DOVER Athletic chairman Mick Kemp is in discussion with the Southern League over switching four of Whites' home fixtures in the New Year to help out groundsharers Margate.

The Thanet club have been told by the Conference that they will be fined £5,000 for every 'home' game after December 31 which they move from its scheduled date.

Four of their fixtures in the New Year presently clash with Whites' fixtures at the Hoverspeed Stadium, starting with Whites' home game against Worcester on January 3, when Margate are also due to play Forest Green Rovers at 'home'.

Conference chief executive John Moules said that the £5,000 fine was the least severe of three possible punishments.

The alternatives were deducting points or expulsion from the league. Margate have been given 14 days to appeal.

Under the latest groundsharing deal struck between Mr Kemp and Margate chairman Jim Parmenter, Whites' fixtures take precedence over Margate's, but Mr Kemp said: "If we could come to some agreement it would help both clubs. Being mercenary, it could mean money for this club, and I have told Jim Parmenter that I don't want to see Margate go out of business.

"I understand other Conference clubs have been pressing for Margate to be dealt with more severely. Clubs at the bottom know that if Margate were to be relegated, there would be one less club going down."

Mr Kemp is contemplating an arrangement whereby Dover would switch games to accommodate Margate in return for financial compensation.