DOVER ATHLETIC officials were involved in talks with another group of potential investors today as the gloom around Crabble continues to deepen. Last week’s announcement that one of the potential investment groups had withdrawn was followed by Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat by Southport, which sent Whites back into the Conference bottom three.

All concerned at Crabble are now in need of a spot of good news, notwithstanding the welcome launch of the Supporters’ Trust before Saturday’s home game with third-placed Barnet.

Whites' general manager Bill Williams, speaking before today's meeting with a consortium of potential investors, said: “I'm going into the meeting in a positive frame of mind. But after last week's events I'm not optimistic. I was optimistic about that deal - we even had final interviews arranged - but we suddenly got a phone call saying the deal was off.”

Williams said he had been given no clue as to why the first group had withdrawn, and added that no other possible investors have expressed an interest at this stage.

Team captain Keith Scott also expressed his frustration at the club's financial limbo, saying: "I had two or three other offers to go elsewhere but chose Dover because I believed it was a club that was going places, and I'm sure there are other players who feel the same deep down inside. We're all in football because we want to see the club succeed, but at the moment it doesn't look like it's going to happen.

“The club's existence is secure until the end of the season but there is no guarantee there will be a Dover Athletic this time next year. It would be a big loss to the town of Dover. There are people who have supported this club all their lives and they want to know what's going on.

“I have another year on my contract and I don't want to get a 'phone call when I'm on holiday in June telling me the club has gone bust.”

The one-time Premiership forward said a lack of goals was the main reason for Whites' struggles this term. He said: “We've scored 23 goals in 23 games which is not enough. It puts too much pressure on the back line as they know if they let in one goal we're in trouble.”