plans but, as it stands without Football Foundation grants, we are 300k short of our funding requirements, even with the generous support of our sponsors and others.

“I will continue to strive to find finance from other sources to complete the project and would welcome any help that may be forthcoming.

“In the meantime, I’m hopeful that thanks to our friends at Megger we will be able to proceed with appointing our community engagement and inclusion officer to start our joint-community project.

“I would like to thank our staff for their dedication during a difficult year and our small band of volunteers, who continue to do a magnificent job keeping the club running, particularly on match days.

“In closing, I would like to wish you all a Happy Christmas, a prosperous New Year, and most importantly, health and happiness to you and your families.”

Dover were due to visit Tonbridge in the league tomorrow (Tuesday) but the match has been postponed with snow on the pitch.

Whites are also without a game this Saturday.