WATT’S CHANGED AT GATE, STEVE?

IT looked to be mission impossible. How do you restore pride and a purpose to Margate, a team who had just lost 19 of their previous 20 league matches and who have hardly a penny to their name?

Steve Watt knew the Everest-sized task ahead of him when he said yes to leaving Ryman South Hastings United at the end of February.

But since Nikki Bull said enough’s enough, things have picked up.

So much so that Watts has managed to claw back four points from two games – including of course the club’s first victory in five months last Saturday, a 2-0 home win over Gosport Borough.

It was in fact in early October against Hemel Hempstead, but the supporters who have suffered after businessman Bob Laslett withdrew his funding can now see the green shoots of recovery.

Margate’s board can, too. Watt and his assistant Steve Brown were given a deal until the end of the season when they joined at the end of February, but in little over two weeks they have both shown enough to earn another year.

On Thursday Margate confirmed the duo have signed contracts until the end of the 2017-18 season and even though it still seems sure that the Kent coast club will almost certainly be back in the Ryman Premier, there’s new-found optimism.

Watt knows the club’s traditions in the NonLeague game give them a chance to rebuild, despite the rapid decline since Laslett departed.

“We’re absolutely delighted,” the Gate manager said. “Whatever division we are in next season, the goal is to build a team that the fans, the club and the town can really be proud of.

“We are looking forward to the challenge of doing that. No matter what level we’re at we are certainly looking to be competitive.

“After all that has been happening I think it’s fair to say that taking four points from two games, defending fantastically well too, is a great achievement. It may only be two games, but it’s a real step in the right direction.”

Margate chairman Alistair Bayliss believes by making the decision on next season now, the club can enjoy some stability.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for everyone and as a club we can really push on now.”