I need better players to challenge for promotion, insists Yorath

Sunday 02nd August 2009

MARGATE director Colin Page insists the club will find the funds to pay off their tax bill in time of their eight-week deadline, writes Stephen McCartney.

“The latest is (we’ve got) about two thirds still to get,” Mr Page told www.kentishfootball.co.uk yesterday.

“We’ve still got another eight weeks to go yet, we’re looking alright, positive.

“It was £24,000 and it’s about £15-16,000 now. We’ll be alright, it will be found. If I have to win the lottery tonight or put a thousand on a horse!”

Margate endured a miserable campaign last year. The began it under the guidance of Barry Ashby and Paul Smith, but Welsh legends Terry Yorath and Neville Southall took over but couldn’t avoid the club finishing in the bottom-four and inside the relegation zone.

However, due to Fisher Athletic’s demise, the Blues were given a reprieve and Mr Page says this coming campaign will be more enjoyable.

“Well, we had a bad start,” reflected Mr Page. “Ashby came in with Smithy and they went after about three months. Terry came in with Neville and he’s got to bring his own players in. The players that were there weren’t good enough.”

Looking ahead, Mr Page added, “We’re hoping we’re going to be up in the top four or five, promotion, but you’ve just got to wait and see what the other teams are like.

“If you’re there roundabouts in March, it’ll be alright.

“Play-off’s would be nice but top spot would be better.”

But Yorath added that he hasn’t got the tools to bring Blue Square South football to Hartsdown Park.

“I learnt (last season) that we needed experience,” said the Welshman, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I’ve got Ben (Lewis) and Lloyd (Blackman) in (from Maidstone United), who are experienced.

“We need another striker and one midfield player and plus a goalkeeper, so I’m still looking, still trying to find people.

“The chairman does his best. The club itself will soon be solvent, that’s good.”

Remarking on Mr Page’s promotion comments, Yorath said, “It’s good of him to say so! I tell he’s never been a football manager!

“Its unpredictable because if I get the players I want we’ll certainly be challenging. If I don’t get the players I want, it will be midtable.”

When asked about the calibre of his targets, Yorath said: “Higher up, players that have scored in the league above us and midfield players that are coming down from Conference South.”

Margate complete their pre-season programme with games against Ryman League Division One South opponents in Ashford Town (at Hartsdown Park on Tuesday night) and dark-horses Chatham Town (at Maidstone Road) next Saturday.

You read it here first that new Chatham manager Alex O’Brien will steer the Medway club towards top spot or the play-off’s this season.

Looking ahead to facing Chatham, Yorath admitted he was impressed with some players that wore the red and black on his scouting missions last term.

He said: “I saw Chatham play quite a few times and they were a decent side. I wanted to look at them because they had some good young players.”

And Yorath knows exactly what fellow Welshman Steve Lovell is facing at Ashford nowadays.

“That’s how this league works,” said Yorath. “One minute a club’s got money, the next minute there in trouble. It’s not only them, there’s quite a few teams since I’ve been here.

“I hope all the Kent sides do well, especially us.”

Margate collected the Thanet Gazette Cup by beating rivals Ramsgate 2-1 on aggregate, following their feisty encounter at Ramsgate yesterday.

Curtis Robinson’s strike at Hartsdown Park last Tuesday proved to be decisive as the two sides played out an eventful 1-1 draw at Southwood Stadium.

Lloyd Blackman nodded home Joe Healey’s 28th minute corner to effectively win the game for Yorath’s men.

But Ramsgate drew level six minutes before the break when Warren Schulz through ball released Ben Brown, who dinked the ball over goalkeeper Pat Mullin and beyond defender Jack Haverson.

But controversy arrived early in the second half when Blackman conned the referee by falling to the ground too easily and after three Ramsgate players were booked, Blackman’s resulting spot-kick was saved by goalkeeper Shaun Alliston.

NINE yellow cards were dished out by referee Mr Richard Joss - SEVEN of them were to Ramsgate players - and EIGHT were handed out to both sides during the second half.

Margate defender Ben Lewis, who was substituted at the break, and was therefore not booked, gave his views on his first ever Thanet derby.

“It’s kind of weird of playing pre-season friendlies against rivals,” the former Stone told www.kentishfootball.co.uk yesterday.

“I suppose it shouldn’t be done because of the bookings and that. It’s a bit of a shame as a player, the last thing you want is to go into the season with a booking.

“I suppose I’ve come out of lucky, but local games are always going to be like that.”

But Lewis admitted his team-mates didn’t play too well against Jim Ward’s side.

“I think over the two games were happy that we’ve won but I don’t think in either of the two games we played, which is a bit disappointing, especially myself.

“We didn’t get the ball much, we really want to play this year. The gaffer has been encouraging us to get it at the back, but we haven’t done it.

“To be fair, Ramsgate probably played the better football over the two games but we haven’t conceded too many goals.

“We’re getting stronger at the back, we’re getting everyone back in place now”.

Visit Margate’s website: www.margate-fc.com

Visit Ashford Town’s website: www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk

Margate v Ashford Town

Pre-Season Friendly

Tuesday 4th August 2009

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Hartsdown Park, Hartsdown Road, Margate, Kent CT9 5QZ