THAT’S MUSIC TO OUR EARS!
Margate marching forward
MARGATE’S shirt sponsor isn’t the only rock and roll thing to be happening at Hartsdown Park this season!
Steve Brown and Mike Sandman’s young side are currently sponsored by local band The Libertines and are making a noise themselves as they plot an assault on the Bostik Premier play-off positions.
Former Ebbsfleet boss Brown admits that he is relishing the opportunity of coaching the Kent club – even though his move back into first team management was unexpected.
“I’ll be honest; I didn’t think I would go back into managing but when the owner approached myself and Mike over the summer, we both saw it as an exciting opportunity,” Brown told The NLP.
“There was a big change around in playing personnel before the season started, which is never easy but the new lads are beginning to bed in a bit now and the results are improving.
Guidance
“It has been tough because we have quite a limited budget this season, so we have had to recruit a lot of younger players and sprinkle in a few more experienced individuals, who can maybe offer a bit of guidance to the other lads.”
That is clearly the role of former Reading and Swansea City striker Leroy Lita, who arrived at Hartsdown Park last month following his return to England after a spell playing in Thailand.
“That signing came completely out of the blue really,” Brown added. “We had played a home game and word got down to me that Leroy had been in the stands watching.
“I had never come across him during my playing career but I had a chat with him and he explained that he grew up near Margate and was keen to keep playing football.
“I told him that with our reduced budget we wouldn’t be able to pay him but he wasn’t bothered about the money and just wanted to enjoy playing for a bit, which really shows the kind of character he is.
“Having Leroy around the squad is brilliant for the younger players because you can’t help but pick up tips from the way he plays.
“It is rare that you get the chance to learn from a former Premier League striker so I really hope that the attacking players are making the most of playing with Leroy.”
Recent victo- ries over Enfield Town and Carshalton Athletic placed Margate on the edge of the play-offs before yesterday’s trip to Bognor Regis but while Brown insists that he would love to lead his side to promotion, the former Charlton defender is realistic about his hopes for the season.
Success
“We have got to target the play-offs this year, you can’t be in football if you are not ambitious but at the same time expectations for this campaign must be kept in proportion,” he said. “We have a smaller budget than last season and a pretty inexperienced squad so it is going to be difficult but I am always up for a challenge! The owner has been brilliant with myself and Mark and has not put any pressure on us to achieve instant success.
“The board’s vision is far more long term and involves improving the stadium as well as developing an academy.
“They have been really creative in bringing in money with initiatives like the shirt sponsorship, which has seen shirt sales go through the roof !
“I haven’t seen Pete Doherty in the stands yet but who knows, if we make the play-offs he might come down to cheer us on!”