The Battle Of Britain

London, UK

During the early part of 1969, the blockbuster, "The Battle Of Britain" starring Michael Caine, was filmed in part over the Margate/Ramsgate area. Here's the opening credits and an amusing piece a few minutes in:

Ed. It was amazing to see Heinkel's and Dornier's in the skies above East Kent on the Spring of 1969. I was taken to the cinema later that year at Dreamland, Margate (near to R.A.F. Manston) to see the film. Still have the special R.A.F. Manston history booklet as issued that evening.

Goal Celebration

Margate , UK

Margate FC forward, Rob Haworth celebrates his goal against his former club Carshalton Athletic. Margate went on to win 4-2 and to stake their claim as play-off contenders in the Ryman Premier League.

I've posted this as it's one of the best photos taken by "Margate Don" whose work can be see here.

Margate v Spurs - 35 years on

London, UK

It seems like only yesterday that my father took me to watch Margate play Spurs in front of over 14,000 spectators at Hartsdown Park. The occasion on January 13th, 1973 was Margate's second only venture into the 3rd round proper of the FA Cup.

Dennis Signy's Sunday Express report shows two errors. One was the crowd figure, in the other Margate manager Les Riggs has an extra "B" at the front of his surname! There are more photos and reports of this match at Jeff Trice's excellent Margate FC history site here

Later in 1973, yours truly escaped to north-west London and eventually met up with author, journalist and broadcaster Dennis Signy. At that time, Dennis was editor at the Hendon Times. Nowadays, he's the PR spokesman for Barnet FC and has held a similar position at the Football League

About 6 years ago, I took Dennis to see Margate take on Barnet in the Conference at Hartsdown Park. It was his first time back there since that day in early 1973.










10p for a programme!!

Margate v Ramsgate, Boxing Day 1pm

The local derby everyone's been looking forward to!

Catch me and Steve Wells, live only on the Internet from Hartsdown Park on Boxing Day at 1pm. Go to www.margate-fc.com

Football Memories

London, UK

This day, December 13th, there are two interesting results in the history of Margate Football Club. I mentioned one last month, here about the FA Cup clash with Yeovil in 1967. That 3-1 away victory was a great achievement for Margate who then lost to Peterborough United in Round 2.

A couple of years later, Margate, like many other senior non-league clubs at the time entered a new competition, the FA Trophy. I remember the draw being made for the 3rd Qualifying Round. It was to be either St Neots or Thorneycroft Athletic. This is a bit like Arsenal or Chelsea having to play Brentford or Rochdale in the FA Cup. Expecting an easy away win, I called the "away" results line. I rang back because I couldn't believe the 0-2 result. Margate FC's record since that time has been less than impressive.

The furthest Margate has reached in this competition was the 3rd round proper, when they were defeated by Runcorn (after a replay) in 1979, then to Morecambe in 2002 at the quarter-final stage. This season, Margate lost to Leamington (formerly AP Leamington) 1-0 in a 2nd qualifying round replay.

FA Cup 2nd Round Proper

London, UK

It's the FA Cup 2nd Round Proper this weekend. It's that time of year when the smaller clubs have the opportunity to advance to the 3rd Round and meet one of the "big boys" like Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester United of the Premiership. Some of those smaller clubs are from outside the Football League

The two fixtures that stand out for me are Horsham v Swansea City (playing Friday night) and Staines v Peterborough United. Both Horsham and Staines play in the same league as my club Margate and both play teams that Margate have played previously in the FA Cup. In the 1972/3 season, Margate beat Swansea (then of League Division 3, now League One) 1-0. Four years earlier, Peterborough United beat Margate 4-0 in front of over 7000 spectators at Hartsdown Park.

The last time Margate had the opportunity to reach the 3rd Round was 5 years ago. After beginning their FA Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory over Gravesend & Northfleet (now affectionately known as Ebbsfleet United) in the 4th qualifying round, the 'Gate beat Leyton Orient 1-0 after a 1-1 draw at Brisbane Road. Due to the ground re-development at Margate, the victory over Leyton O. and the ensuing 2nd round clash with Cardiff City were played at Crabble, the home of Dover Athletic

In front of BBC "Match of the Day" cameras, Margate lost 3-0. But hit the woodwork twice.

Bob Harrop - Cremation November 20th

From the Margate FC Official Website

Bob Harrop - Rest in Peace Bob Harrop’s funeral will be held at 1:20pm on Tuesday 20 November at Margate Crematorium. The funeral cortege will be passing Hartsdown Park on the way to the crematorium. All supporters are invited to the ground to pay their respects as the procession passes.

FA CUP "Giantkillers" Yeovil Town

London, UK

Poor old Yeovil. For years they stunned the football pundits by their several shock FA Cup victories over clubs from the Football League. The most famous being the 2-1 defeat of Sunderland in 1949.

But today, as a League club now themselves, they suffered the humiliation of being defeated 4-1 by Blue Square side Torquay United, who lost their League status after 80 years last season.
So the famous "giantkillers" were "giantkilled" themselves. But I do find the term "giantkillers" in relation to Yeovil a tad incongruous. Yeovil is a market town in south-east Somerset with a population of not much more than 40000.

I've never liked the "green slime" from down the A303 - it all goes back to a nasty incident involving their goalkeeper just after the final whistle in a match against my team, Margate FC. It was a Southern League fixture at Hartsdown Park on December 2nd, 1967. Coincidentally, Margate had already drawn Yeovil in the First Round of the FA Cup. The fixture was meant to have taken place at Huish on Saturday, December 9th. Inclement weather and an icy pitch meant that hundreds of Margate fans had to curtail their journey at Paddington Station. But just a few days later, in front of over 6000 fans, Margate dented West country pride by winning 3-1 in the re-arranged tie. A gallant 4 made the journey from Margate.

Former Manchester United Legend dies at 70

Bob Harrop 1936 -2007

Another Margate FC legend passed away. Bob played for Manchester United on 11 occasions after the Munich disaster. Read this from Jeff Trice's excellent Margate FC history site.

A true gent and a legend.

Allez les Blancs!

London,UK

So England take on "les frogs" c'est soir at the Stade de France. I think England will bow out gracefully to the French tonight, who in turn, will be beaten by South Africa in the Final.

In football, England will breeze past Estonia, whilst yours truly will be biting nails at Hitchin, hoping to see the blue & white army progress to the next round of the FA Cup.

Have a great weekend!

BTW, On this day 6 years ago, Margate drew 1 -1 with Doncaster Rovers in the Conference (now called the Blue Square Premier)

Mighty Margate

Whether my non-appearance had an effect or not, I was delighted to see that Robin Trott's Blue & White army has progressed to the next round of the FA Cup. 0-2 and 1-3 down away at Fisher Athletic the boys in blue won 4-3.

The Premiership

It'll be interesting to see what happens to Sam Sodje's Reading FC this season. Will they surprise everybody again or was their first year in the top-flight just a "flash in the pan"?

They will be up against it when the season commences. They are away at Manchester United on August 12th, then face Chelsea at the Madejski the following Wednesday evening.

I'm hoping that Sam can really make an impact this season.

On this Day - June 1st

In the early 1960's, and barely out of my nappies, I was taken by my father to see my first senior football match at Margate FC. It was the final of the Kent Senior Shield. Margate beat Bexleyheath & Welling 1-0.

Three interesting facts about the match.

1. Bexleyheath & Welling FC no longer exists. Their ground was taken over by Welling United.

2. The Kent Senior Shield has been condemned to history.

3. The lateness of the final was due to the fixture backlog caused by one of the the worst winters last century.



Thanks to Jeff Trice's excellent Margate FC history site.

The picture above shows Cyril Jeans ( No. 7 ) turning away after scoring the winning goal.

West Brom at Wembley today

This afternoon West Brom. take on Derby in the Championship play-off with the winners getting the huge prize of a place in next year's Premiership. Lining up for Albion will be Sam Sodje. He's recently moved, on-loan, to the Hawthorns from Reading. Sam, was the first ex-Margate FC player to play in the highest level of the English game since Tommy Jenkins in 1970.

Good luck Sam.

UPDATE

WBA 0 Derby 1

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6689971.stm

West Ham staying up - but for how long?

Iain Dale is right to be happy with his teams recent monumental effort in avoiding relegation from the top flight of English football. But, many of us football purists are unhappy with West Ham escaping a 3-point deduction over the Tevez affair. My views on the matter are made clear over at his West Ham blog.

Now we have to wait and see whether other clubs join Sheffield United in their proposed legal battle with the footballing authorities.

Tangerine Dream ( A question for football anoraks)

Here's a photo from yesterday's action between Margate and Ashford Town (Middx). On the ball is Danny Hockton who's scored 40 for Margate this season. You'll notice that ATFC's predominant colour is tangerine.

What other senior football clubs currently play in tangerine or orange, apart from Dundee United & Blackpool? Tony Kempster has an in-depth knowledge. Perhaps he'll drop me a line. Dave Twydell writes on this subject as well. Being a bit of a football anorak, I really ought to investigate as to whether there's a football anorak site which will be full of interesting facts.

N.B. Don't even think of mentioning Wolves, that's old gold or the old Rugby Town. They used to but went bust in 1973.

Football Update - Margate or Manchester United

Not Man Yoo's easy win over Watford but Margate's attempt to get promotion to the Conference South. Despite our stunning victory over Jeff King's Chelmsford City, Robin Trott's blue army are still in 6th place in the Ryman Premier. Two wins are now required from their last two games but even 6 points may not be enough to guarantee that play-off place.

Picture (from CCFC site) shows Margate's Jay Saunders successfully tackling a Chelmsford striker.

Football Today + Update

Later on, I'm popping down to Margate to take my father and Lord Pay of Dartford to watch Margate's clash with local rivals Ramsgate. It'll be the first time the two sides have met in a league encounter at Hartsdown Park since the 1972/3 season in the old Southern League Premier Division. The game will be watched be around 1500 or so fans at our two-sided stadium whilst we still await it's re-building.
Just 5 years ago, nearly 4000 saw Margate entertain Dover at Hartsdown Park in the Conference and a similar attendance saw Margate hold Shrewsbury Town at Gay Meadow in August, 2003. Ramsgate FC couldn't attract a gate of 4000 in their wildest dreams. Here's the *TFFC footage from that Shrewsbury encounter. Margate played in unfamiliar flame red.

* The Footballers Football Channel

UPDATE

Three vital points for Margate as they beat Ramsgate (who were a bit disappointing) 1-0. Margate now need to win their last three games in order to get into the play-offs. Next up Chelmsford away, next Saturday April 14th.

Peter Wells of "View from the Coffin End " reports on the match here

Isle of Thanet Gazette

I'm reliably informed that yours truly has appeared in this fine organ of East Kent reading. The subject, my trek and the donation of a Margate FC shirt.

"For news around Planet Thanet, get the Isle of Thanet Gazette each Friday"

Steve Claridge

What a game today!

The ultimate example of a game of two halves. First-half, Harrow Borough rubbish, Margate sublime. 3 first-half goals for Robin Trott's blue & white army, 2 by ace striker Danny Hockton.

Sky Sports pundit, Millwall's ex-manager and journeyman striker, *Steve Claridge at 40 years of age, scored the equalizer for Harrow B. on 15 minutes to the delight of their fans. Claridge thought he would be clever by celebrating his goal, a tap in from 1 yard, by pulling off his red shirt and exposing his Marks & Spencer white singlet. He was promptly booked by the efficient referee, 37 year-old, Gavin Muge. Harrow's fans, all 87 of them, barely managed a roar. They were eclectic mix of OAP's, chavettes (showing a bit cleavage), cocky male teenagers, who attempted to goad Margate's fans, and peculiar looking stewards all of whom reguarly turn up to the Earlsmead "Stadium" somewhere in a Middlesex postcode called HA2. The ground reminded me of Ramsgate's ramshackle ruin called Southwood.
The travelling Margate supporters on the other hand, were in ecstatic mood as da 'Gate bulldozed their way through Harrow's limp defence on numerous occasions. If it wasn't for Harrow's goalkeeper, Keiron Jimmy ( who once played for some team called Brook House), hapless Harrow would have been 5 down at the break.

Despite suffering from a vile sore throat, I was in reasonably good mood whilst downing my cuppa and was looking forward to seeing the Margate forwards teach Harrow a footballing lesson. Just after the break, Danny Hockton was put clean through with just the goalkeeper to beat but sadly his well drilled shot scuffed an upright and went out for a goal-kick. Almost immediately, Margate goalie Charlie Mitten seemed to fumble a free-kick and there was Steve Claridge on hand to slide in the rebound. 3-2. No problem one would think. But as the second half went on, Harrow grew in confidence and managed not only to equalize but had the temerity to score what looked like a match-winning fourth. A sickening silence fell about Margate's supporters. Still the 'Gate drummer boy and his young friends were soon back in song and with just a couple of minutes to go, striker Danny Hockton secured a point for Margate from the penalty spot after a Robin Trott header was handled on the line. Final score 4-4.

(Margate drew 4-4 against Northwich Victoria in the Conference some 5 years ago. Charlie Mitten was also at fault for an oppostion goal that day. He fumbled a Jimmy Quinn shot. Margate clawed back from a 4-1 deficit at half-time. History always repeats itself!)


* The last time I saw Claridge, he was playing for Weymouth at Margate's temporary home of Ashford FC in Kent. The Terras won 1-0 that day and I interviewed him for BBC Radio Kent after the match. A former Margate player thought that Steve Claridge was "egg & chips" i.e - ordinary.