A GROUP of businessmen have formed a syndicate with the intention of persuading Neville Southall to become Dover Athletic's manager by offering to fund his wages.

Speculation has grown this week that the goalkeeping legend, who lives in Deal, could return to his former club following the sacking of first team coach Richard Langley.

Dover chairman Mick Kemp says the club will not be rushed into a decision. The position is being advertised and applications will close on September 27, with an appointment not expected until early October.

Whites' experienced 'keeper Paul Hyde has already confirmed he wants to succeed Langley, who was dismissed after Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Northwood, a result which left them second from bottom of the Ryman League Premier Division table.

One of the syndicate members is Alkham-based professional musician Steve Williams, who said: "There is a group of us who are trying to put some funds together to help the club in getting a new manager.

"We don't want to join the board or take control of the club, but we want to meet Nev and make him an offer to come back to the club because we feel that's what most Dover supporters want.

"However, we haven't got enough money to negotiate with him, and if he says 'no' to our offer then that's it, end of story."

The former Wales and Everton goalkeeper was in charge for an 11-game spell in the Conference between December 2001 and March 2002, during which the side lost nine times.

Southall remains bitter at the way he was treated at Crabble, believing that promises made to him when he took over were not honoured, and he said this week: "I won't be applying for it. But if it was offered to me, if they wanted some help short term, I'd have to think about it."

Reserve team boss Gary Whittle was installed as a temporary replacement for Langley and immediately stopped the rot as Whites drew 0-0 at bottom club Kingstonian on Monday evening.

Whittle said he preferred to stay "non-committal" about his interest in taking the role on a permanent basis.

He said: "The agreement I have got with the club is that I am caretaker manager on a match to match basis, and that's all I am looking at for the moment. It's my job to restore some morale and spirit in the side, and Monday night's result was a good start."

Whittle will again lead the side at high-flying Windsor & Eton on Saturday looking to build on his encouraging start. And on Tuesday evening Whites fans have a chance to show their support for the new caretaker coach when Dover face Staines at the Hoverspeed Stadium.

Key striker Craig Wilkins missed the Kingstonian clash and faces a fitness test prior to the Windsor & Eton game, but with the money-spinning FA Cup first qualifying round tie against AFC Wimbledon on September 18, he may not be risked. Tom Hickman also misses the game through suspension.