Ebbsfleet's owner is staying away from their play-off games so he doesn't bring them bad luck.

Dr Abdulla Al-Humaidi was in the directors box at Gander Green Lane last month to see Fleet beaten 2-0 by Sutton, who were subsequently crowned National League South champions.

But you won't see him at their semi-final against Whitehawk, the first leg of which takes place at the Enclosed Ground in Brighton on Wednesday (7.45pm).

Dr Al-Humaidi said: "To be honest, I think I’m bad luck. I’ll probably miss out on this year’s play-offs.

"The big matches that I’ve attended haven’t always gone our way.

"It was a disappointment two years ago against Dover (in the play-off final) and the match at Sutton - and some of the other matches I’ve attended.

"I think it’s bad luck so I’d rather stay away and hope for the best."

Fleet put their Kuwaiti chairman through the mill even when he's following the action from afar.

Dr Al-Humaidi said: "The other directors send me regular messages every three or four minutes of what’s happening.

"It is nerve-wracking so I’ve stopped looking at my phone until the final whistle.

"That’s the way it’s been for the past couple of matches. I’ve adapted to that now so that’s the way forward."