DOVER Athletic officials are still seeking a way out of the club’s financial crisis following another setback. Hopes that fresh cash would soon be on its way into the Crabble coffers has been were dashed with the announcement that one of the potential investment groups had withdrawn.

Club spokesman Bill Williams said: “It’s almost unbelievable, as every indication over the past three weeks had been of a positive nature, and last Thursday we were told that they would be going ahead. This is of course a setback, and we have wasted at least two weeks. So we must now move quickly and view our three remaining alternatives and make a recommendation to our shareholders as to the best way forward.”

Williams, who revealed that the “three remaining alternatives” included two other potential investors, added: “We can confirm that, in the worst scenario, the club will be able to complete its remaining fixtures this season. But we must emphasise that, to stay at the same level of competition, there would need to be more investors, sponsors etc for the following season.”

At least Williams’ message brings relief to Whites fans who feared that, without fresh investors, the club might not survive the season.

But Whites captain Keith Scott believes it is essential that the uncertainty over the club's future is solved as quickly as possible. Scott, the second leading scorer in the Conference with 13 goals, said: “At the moment the club is going nowhere and as players and supporters we need to know what's happening. For the benefit of the football club this needs to be resolved as soon as possible.”