The Football Association and the Kent County FA have been asked to help find a solution to Deal Town’s power struggle.

Lee Champion from FA headquarters at Wembley and Kent FA board member Dr Alec Penrose visited Deal on Friday to meet representatives from the two groups who are currently claiming to be in control of the club.

Dr Penrose, who lives in Walmer, said: "We had been contacted by representatives from both sides, but I was there purely as an observer for the Kent FA.

"Lee Champion conducted the business side and it was an opportunity for the two groups to put their respective positions. Lee will now produce a report suggesting the best way forward."

David Reid (pictured), elected chairman at an extraordinary general meeting last month held by members of Deal Town FC (2001) and the Supporters’ Club, said: "We had a good meeting and we gave them all the documented facts, and now we are looking forward to receiving the FA’s report."

Steve Bowers, chairman of the group which also claims it has the authority to run the club following the merger of Deal Town with Deal Town Rangers two years ago, said: "We gave a lot of information to Mr Champion and he went back to London with plenty to think about.

"We have now got to wait for his report and, because we aren’t sure how long it will take, we have decided to postpone our EGM on Sunday, April 25."

Mr Bowers also claimed that the Coalfields Regeneration Trust had set a deadline of May 31 for the boardroom dispute to be settled, otherwise the Trust’s offer of a £100,000 grant towards the refurbishment of the new Charles Ground clubhouse would be withdrawn.