DOVER Athletic have been plunged into crisis by the sudden resignations of chairman Jim Gleeson and fellow director Roger Knight. Gleeson, who warned two weeks ago that he was not prepared to keep the club afloat indefinitely out of his own resources, announced in a statement, issued through his solicitors, that he and Knight were quitting as directors with immediate effect.

The news came as a surprise to everyone else at Crabble, including manager Gary Bellamy and general manager Bill Williams. Both men insisted that Saturday's home game with Stevenage will go ahead, but Whites' immediate future beyond that is open to debate.

In a statement Williams said: "The decision by Jim Gleeson and Roger Knight came as a massive shock to everyone at the club. Survival is now the name of the game, both on and off the field. At the moment there is myself, Dave Scoggins, the company secretary, and team manager Gary Bellamy, who will manage the club from today through to Saturday's game against Stevenage.

"This four-day period will allow us to take stock, take the best advice available, and set up meetings with the club's shareholders in an attempt to get a clearer picture and some guidance as to what direction they wish the club to move in.

"There is no doubt that the club is in a serious financial state and that at the moment we cannot look beyond Saturday's game."