DOVER Athletic Supporters Trust have launched an urgent appeal to raise funds. Chairman Simon Harris has written to every member asking for a contribution of £25.

The club recently asked the trust for £10,000 to help settle a number of bills, including VAT and Inland Revenue, by the end of May.

The club has lost an average of £25-30,000 per year for the last two years.

Mr Harris wrote: “When we chose to go the route of a Supporters Trust, it was with the aim of supporters owning their own club. The Trust now owns in excess of 25 per cent of our football club.”

Mr Harris hopes some supporters will be able to contribute more than £25.

Whites chairman Mick Kemp said: “If the Supporters’ Trust is serious about running a football club it must realise it comes with responsibilities. They can’t have it both ways. At the end of the season the board of directors normally put their own money into a football club to make up the shortfall.

“This club is part-owned by the Supporters’ Trust. My aim, and that of the board, is to make this club self-sufficient.”

Mr Harris stressed: "The club desperately need this money. If every Trust member paid £2 per month by standing order, we would have £1,000 a month extra. If we hadn’t lost 200 fans per game, or if we had had a cup run, we wouldn’t have this problem.

“The Trust is vital to this club’s future. Members have a responsibility.”