Margate Supporters Club in search of more members

Many of you will be aware that the membership of the MSC committee has undergone change since the start of the season. Currently we are short in numbers and at times, when personal circumstances intervene, thin on the ground. 

Nevertheless we are endeavouring to do all that is expected of us and will continue to do so. However, isn't there always a however?!, new blood would be very welcome particularly from younger members. (I deliberately avoid a definition of ‘younger’!). 

Should anyone have even the tiniest flicker of interest please contact the secretary, Keith Lewis, by email (keith.lewis2008@talktalk.net) or telephone (01843 226963) for an informal chat. 

There is absolutely no obligation attached. It is well-known that the membership has doubled from last year and we wish to ensure that the supporters’ association flourishes and moves forward in tandem with the club. Please give it your consideration.

Follow the Blues at Hampton for just £10

There is a coach running to Hampton and Richmond this Saturday November 22^nd. The cost is £10 per seat tremendous value considering the return mileage. The leaving time from Hartsdown will be 11.15. 

To book a place please contact Ted Pittman on 07831 407927 or use the MSC facebook page. For those of you with concerns following the trip two weeks ago to VCD action has been taken. Ted will give you the full details or ring Keith Lewis on 01843 226963.

Let’s make this another good day out supporting the team and helping them to keep daylight between Margate and Maidstone. Who knows it may be another 3 – 1!

Follow the Blues away at VCD for just £5

MSC have arranged for a coach to the match at VCD next Saturday the 8th November. The price for a seat is just £5. To book go to the MSC facebook page or visit the hut on match day i.e .the game versus Slough on Nov.1^st. 

Failing that give Keith Lewis a phone call on 01843 226963. Let’s try and fill the coach and provide maximum support to the team. Up the Gate.

See the Blues face the Greens for just £5

After a blank Saturday there must be many out there suffering withdrawal symptoms! So why not join the merry band who are travelling to Earlsmead on Saturday to watch the mouthwatering clash between second and third. 

There are still places available on the coach and on this occasion the seat price for MSC members is ONLY £5. How can you refuse such a bargain! Let’s swell the number of Gate fans so that the Hendon support is drowned by our enthusiastic cheering, 

For details of how to book check out the MargateSupportersClub facebook link. Look forward to seeing you there.

Book your seat to Bury Town with MSC

Would you like to support Margate this Saturday at Bury St. Edmunds? There are still places available on the coach travelling up to Suffolk at the extremely good value of £10. 

For further details visit the Margate Supporters Club Facebook page or book via travelwithmsc@gmail.com.

Good away support is vital in helping the players to continue this excellent start to the league season. 

You won’t be disappointed if you go.

Supporters Club ready for Cup Magic

After the extraordinary evening last Tuesday it might be easy to dismiss this Saturday as ‘after the Lord Mayor’s Show’ but that would be wrong. The same enthusiasm shown in backing the players to a fantastic win needs to be repeated to ensure the F.A.Cup adventure continues. Let’s be heard chanting and singing loudly.

MSC now has its own HQ on match days this being situated next to the Security Office which in turn is near the catering facility. Here you can join the supporters’ association, collect your membership card, book away coach travel, find out about events and buy 50:50 tickets if you haven’t done so earlier. Or just stop for a chat with a committee member. We look forward to meeting you.

Blues fans urged to make noise against Maidstone

This evening is undoubtedly the clash of the season to date. Maidstone are likely to bring with them a large following no doubt intending to turn Hartsdown into a replica of the Gallagher Stadium – without the all-weather pitch of course! It’s up to us, the Margate fans, to ensure that doesn’t happen. 

Let’s make the noise for the boys in blue deafening so everyone is acutely aware who the home side is. Enjoy the game and let’s make it a night to remember for all the right reasons.

Time to Create a 12th Man Atmosphere

The number of fans who travelled to Folkestone on Saturday was impressive with the vocal support given suggesting Margate were the home team! Some of those attending may have been disappointed that we didn’t come away with a win but that’s football.

What would be good is for everyone to put the disappointment behind them and turn up in good voice on Tuesday evening and cheer the team to victory. Let’s help to make it as difficult as possible for the visitors by creating that ‘twelfth man’ atmosphere.

Supporters light up the way to Hartsdown Park.

On behalf of supporters who walk to the ground via the park we have been in conversation with Thanet Council on the subject of the path that runs alongside the ground between Hartsdown Rd and Tivoli Park Avenue with 7 of 8 lighting columns not working thus rendering it unpleasant to transit in the darker months.

They have reacted well and a contractor was appointed and, as seen last Tuesday evening, has managed to remedy the situation whereby now 7 of the 8 lights are fully operational with the remaining one to be repaired with replacement equipment soon.

As the leaves fall from the trees along that route it should be even brighter particularly for evening games thereby safer for all concerned.

MSC Programme Notes v Witham Town

The Dripping Pan was a suitably named venue for the wettest August Bank Holiday in living memory, a day so foul that the brand spanking new all-weather G3 pitch installed at Whyteleafe drowned under the weight of water! Don’t ask! Of course the Gate fans who travelled to Sussex, hopeful that the 100% record would be retained, accepted the soaking in remarkably good spirits as earlier in the day many were anticipating spending their afternoon wasting hard-earned cash on overpriced goods on offer at Clacket Lane! Don’t ask! 

For those waiting for news of the excellent victory via whichever technological masterpiece was at their disposal they most likely wished they had gone as their alternative day was probably washed out. Hands up on that one with personal, selfish regret that the fixture hadn’t been arranged for later in the season. No not because of missing the incomparable Harveys drawn from the hand pumps in the bar but because a distant memory needed to be addressed. I refer to a Tuesday evening during the one forgettable season in the Conference South the league fixture being Bill Edward’s 400th start for the club. 

The match was full of unusual incidents, talking points for sure, far too many to expand on here. Suffice to say a quiet return journey following the 7 – 3 drubbing. Revenge is not a word to use in football; payback is preferable. Thus those who watched us beat the Rooks at their home for the first time in a competitive match hopefully wore a self-contented smile on my behalf!

We reached the end of the first month of the season facing a variety of vexing questions. Would we complete August having won all seven fixtures? Or at least unbeaten? Still top of the league? The programme notes, perhaps unwisely, Ed?, spelled out the records within grasp. Indeed everyone was aware that we had had the best start of all teams the length and breadth of the country apart from that pub team that plays in the Frinton Sunday League Division Four! The gathering set back to await the latest foe being put to the sword. Maybe not, there is a hardcore of realism populating the terraces, they know the score I’m pleased to say. 

Straying from the plot the floodgates were effectively sealed by a resolute defence and inspired custodian. Full marks to Leiston for a well-thought out game plan and to the home players who may have felt it wasn’t to be their day but set about challenging that point resulting in a 90^th minute reward. Despite the passing and movement being less sharp, something easily corrected to be sure, the match was exciting enough and that’s what we want for our shilling. Unbeaten it is then as we headed into September with an appointment in ‘sarf’ London.

Those who find the time to glance at the MSC web page and Facebook site will probably have picked up on the strongly worded statements about the conditions attached to travelling by coach to away games. No-one likes being a killjoy, for that is indeed what it feels like, but there really are serious consequences for failing to comply with the regulations. (Not expressed again, please check on the internet sites). 

The MSC committee has pondered at length to make coach travel a reality again after many years of not being able to do so our desire being to help as many fans as possible attend away matches. Let’s make sure it works successfully. Don’t forget anyone not yet in possession of their membership card may collect it at the hut inside the ground on match days prior to kick-off.

I’m not sure if tonight’s visitors from Witham have played at Hartsdown before. They are very welcome so let’s make them feel at home everywhere but on the pitch! Enjoy the game.

MSC UPDATE: No Coach To Folkestone

After discussing with the regular coach travellers on Saturday it has been decided not to run a coach to Folkestone for the F.A.Cup tie. Anyone wishing to go and is looking for a lift please ask at the MSC hut on Tuesday Sept.9th, the Witham match, and we shall do our best to help.

Due to lack of numbers the planned social event at Sittingbourne dogs has been cancelled. However we are trying again the new date being November 30^th. For full details of this and other events please refer to the MSC Facebook site.

Once again there will be a Christmas Draw. As always to make this a success we rely very much on the generosity of MFC fans who have kindly donated prizes in the past. A continuation would be very much appreciated.

Don’t forget the football club has organised a free bus service to and from the ground on match days starting from Cecil Square. Timetable details will be posted here in due course.

Margate Supporters Club Statement Regarding Away Travel

MSC are pleased that they have been able to reintroduce coach travel to away matches for supporters after many seasons without. The response has been heartening which in turn has led to favourable seat prices (see earlier posts).

However the hiring of coaches comes with conditions. At a meeting between the owner of Bayliss Executive Travel and MSC it was spelled out clearly what the implications of alcohol being consumed on a coach would be not least that the service being provided would be jeopardized when in its infancy.

The ‘no alcohol’ rule is not one laid down by the coach company nor MSC but a directive from the police. The departure times to matches are designed to ensure fans are at the opponents’ grounds in good time to enjoy the hospitality on offer.

MSC implore supporters to abide by this rule to ensure it is a fun day out for all concerned. If anyone has any thoughts on this issue please contact MSC secretary Keith Lewis via email (keith.lewis2008@talktalk.net).

Enjoy a night at the dogs with Margate Supporters Club

Here are the details relating to the evening at the greyhound racing at Sittingbourne. It will be on Sunday 28th September. The coach will leave at 4 pm from HDP via Birchington Square.

First race is just after 6 pm with the finish approx 9.30pm. The ticket will include travel, entry to the track, race card and 2 course meal of starter followed by a roast. Price per person £26.00 and you can book at our booth at HDP this Saturday with a minimum of £11 followed by the balance at our home game on the 20th or pay the whole lot on either date but please book your places asap. 

If you are unable to attend to book in person on Saturday please email takepartwithmsc@gmail.com and we will confirm your place(s) by return.

With regards to the away travel as mentioned previously not only is it imperative that we attract good numbers to the coach it is equally important that those who say they will be going actually do so! People dropping out late who haven’t paid seriously affects the viability and our determination to make the cost as low as is possible.

I’m sure you all agree. I trust I shan’t need to repeat this information again!

Margate Supporters Club Programme Notes v Billericay Town

No-one said it would be easy. No-one believed opponents would roll over, curl up and watch benevolently as we bulged their net at regular intervals. No-one thought for one moment that it would be continually pretty our preferred inter passing constant movement style mesmerizing our foes into awe-inspiring submission. Far from it because if you know the Isthmian (Ryman) League as well as MFC do, although maybe nowhere near as well as Hendon do, you know the score. Therefore, as the unbreached back line of East Thurrock prepares to shut up shop for the first time away from home last Tuesday, we should strike a note of satisfaction at achieving nine points out of the first nine; you can’t better that return whatever the circumstances. 

At Mill Field, in the downsized clubhouse that Aveley allowed, the bright orange permeated the hues of blue worn by both sets of supporters; it could be the future! Our record against Grays had been second to none being reminded that we had never beaten them since World War Two! The victory owed as much to grit and determination than silky skills; if the latter was intended – it was – the state of the pitch ensured it wouldn’t happen affecting ‘The Blues’ as well as ‘The Gate’. Sad to see the poor condition of the playing surface so early in the season; expect similar elsewhere! Those who attended Earlsmead for the third ‘tricky one’ on the trot (aren’t they all?) probably saw much of the same. But as at Tuesday morning we remained unscathed so let’s rejoice at that.

Good news for those, and there are many, who enjoy a flutter on the 50:50 raffle (if that’s what it is). It’s back! Depending on the printers’ speed of production they may have been on sale on Tuesday but if not, unless there has been an unmitigated disaster, today sees the relaunch. Good luck to all participants. Winning ticket numbers will be announced at half-time with the results also posted at the MSC hut. 

Another development is the new MSC web page to be found on the main MFC site home page; just follow the link. Here you will find all the latest news about MSC including travel and social events. More in depth information about both travel and social events may be found at www.facebook.com/MargateSupportersClub. There you will find details of how to book seats on the coach and tickets for events once they are organized. 

We are trying to encourage more youngsters to follow the club away by offering a special deal for the trip to Hornchurch in September for those aged between 14 and 18 years; let’s hope a lot of interest is shown. As to social get-togethers in the pipeline we have dog-racing at Sittingbourne (September), ten-pin bowling at Bugsy’s (October), a quiz (November) and the annual Christmas Draw (December). If any member has an idea about different ways of pulling fans together, other than at matches of course, please let me, Keith Lewis, know at keith.lewis2008@talktalk.net. 

Membership is close to three figures and may have passed that magical target by now. Anyone who has joined in these first few hectic weeks of the season and has yet to receive their membership card may do so at the MSC hut before kick-off. Membership forms can also be found there.

I remember, just, in my playing days how much I hated missing the odd game for whatever reason. I can’t imagine what I would have felt like if an entire season had been lost. I am sure all supporters will join MSC in wishing Mitchell Nelson well in his long battle to overcome the terrible injury he has suffered. We look forward to seeing him back in action again when fully fit.

Now into the fifth game and for supporters it feels like we’re back in the groove; maybe the team as well! Ours is the easier of the two! Success boosts the confidence levels and that in turn leads to more success. Success can be gained with the assistance of positive crowd backing. Enough said. 

Enjoy the game.

Travel to Lewes for just £10

MSC are pleased to announce that the cost of a seat on the coach to Lewes has been reduced to £10. 

Supporters who have already paid the previous higher charge will be entitled to a refund on the day. As at Wednesday evening there were a number of places still available. 

To check if this remains so please look at the MSC Facebook site facebook.com/MargateSupportersClub.

The MSC committee will continue to review our pricing policy to provide the best deal for our members.

Margate Supporters Club Programme Notes v East Thurrock United

For seventy-six minutes the smug smiles were gradually widening on the faces of the vulture-like scribes, circling, with pencil points sharper than Brutus’s dagger, intent on writing a premature obituary. How they wanted those they saw as ‘the mighty’ to fall and the opening day of the season would be the perfect setting. 

But it only needed one moment of magic to ensure that the contemptuous writers went away empty handed the headlines actually panning out as all Gate fans would have wished. This is the way it will be for forty-five further occasions. No longer can we expect on our travels to hear, should we lose, ‘bad luck, mate’ but rather something more animated, something unprintable here. 

For the club winning the first competitive game would have been a massive relief, a settling of nerves and a confirmation that the chosen style of play will be rewarded. By now we will know if the approach, which thrilled the onlookers, has been successful on the road, two trips up country having been negotiated. Let’s hope so. 

Summer ensured the fans, ten days previous, were bathed in brilliant sunlight ‘hurricane’ Bertha being kept at bay for twenty-four hours. A good turnout bodes well. Although well short of the highest figure in the Ryman Leagues – Maidstone were odds-on to claim that honour – the 727 exceeded all the gates in the Vanarama Conference South. Wouldn’t it be an achievement to reach four figures? Margate, in a recent assessment in a Sunday newspaper, came fourth, out of ten, of the places ‘to be seen’. It struck me that they missed out from the article the obvious, that is narrowing the actual part of the town to Hartsdown Park! Surely I’m right?!

The supporters of Salisbury face an uncertain future currently ‘weightless’, floating in space with a faint possibility of landfall in the Wessex league. The saga has been a complex one to follow and is not yet at an end. Whether the club’s fans have a firm understanding of the goings-on is questionable given that the ownership, as decided by the courts, seems to change on a weekly basis! One thing is for sure if anyone still harbours the belief that football clubs ‘really’ belong to the people think again.

There are numerous areas which exemplify the wind of change that has swept through the club and continues to do so; the transformation no doubt far from over. You would have to visit Hartsdown with your eyes shut not to notice. It seems the supporters club has been caught up in this revolution with the membership at least 50% up on this time last year. Realistically some of the newcomers have joined to gain the benefit associated with the coach travel to away matches. 

As I write it is pleasing to note that the 28 seats will have almost certainly have been filled for the journey to Harrow. If you wish to know more about the arrangements speak to one of the committee members to be found in the hut opposite the turnstiles. There may well be places still up for grabs for the Bank Holiday game at Lewes so why not book a place today or, if you haven’t already, sign up to become a member of MSC. Details of other social events are being finalised and will be released in due course.   

The first home evening fixture will see how big a dent is made in the Saturday attendance. Inevitably and unfortunately there tends to be a drop in midweek but hopefully not in the number of the noisy brigade! Let’s hear that vocal appreciation of the team. Enjoy the game.

Special Offer for AFC Hornchurch travel and a trip to Sittingbourne Races

The web page is in its infancy so perhaps I may be forgiven for making an error in the second posting!

To find out more about coach travel to away matches and social events planned or being planned please visit the MSC Facebook site. (www.facebook.com/MargateSupportersClub)

There you can check out details of the special offer to youngsters for the trip to Hornchurch and the greyhound-racing evening at Sittingbourne.

Many thanks to all who made the journey to Harrow the coach being filled. The MSC committee will now be looking at providing a coach with a bigger capacity for future Saturday matches.

The re-launch of the 50:50 raffle should take place on Tuesday August 19th, the East Thurrock match.

Should there be a last minute hitch then it will be the following Saturday when Billericay are the visitors.

Away Travel Update and New Committee Member joins

For the latest away travel information visit travelwithmsc@gmail.com. There may well be, at this late stage, a couple of seats available for the Harrow match. Bookings are now being taken for the Lewes game on Bank Holiday Monday. Finally check out a special offer for youngsters for the trip to Hornchurch in early September.

MSC are delighted that Martin Black has accepted our invitation to join the committee.

Welcome to the new MSC Website

Welcome to the Margate Supporters Club web-site. Posted here will be the up to date news about all things to do with MSC including, in due course, details of travel and social events.

To kick-off the committee, as elected at the final AGM of MISA in June, is as follows.

President – Tom McKenna

Vice-president – Alan Bonner

Secretary/Treasurer – Keith Lewis

Committee members (seven)

Poppy Cooper

Julie Gibbs

Harvey Lockwood

David Miles

Ted Pittman

Graeme Poyser

Rick Simmons

Should you require any information about MSC, including details of how to join, please email the secretary (keith.lewis2008@talktalk.net). One or more committee members may be found on match days in the hut opposite the Hartsdown Rd. turnstiles.

New Margate Supporters Club Website Launches

Margate Supporters Club is delighted to announce the launch of its new official website.

This page will provide fans all the latest news of away travel, upcoming MSC Events.

For further information about this site please contact Keith Lewis via e-mail at keith.lewis2008@talktalk.net

And, remember to keep checking back for all the latest news regarding MSC.