7thjune05

Progress remains on course at Hartsdown Park

MARGATE Football Club have now received confirmation that Thanet District Council has granted permission for the reinstatement of the stadium, floodlighting and temporary seating at Hartsdown Park, together with a new glazed entrance porch to their existing social club, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Ryman Premier League club has also received confirmation that their detailed planning application submitted in December 2004 will go before the planning committee on 20th July 2005 and then on to the full council a day later to be ratified.

The Thanet club confirm that its detailed application no longer includes the proposed medical centre, with the club retaining all of its rights to make a separate application for this facility at a later date.

Margate, however, can confirm that arrangements necessary to release itself from the embargo got underway last week, when part of the funding to do so was released with all balances due to be settled before the 30th June.

There is no further news regarding the club's application for a CVA and no further news is expected until the outcome of the detailed planning decision.  Works to their temporary stadium remain on course despite losing several days through weather conditions, which has delayed the turfing of the playing surface.

The appointed buildings are due on site next week to commence both the building and refurbishment work forming part of the upgrade to the Hartsdown stand.  Progress, however, remains on course for the facility to be ready for Margate stalwart, Bill Edwards' testimonial on Saturday 6th August 2005.

Arrangements are in place for the Safety Committee to meet shortly in preparation for the issue of the required safety certificate.  The committee is made up of the local council, fire brigade and local police together with a representative of the club.

The club are working closely with both its Supporters Association and its new Youth section to formalise arrangements for the start of next season.  Meetings are already being held to agree the appointment of key positions for the management of their facility.

Margate will shortly be launching its commercial programme designed to generate income from every source it has available, bringing the football club back to its community after a three year exile at Dover Athletic (2 years) and Ashford Town.

Margate's directors are hoping to arrange a further meeting with supporters for a question and answer session in the social club and this will shortly be announced.  "Please come along as your contribution to the discussion is highly valued," said a statement.

Margate manager Chris Kinnear, who has just returned from a week away, will now be able to plan for the new season. 

"We will meet with him shortly and set out the budget.  We are not in a position of taking any chances over our finances and our largest projected income will come from the turnstiles, which you the supporters determine," the statement said.

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