I was given the nod a few weeks ago to by someone "in the know" that MARGATE FC will absolutely hose up in this division. Talk like unbeaten season etc etc. Well the odds duly went up this week and I admit I have had a hefty bet by my standards on this mob, I know not a name of a single player, doing the business at a miserly 3/1. By close of play on the first day odds were available they have been smashed into 7/4. Now I am not encouraging anyone to go overboard on this but it may be a good one as a banker for your season long accas! I will update this as season progresses.
ok Stick what are your predictions for the Prem, championship and leagues 1 & 2. I'm going to have a small acc on Chelsea, Fulham Shef Utd and Burton
Stick, I wish you well with Margate and I hope your bet wins. But - and you know I trail negativity like a great black cloud - this sort of scenario has cropped up a number of times in the past twenty years or so. The one I remember most clearly was Hornchurch, who were briefly funded by an 'investment company' called Carthium in 2004/5-ish until the firm pulled out mid-season, the players didn't get paid and the whole thing pretty much ended in tears. The situation at Darlington in the late 1990's with George Reynolds was a bit different, but with a similar ending. George put a lot of money in, built a ridiculously large stadium (called, if I remember rightly, The George Reynolds Stadium), Darlington briefly got some good players in, but didn't win anything, and I think George went back into the nick for tax evasion. Jeff King at Canvey was different again, because he managed the club himself and the money he put in was legit.(caravans and mobile homes, I seem to recall)). They did have some short-term success, including a notable FA Cup run. Grays Athletic had a short-lived boom under a wealthy new owner, too, but the common denominator with all these stories is that, apart from Canvey, none of them ever banked a serious league title and, where betting markets existed for their leagues, they were all very well backed (especially Hornchurch, whom I remember with particular bitterness !) You'll also notice that a lot of these examples are in Essex. Far be it from me to suggest that TOWIE exemplifies dodgy geezers with dodgy money who like to cut it large with provincial football clubs (note my effortless mastery of the vernacular here), but you might want to investigate the basics of Margate's finances before you commit a lot of money - although, obviously, I know you can spare it. I'm speaking from memory now, but you might also want to look at a website/blog called, I think "Joined at the Hip in Essex" run by a bloke called Ian King, whom I don't know. If Tracey Emin turns out to be the new chairman, would that influence your thinking ?
Love Rainer, makes me look like the "eternal optimist". Margate beat Conference Premier side BARNET away this evening 2-1. Only a friendly I know but a very positive result. Looking forward to the season proper starting!
Margate welcome Hampton & Richmond to Hartsdown Park as they kick off their Ryman League Premier Division campaign. Kick off at 3pm.
Despite dominating for long periods of the Margate only managed a 1-0 victory. Its three points though so happy to start in the right vein. Cheers Ron (who cares)
Might have a better handle on their chance after tonight, Stick. They're away at Grays, and the form to date suggests that Grays aren't particularly good (see below). Margate and Grays were much the same sort of side last year (final table Marg. 64 points, Grays 61) so if Margate have really beefed up this year I'd expect them to win, and certainly not to lose. Good luck. Grays have lost to Billericay, who lost yesterday to Leiston. Leiston also won on Saturday at Wingate, who yesterday stuffed Hampton 4-1. Early-season hypothesis: Leiston probably useful, Hampton probably not. This is all much more interesting than that bloated, boring, overpaid premiership stuff.
Grays 0 - 2 Margate 6 points and zero goals against. Good start to the season and looks, even at this early stage, that we will get a good run for our money.
Harrow Borough 1 - 2 Margate A touch fortunate with a deflected winner but who cares. 3 games 9 points! Next up on Tuesday is a home tie with East Thurrock United who have also enjoyed a good start to the season with 7 points from their opening 3 matches.
Margate 3 - 1 East Thurrock United 4 games 12 points, second on goal difference to Maidstone. Next up Billericay Town at home on Saturday.
We're top of the league, we're top of the league! A 5-1 home win over Billericay takes the Gate top! Away to LEWES on Monday!
Lewes 1 - 5 Margate and the Gate go clear at the top of the table as the second and third teams both lost. Next up Leiston at home!
Yep, last minute defeat having led at half-time. Dulwich are one of the better sides in the Division and they were never going to go a whole season unbeaten.
Top of the table clash on Tuesday night with Margate hosting Maidstone. Maidstone are five points ahead of the Gate having played a game more. Its a real humdinger and one our boys simply must win!