Whitstable relish "Seaside Showdown" with Margate - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Whitstable Town chairman Mr Tony Rouse is relishing tomorrow’s FA Cup second qualifying round “seaside showdown” against their Ryman Premier League neighbours Margate, writes Stephen McCartney.

A crowd of over 1,250 is expected at the Belmont, in what Mr Rouse bills as a “showcase for Kent football.”

If you want a typical romantic FA Cup tie, you need to get yourself to Whitstable, a town famous for oysters - and exciting football.

Margate are currently flying high in fourth place in the Ryman Premier League table as they bid for a return to the top-flight of English non-league football.

But Whitstable Town, the Kent League leaders having collected maximum points from their first six games, want to follow in the footsteps of their former Kent League rivals, Cray Wanderers, Ramsgate and Maidstone United - now Ryman League clubs.

Whitstable were on the end of a cup shock themselves last week when they were dumped out of the FA Vase, in the second qualifying round, by Sussex County League minnows Oakwood, who scored the only goal of the game.

Mr Rouse, who is also the club’s press officer - you tend to find Kent League clubs are run by a handful of committed volunteers - has announced match details.

He EXCLUSIVELY told www.kentishfootball.co.uk : “We are not using segregation. We are creating a Margate end to welcome Margate fans as our guests for the day.

“Extra food and beverage facilities will be laid on, temporary standing in place and with the assistance of Margate Football Club their own stewards will be accompanying their fans.”

The “Margate end” will be at the River End of the ground.

Mr Rouse wants both sets of passionate supporters to enjoy the occasion and make it a showcase for Kent football.

He said: “This is a one-off day for Whitstable Town. It’s been 47 years since we’ve played Margate in a competitive fixture, with the exception of the Hirst Electrical Midweek Cup, during which Margate were never a full strength side.

“As far as Whitstable Town Football Club are concerned, we’re looking at a fun day of football to showcase not only Whitstable Town, currently on top of the Kent League, but all that is good about Kent and local football.

“There will be a host of local talent on view from both clubs, which promises to be an exciting game between two teams who both like to get the ball down and play football.”

The Kent League pacesetters are keeping their normal prices for the “Seaside Showdown”; £6 (adults), £3 (concessions) and £1 (under 14’s if accompanied by a fee paying adult).

Mr Rouse calls upon his club’s passionate faithful to raise the roof, adding: “We are anticipating Margate will match our own support of 500.”

With such a big crowd expected, fans are advised to get to The Belmont, in Belmont Road before 2:30pm.

Meanwhile, Whitstable Town are sending out a plea to anyone who has a digital camcorder to bring it to the game.

Mr Rouse added: “It is important that you can put onto disc the recording that you make during the match as we intend to ‘edit all the video’ taken during the game into a match day souvenir.

“You will of course receive your own disc back after the editing plus the club we give you a completed match recording with added extras such as interviews with the managers and players to commemorate the day.

“I have a camcorder that I will not be able to use on the day, (busy with other things) so if anyone would like to use my camcorder please contact me and I will arrange for you to be one of the guys who records the match on the day.”

ww.kentishfootball.co.uk shall bring you manager interviews later and will also be attending the game on Saturday.

Whitstable Town v Margate
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 30^th September 2006
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Belmont, Belmont Road, Whitstable