4thapr05

Edwards awarded testimonial on Hartsdown return

NATIONWIDE SOUTH strugglers Margate held their AGM last Wednesday when members were informed of the club's latest position, writes Stephen McCartney.

Directors of the club also stayed on for an open meeting with the club's supporters, to inform them of the same.

There was good news and bad news. The good news confirmed that the London and Margate Development Company (Gary Lever) had confirmed that the contractor would be on site on Tuesday 5 April 2005, to commence the works necessary to reinstate their Hartsdown Park  ground to Conference South standard.

The programme of works will return the club to Hartsdown Park for the start of next season. Supporters were advised that the first match to be held at the reinstated ground would be a testimonial for the long and loyal service of defender Bill Edwards.

The bad news was despite the continued negotiations with London and Margate Development Company, the directors have been unable to secure the agreed release of funding necessary to remove the transfer embargo currently on the club. The London and Margate Development Company have confirmed that these funds cannot be released until the detailed planning application has been approved. The application had been due to go before full council on 31 March 2005 but has now been delayed until the April meeting.

Manager Chris Kinnear attended both the AGM and the open meeting and has been kept fully informed of this situation.

The directors confirmed that the council had fully cooperated with the assignment of the lease from Margate Football Club Ltd to Hartsdown Development Company Ltd and this matter has been completed by the solicitors.

The directors also confirmed that in principal, agreement had been reached with the Clubs major creditor and a repayment programme is set to commence on the Clubs return to Hartsdown Park in August 2005.

Meanwhile, John Keister has won the Margate player of the Month Award for March, having collected 25% of the vote on the club's website www.margate-fc.com.

Margate are sadly in the drop zone and need victory when St Albans City - who are only five points clear of the Kent side - visit Homelands on Tuesday night.


Margate v St Albans City
Tuesday 5th April 2005
Nationwide Conference South
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Ashford Town FC, The Homelands, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth