Dover Athletic's chairman has denied claims that the football club could be moving from Crabble to Whitfield.

Jim Parmenter said this was something the club has discussed with the council but assured the Mercury there are no plans to move at the moment - but it hasn't been completely ruled out for the future.

This comes after a planning application was submitted to Dover District Council for a new stand at Crabble in River.

The report states there are plans being examined to move the football ground but that this could take at least two years.

Mr Parmenter said: “It’s an option that has been discussed on and off with the council. There are no plans to move the football club, it’s merely an option. It’s just one of those things we looked at how we can move the football club forward.

“We have just spent £100,000 at Crabble so we’re not likely to move in the future. We talked about the idea among others and one of them might happen but at the moment there are no plans.

“We keep open-minded but it’s certainly not a plan that is in place.”

He added that the report had been taken out of context.

It states: “There are proposals for the relocation of the football club away from Crabble to Whitfield and these are currently being examined by the club in conjunction with Dover District Council. However even if the decision is taken to move to a new ground the proposals within this current application will need to be implemented in time for the next season as a move will take at least two years.”

The application was submitted by Lee Evans Partnership for a new stand at the ground which would include new changing rooms, disabled supporters facilities, control room and seating for 472 spectators together with the installation of a ramp and stairs.