Hand, Russell and Wabo new at Margate

Margate have announced a number of new arrivals, and we're going to cover them a few at a time to avoid presenting a seaside war and peace!

First in was Ralfi Hand, who comes in from Cray Wanderers. He joined Wands in October, and played nineteen times. He moved to Flamingo Park from Chatham Town, joining the Chats last summer, but playing only once. 

He moved to Kent from Dulwich Hamlet. He made twenty four Hamlet appearances during the 24-25 season, and scored four goals. 

The creative midfielder signed on with Charlton Athletic as a scholar aged sixteen, and quickly became an important part of a title winning Under 18 side at the Valley. He then graduated to the Under 21 setup, and signed his first professional contract in November 2023. 

Prior to his time at Charlton he was a schoolboy with Gillingham, and he also spent some time as part of the first team setup at SCEFL side Glebe during the 21-22 campaign. He also played for Corinthian-Casuals at youth level. 

Keeper Jacob Russell came through the Crystal Palace youth system, playing Under 18 and Under 23 football before joining Ramsgate, at first on loan and then later, permanently. He was an ever-present for Ramsgate during the 21-22 campaign, making forty five appearances, before moving on to Ashford United.

He made twenty nine appearances during 22-23 at the Nuts and Bolts, twenty one the following season, and then moved on to Faversham Town, playing forty three times as they won SCEFL promotion. He made another sixteen appearances last season.

Norman Wabo, a forward, came through the youth ranks at Southend United and has spent a number of spells with Isthmian clubs, including Cambridge City, Cheshunt, Margate, Bowers and Pitsea and Potters Bar Town, and has also played at a higher level with Ebbsfleet United, Maidstone United, Braintree Town, Dartford, Concord Rangers, Billericay Town, Eastbourne Borough and Weymouth. He came back our way during 23-24 with Hayes and Yeading United, and then moved on to play for Maldon and Tiptree and then, during 24-25, Sittingbourne and then Redbridge. He was a big hit with the latter, scoring ten goals in twenty two appearances, and last season made another seventeen appearances, scoring twice, before a move to Bowers and Pitsea. He scored three goals in sixteen appearances at the Len Salmon.

More here.