I decided to lay Margate’s pitch in my back garden as I was actually looking to get a lawn, says Margate supporter Jamie Jefcoate

A MARGATE supporter has grabbed an once in a lifetime opportunity of laying some of the club’s pitch in his back garden.

Jamie Jefcoate, 29, who lives in Westgate-on-Sea and is a shuttering carpenter and volunteer grassroots football coach, contacted the Isthmian Premier club about buying some of the pitch after the club announced that they will be laying an artificial pitch at Hartsdown Park this summer.

“I decided to lay Margate’s pitch in my back garden as I was actually looking to get a lawn,” said Mr Jefcoate.


Margate supporter Jamie Jefcoate, 29,
has purchased some of the club's pitch
for his back garden in Westgate-on-Sea.
Photo: Jamie Jefcoate

“I contacted the club and they said they would get a turf remover and I was able to have as much as I liked.  It was perfect really as I’ve been watching Margate since I was 10 or 11.

“Graham Ives, the groundsman, always kept it in good condition.  It would be a challenge to find a better surface at any level across the country in midwinter, so credit to him too.

“I donated a small amount of money, I will keep that between myself and the club.”

The club were relegated from Vanarama National League South last season following a horrendous campaign both on and off the pitch.

But hopes are high among the Hartsdown Park faithful that current manager Steven Watt can bring the good times back to the club next season.

“Being a Margate fan over the last few years has had its ups and downs,” admitted Mr Jefcoate.

“Obviously, promotion to the Conference South (in May 2015) was a massive boost for the club and the players that came in that season looked like we might kick on and hit the play-offs.  That didn’t happen and Nikki Bull took over just before Christmas and put together an unbelievable run to get us up to sixth, then the bubble burst.

“The season just gone we made some signings of players who had a decent reputation. It was a slow start, then again it all went downhill in the autumn 2016 and we went on a 16 game losing streak.

“Since Steven Watt has come in (24 February 2017) players look like they want to be here. He’s signed some decent players in the off-season.

“With the new owners investing in the infrastructure of the club equally this time with building a squad, the future looks good for Margate and hopefully the days come back when we’re playing National League sides again at Hartsdown Park.

“It would be good to get a top eight finish and push for the play-offs next season, win at least 50% of our games, have a decent run in The FA Cup, maybe hit the first round, and a little run in The Buildbase FA Trophy too.

“All the fans who stuck by the team in the last few seasons deserve it.  There’s some great characters, some good friends and long may that continue.  Good luck to Steven Watt, all the staff and players for the coming season.”

Visit Margate’s website: www.margate-fc.co.uk