Gate Goody Bag Winners Announced

This season, Margate FC celebrate our 125th birthday!

And as part of our planned celebrations, we teamed up with our friends at O’Neillsto help people enjoy a summer of football in Margate by giving away ten Gate Goody bags.

Packed with footballs, speed hurdles, hard cones, flexi markers and a speed ladder, the Gate Goody bags have a retail value of over £100. The local community were invited to submit applications including 250 words explaining why they deserved to win a Gate Goody Bag

The club received some truly incredible applications which made selecting just ten very difficult indeed. However, we are delighted to tell you more about our ten winners, all of whom were invited to The Gate’s Bank Holiday clash versus Cray Wanderer to be presented with their Gate Goody Bag at Hartsdown Park.

Check out the full gallery of photos here.

Palm Bay Football Club

Palm Bay Football Club offer free community football sessions for three- to five-year-olds. The sessions began in April 2021 after lockdown as the club identified a need to get young children back outside to be active and socialise after a series of lockdowns. Over 35 children have attended the sessions with an average of 15 players turning up each and every Saturday.

Equipment for these sessions has been purchased by Will Ross, a volunteer at the club. Will wants to keep sessions free and accessible for all and the Gate Goody Bag will help with this. The club will also be fostering a new link with Margate FC with children from these sessions “graduating” to join our Youth Saturday Soccer Club.

“I bring my kinds to watch games at the club and hope to encourage more parents to bring their kids too. As a love of football, lifelong (very average) player, teach and former youth and community coach, I understand the value football has to children and the community, and, with Margate FC’s support, want more families to benefit from getting involved in football and the club.”

AFC Westgate United Services Club

Before Covid, AFC Westgate Services Club were leading the first division of the Miles and Barr Thanet Sunday League and were favourites for the promotion as well as the divisional cup and invitation cup. Covid restrictions denied the club any silverware, but the young team were promoted to the Premier Division where two teams sadly folded making it an even more challenging campaign for the young players up against seasoned players.

The players had it tough but through perseverance managed to register some wins and quitting was never any option.

“This award would be in recognition of a young team’s endeavour to compete at the highest level.”

Canterbury City FC Ladies

Canterbury City FC Ladies are a very new team finding their feet in the world of football. This season is their first in the Kent Division One East Tier.

“We would love to receive this goody bag. As a ladies team, it is difficult to find players and I believe with the equipment to support us, we can demonstrate our professionalism and passion for the game which will hopefully entice players to join us. We’d really love to use the equipment to encourage more women to play and improve their fitness.”

The Charitable Football Club

The Charitable Football Club were formed in July 2020 to raise funds and awareness of charities and good causes across Kent and the South East. They have played six charity matches raising over £3,000 in the process. In April, the club launched their Head In The Game project to tackle the stigma of talking about men’s mental health. They run weekly sessions for men aged 25-55 that combines early intervention with men’s mental health support within football.

To date, The Charitable Football Club have worked with 35 men in Thanet, improving not only their physical fitness but their mental well-being. The club’s overall aim is to reduce male suicide by creating a safe, secure and comfortable environment to talk.

“One of the issues that the project faces is the continual need for extra equipment, so any donation would be most welcome.”

The Zoomers

Shay McCarthy is five years old and has a speech disorder called Developmental Verbal Dyspraxia and Development Coordination Disorder. Dyspraxia has a huge impact upon co-ordination, as skill required of course, to play football. Shay loves to play football and once he has a ball, he never gives up. Shay is an excellent dribbler and whilst playing with his mates, the language problems he has don’t exist. His friends just see him as another local lad who loves to play, no talking needed!

“Please consider Shay as he and his friends would definitely benefit from the kit, using it to not only help his coordination but also help to bridge the gap with differing abilities.”

6th Ramsgate Sea Scouts

6th Ramsgate Sea Scouts is a charity led group which provides fun activities for children aged 5 to 18. Everything they do relies on donations to the group. During the past year, it has been very tough for the organisation to run activities, income has been very low whilst bills to pay have meant a huge impact on the activities that can be run.

“Opportunities like this are amazing and help massively. It would be amazing to share this with all sections and achieve our athletic badge which we’d never do without your help.”

Swanscombe Tigers Stripes

Swanscombe Tigers Stripes have played their first season at under 10 level and have a group of players of all abilities both football wise and mental disability wise. Each week, the players play with a smile on their face, no matter the result. Their motto is “If you had fun, then you have won”. The boys put some much effort into training and are always trying new ideas in training.

“Something like this would give the team an even bigger lift going up to nine-a-side this season, as victories have been hard to come by but hasn’t stopped the team’s determination.”

Margate Walking Football Club

Born out of putting the football club into the local community. Margate Walking Football Club have grown from six players in Octobr 2014, to having two competitive teams in leagues and cups, as well as a mixed ability group who play friendly matches both home and away to build links with other communities.

Although the purpose of the club is to play a gentler version of the beautiful game, they are more than just a football team. The club plays an important role in helping both men and women with their physical and mental well-being.

“The equipment would be used in warm up training sessions as we try to expand and cater for a wider group of people of any age and ability at times that suit them.”

Lighthouse School

Lighthouse School is a special school for predominantly looked after children and their students absolutely love football.

“If we won this, our children would be the happiest kids around. We have not closed over Covid and our students have been here every day throughout this hard time and we feel they deserve this.”

Leon Austin

Leon attends Tots Football and loves all activities and learning including ladders and cones. Leon wears his football kit with pride and loves to watch his country and team on the television. Although he is only three, Leon won’t go to any park without a football at his feet.

Leon has had a very tough year with the pandemic, due to having health issues which meant he had to spend so much time indoors. Leon missed the start of nursery, missed his friends growing up and his family too.

“We live right by Margate FC and Leon is so excited for the season to begin so he can go and watch his first game, supporting his local side. Leon has attended Margate FC with his nursery and played on the pitch. Every time we go past the ground, he begs to play on the pitch, saying “I’m going to do that as my job when I get bigger, I’m going to play football.”

“Winning this amazing gift would mean so much to him and to be able to do things in his own garden and local park with his family and friends. I know Leon would appreciate and use all these items everyday possible if he received them”

An outstanding bunch of winners, we looked forward to welcoming them all to HDP on Monday 30th August.

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