Margate appoint Alistair Bayliss as their new chairman: In my role, one of the most important things I can do is give the manager as much support as I can

JOHN WEBB has stepped down as chairman and director of crisis club Margate.

 

“The reasons are varied, which includes my health, family, business and my desire to ensure Margate FC is moved forward,” Mr Webb said in his departing statement published on www.margate-fc.co.uk.

“I would like to thank all those supporters of Margate FC who have become my friends over my time at the club and have helped in any way they can. I will not forget you.

“My period as chairman should have been a pleasant one, but turned into a nightmare.

“I and Margate Football Club have been let down very badly with false hope and promises….”

Mr Webb heaped praise on manager Nikki Bull, who is working with a much reduced playing budget and squad that he started the season with.

“The dub also has very good people now working within it to take it forward.  All the team members and volunteers who are in these positions are excellent and are doing a fantastic job and will continue to do so,” said Mr Webb.

“I cannot thank Nikki for all he has done, the club is very fortunate in having a person like him as its manager.”

Alistair Bayliss will now become chairman and also majority shareholder of the club.

Mr Webb said: “I cannot thank Alistair enough, we have worked really well together and I know he is the right person to take Margate FC forward.

“Finally it comes down to the people who really matter, the supporters.  Please get behind Alistair and Nikki and make this club what it should be and put behind you all the problems of the past.

“I know in my time at the club I was not the favourite person in some quarters, but although not born a Margate FC supporter, I love the club and I do really care about it and for this reason I realise I have  reached my span of effectiveness and recognise that the club now needs new leadership to carry this forward. Alistair is the person for that.

“I will be seen on the terraces at Hartsdown cheering on the club I have become to love.”

Meanwhile, the Vanarama National League South club have appointed Steve Brown as their new assistant manager, working alongside Bull and Paul Barnes.  

The former Charlton Athletic defender, 44, made 242 appearances in his 12 years at The Valley and has previously managed Ebbsfleet United in Conference South and Lewes in the Ryman Premier.

“I am pleased that Steve has agreed to join us until the end of the season,” Bull told www.margate-fc.co.uk.

“We are all aware that this is going to be a long winter so for me to have another pair of hands and eyes in the dugout alongside me and Paul Barnes is important.

Newly-appointed chairman Mr Bayliss added: “I’m absolutely delighted that someone of Steve’s calibre has decided to join us here at Hartsdown Park.

“Although Browny and I go back a good few years, ultimately it was Nikki’s decision to bring him in as he recognised he needed an extra body to turn to in these difficult circumstances.

“In my role, one of the most important things I can do is give the manager as much support as I can so didn’t hesitate in passing on Browny’s details.

“He is a fantastic person to have around the club and a brilliant coach. All I can hope for us the two of them work together in turning the club’s fortunes on the park around.”

Brown, who works for BBC London as a co-commentator at Football League games, added: “The opportunity to join here fits perfectly with my current commitments outside of football.  Having met both Alistair and Nikki several times it was something that I wanted to be part of.

“The work Nikki has done here already is nothing sort of incredible and I am looking forward to assisting him in any way that I can.

“I have been on both sides of the fence but I am looking forward to returning to the coaching side of things and helping this club moving forward. In the meantime I have no desire to return to management and I just want to focus on assisting Nikki and Paul moving forward”.

Brown’s first game at his new club was at East Thurrock United when Margate were defeated 2-0 in their FA Buildbase FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round Replay last night.

Brown added: “When you start a new job you have to assess what you already have I know that what Nikki has assembled is a squad of young, hungry players that want to impress”.

Meanwhile, Margate have announced that long-serving secretary Ken Tomlinson has decided to retire after 35 years of loyal service – a big loss to the club!

Outgoing chairman Mr Webb said: “It’s a really sad day for everyone associated with the club that Ken has decided to leave at this particularly tough time, but I fully understand and emphasise with his reasons for doing so.

“Ken has been a wonderful servant to the club and everybody associated with him and Thirza well for the future. They will both always be welcome at Hartsdown Park and will receive a lifetime president status at the club.” 

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