Blues Welcome Stimson As New Manager

Margate Football Club are delighted to announce Mark Stimson as new First Team Manager on an 18-month contract.

55-year-old Stimson has enjoyed an esteemed career to date, including winning the FA Trophy four times, twice at Grays Athletic, and one each at Stevenage Borough and most recently at Hornchurch in 2021.

As well as his time in Non-League, Stimson has also managed in the Football League where he took Gillingham to League One via the League Two play-offs. Stimson also managed in the Football League with Barnet.

During his playing time, Stimson started his career with Tottenham Hotspur, before moving to Tyneside where he made over 80 appearances for Newcastle United.

Margate Chairman Ricky Owen commented after making the appointment.

“We are delighted to welcome Mark to the club, he was our main target from day one.

With the exception of the Kent Cup victory, the last 15 months on the pitch have been frustrating, we have never found the consistency needed to push up the table. When things are disappointing on the pitch, progress in other areas can be ignored.

But the club has transformed in the last 6 years, the installation of the 3G pitch, fantastic new changing rooms, and let’s not forget the purchase of the freehold to secure our home. Off the pitch the club has gone from strength to strength - commercially improved, established an academy, the community trust is active once again and we have a thriving youth set up.

With the appointment of an experienced manager, with an impressive CV, we hope our fortunes on the pitch will now change. Of course, Mark needs some time but our supporters should see his arrival as a clear indication of our ambition.”

Mark will be in the dugout at Hartsdown Park for the first time on Saturday as we welcome Carshalton Athletic in the Isthmian Premier Division.

News on Mark’s coaching team will be announced in due course.

Tickets for this game can be purchased by clicking here.

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