Our focus is to build a team to get promotion, says Margate chairman Bob Laslett
Tuesday 03rd June 2014
MARGATE chairman Bob Laslett says it’s costing him plenty of money to bring the glory days back to Hartsdown Park.The club finished last season in eleventh-place in the Ryman Premier League table with 64 points from 46 games.
Margate are expected to enjoy a successful campaign with Mr Laslett’s spending power and with former AFC Wimbledon manager in charge of the side for his first full season.
Mr Laslett, who issued a statement on the club’s website www.margate-fc.co.uk, outlined his ambitious plans for the Thanet based club.
He said: “I think it is worth reiterating that since I took over at the beginning of this year our focus at the club has been, and still is, to build a team to get promotion and this is what we have/are doing, this is top priority.
“However in parallel with this we are continuing to make changes at Hartsdown Park to support our push for promotion and to improve the facilities for our fans.
“Work continues on the pitch, new floodlights will be installed in July, new fencing has been installed, additional temporary stands are on order, improvements to the reception, offices, bars, boardroom, function room, kitchen, lounges (to include a new matchball sponsors lounge) and toilets are all on-going.
“We are doing as much as we can during the summer break but we are dependent on suppliers being able to deliver during what is a hectic time for most businesses, also we are busy at the club with new player recruitment, organising pre-season friendlies and our away trip to Dublin so inevitably some of our interim improvements programme may well still be continuing after the summer break.
“Also in parallel with all the above we are re-looking at the development of Hartsdown as a whole.
“The previous planning application/approval was only for part of the ground not the whole site and specifically did not include the most important part of the ground i.e. the frontage onto Hartsdown Road or our Shop Window as I like to call it.
“This is presently a wall! I can assure you that behind the wall a lot is happening – which is costing plenty!
“We are all working hard to make Margate Football Club successful, with the recruitment of a top team to ensure the coming season is both exciting and successful.”
Visit Margate’s website: www.margate-fc.co.uk