Keeper vows to return to dugout

Margate keeper Craig Holloway has told the club’s fans that when he finally hangs up his keepers’ gloves they could see him return to the hot-seat at the Ryman Premier’s Hartsdown Park.

Holloway, 29, stood down as joint manager alongside Simon Osborn earlier this week to concentrate on his playing career after being appointed caretaker manager in January following former manager Chris Kinnear’s departure to Dover Athletic.

In April the former Arsenal keeper and coach, pictured, was appointed permanently alongside Osborn who was assistant to Paul Merson after enjoying a long career in the Football League. As the club considers its future direction, he takes charge on Saturday when ninth placed Margate host Canvey Island.

Margate director Keith Piper paid tribute to the keeper after his announcement and said: "It must have been a very difficult decision to reach, and I fully respect Craig's integrity and honesty for the way he has chosen to inform the club of his decision. Craig will continue to be part of the squad and remains the first-team number one. Simon Osborn will assume Craig's duties and a further announcement will follow regarding the clubs management."

In his message to fans via the club’s website, Holloway, who joined Margate in June 2012 after spells at Bromley, Braintree Town, Chelmsford City, Ebbsfleet United, Welling, Southend United and Farnborough, also thanked them for their support following his decision to put his management career on hold.

He said: "I am at the stage in my career where playing is at the forefront of my mind and I am certain that I will return to management in the future as it is a direction that I am sure I can excel at. But I need to be 100 percent in everything I strive to do and feel that with the added workload it will affect Margate FC, my team-mates and myself.

"I wish to thank all the people here at Margate FC for their support while I have been managing and a special thanks goes out to all the fans on which every Non-League club is built."