Friday 29 August 2014

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).

Thursday 28 August 2014

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!


Tuesday 26 August 2014

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.

Friday 22 August 2014

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.

Wednesday 20 August 2014

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.

Tuesday 19 August 2014

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.

Friday 15 August 2014

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.

Wednesday 13 August 2014

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.


Monday 4 August 2014

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.