25thjuly03

New strike force delights Kinnear
Margate manager Chris Kinnear says the signing of Warren Patmore was all down to being in the right place at the right time.
 
The former Rushden & Diamond and Yeovil hit-man has just started his own estate agency and was unable to commit himself to Woking full-time, which enabled the Gate to pick him up on a free transfer.
 
Only two years ago the 31-year-old, who has also played at Millwall, Cambridge and Northampton, commanded a fee of £50,000.
 
Kinnear believes his new-look forward line of Patmore, Che Stadhart and Jean-Michel Sigere is the best the club have had since they have been in the Nationwide Conference.
 
He said: "Warren's a great character and a good leader of the line who also scores goals. He's won the Conference goalscoring award a few times and thinks he can again.
 
"Siggy (Jean-Michel Sigere) also feels he's in with a chance, and when you add Che Stadhart it's quite an exciting combination we've got."
 
Kinnear says he has yet to decide whether to play all three new strikers in the same team but says it is just nice to have the option.
 
"Before, we've only really had two strikers, Leon Braithwaite and Phil Collins. Leon didn't play that much last year and on occasions we've had to play Terry McFlynn or John Keister up front."
 
Kinnear admits it is disappointing not to be starting the season at the new Hartsdown Park but says there is no point moaning about having to play again at Dover's Crabble Ground.
 
He added: "If I start getting miserable and making excuses it just gives the players an excuse not to perform. With a new ground it's important to get things right and that's what the directors are trying to do."