Experienced hand on commercial tiller

Former Wolves, Birmingham City, Wycombe Wanderers, Leyton Orient and Watford commercial manager Chris Pope is bringing his vast experience to the Ryman Premier at Margate.

The 35-year-old, pictured on the pitch at Hartsdown Park, has been tasked with maintaining the club's excellent relationship with existing sponsors and to seek further sponsorship opportunities in Kent and further afield.

Pope was most recently at Championship Watford and Margate chairman Bob Laslett is thrilled that he's agreed to join his team's mission to transform the promotion-chasers.

Laslett said: "I have known Chris for a long time since we first met at Wolves. He is fantastic at his job and he will help us push on and find new sponsors but will also make sure we look after our current ones.

"To get Chris on board is massive coup for this club. He has experience in the Premier League and Football League so he certainly knows and understands the importance of a commercial manager to any club."

Pope is excited by the challenge ahead after joining the Blues and said: "After meeting the chairman he sold me the vision of where he wants to take this club. He is an ambitious man and this is a unique opportunity for myself and Margate Football Club."

He added: "This will be a challenge, but one that I am extremely excited about and I can’t wait to get stuck in to."