Dover Athletic have confirmed that Andy Hessenthaler will be staying on as manager next season.

The club have appealed against the 12-point deduction imposed on them for next season, a punishment dished out after deciding to stop play midway through the current National League campaign.

Hessenthaler had already said he was keen to continue as manager, with or without the points deduction, and chairman Jim Parmenter has agreed for him to stay on.

Mr Parmenter, writing on the club's website, said: “With regard to next season, Hess will continue as manager and obviously, we will be starting in a compromised position (regardless of the appeal outcome).

“We will not be able to compete financially with the big rich clubs in the league, but we are planning an ‘alternative approach’ because the financial madness which is prevalent in our league currently is not sustainable and is destroying the game aided and abetted by the hopeless administrative structure at our level.

“What we will need as a club is for the whole town and district to come together to help us regroup and show the establishment that we will not be bullied.

“We stand united for what is right and just and we will not be cowed.

“So, please, recruit a friend, make a purchase from the shop, buy a season ticket when the time comes, sponsor us in some way, but most of all please come to the games and cheer the team on.

“Let us show the world of football that the people of Dover really do care about their club.

“Let us show football there is a better way!”

Mr Parmenter says the club's appeal against the sanctions imposed on them by the National League is unlikely to take place before mid-June.

The chairman thanked Sean Gorman and Simon Tovey of the Outset Group Maidstone for their legal and practical advice which has been freely given, with Mr Parmenter saying: “Without them we could not have come this far and all our supporters should be extremely appreciative of what they have done for our club and we are as confident as we can be that we have a just and indisputable case.”

On top of the points deduction the National League also fined Dover £40,000.

More: Dover MP weighs into the debate over "unfair" punishment