January 2023 Update

There is no doubt that the past four weeks have been a challenging time for the football club both on and off the pitch.

Firstly, we decided to make a change in management after our Boxing Day defeat against Cray Wanders. We would like to place on record our thanks for the commitment shown by Andy Drury and we all wish him well for the future.

Both Reece and Ben were placed in interim charge whilst we considered our next options. In the meantime, we have completely supported Reece and Ben during their time in charge. We have allowed both to bring their own players into the squad. It has been clear that the results of late have been poor and we now find ourselves in a relegation battle. As a Board we have a duty to ensure that we give everything to avoid dropping into the Isthmian South-East division.

Off the pitch we have also had a difficult few weeks with further delays to the new Changing rooms. The internal works of the changing rooms is expected to be finalised during the second week of February. External works may run slightly into the beginning of March with the likes of the tunnel to be completed before mid-March.

We have this week agreed a pitch maintenance programme of works with S&C Slatters for this summer to ensure that our 3G surface remains state of the art which again attracts additional use of our venue throughout the week and weekends. As well as the planned pitch works, the club has this week submitted plans to the football foundation for a complete renovation of our 3G cages that will see new surfaces and layout of the five-a-side centre which again will raise the standards of our facility and home at Hartsdown Park.

We continue to liaise with relevant stakeholders to the installation of two eleven a side grass pitches at the back of Hartsdown Park to accommodate further training hours and availability of pitches in the Thanet area. All of these initiatives are fully supported by our owner who has once again shown real ambition to improve the infrastructure, facilities and image of Margate Football Club since he took over in 2017.

Our Owner, and us as a Board have no other objective than ensuring this football club does not drop any lower than it currently is. We have recently increased our commercial activities and we look forward to welcoming further businesses and local companies to Hartsdown Park soon. Additionally, we have begun to prepare and plan for events at Hartsdown Park throughout 2023 which will make the club even more inclusive over the calendar year.

Our Youth section continues to grow with now over 550 children playing football for Margate. Not only have we seen an increase in boys and girls playing football but also we have an SEN session running each week which continues to grow week on week.

We recognise that the next run of games is huge for the football club. We hope that all of you can continue your support of the boys starting with a big game at Bognor Regis Town on Saturday. ?

Board of Directors

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