DOVER ATHLETIC finally have a new board of directors in place, with Mick Kemp as the chairman.

The 55-year-old local businessman heads a four-man board which also includes Dutch shipping broker Marinus Kraak, Supporters’ Trust representative John Farringdon, and Herne Bay-based accountant Steve Cattermole who will act as the finance director and company secretary.

A support board will also be formed shortly, which will effectively be the club’s management committee.

The new executive board has been given the blessing of the club’s major shareholders, John and Alan Husk. Kemp said: “Now the hard work begins and there’s a lot to do, but we have a board now so things can begin to be sorted out at this club and our aim is to put it back on to a solid financial footing.

“I am very happy with the people who we have got on the board, I’ve already had good input from all them. I think it’s good that we have got some new blood and a new outlook. I think the club had got a little bogged down within itself.”

The “mystery man” is Kraak, and Kemp was not prepared to reveal too much about him other than that he is “a successful businessman, lives in Amsterdam and is a football fan who is interested in ensuring that this club stays in existence".

Kemp added: “Marinus will represent the interests of a group of local investors who are involved in the background. It’s a little tie-up which will hopefully give us something that this club have not had before.”

The board have to deal with the club’s debts, which Kemp has admitted are “far in excess” of the £120,000 previously indicated. The creditors include the tax man and the VAT man, and Kemp said: “Discussions have been held with the Inland Revenue and the Customs and Excise and both parties have been sympathetic and supportive. Both have agreed to take no precipitous action while the club’s affairs are sorted out.”

Kemp also revealed that the groundshare arrangement with Margate for next season had been signed. It still depends on Margate receiving planning permission for their redevelopment of Hartsdown Park, which Thanet Council are due to vote on in the next couple of weeks.