Blow for Margate as Kinnear quits

By Peter Butcher

RYMAN Premier promotion-chasers Margate have suffered a major blow with the departure of experienced manager Chris Kinnear, who has taken over at Conference South side Dover.

The highly-respected Kinnear began his second spell at Hartsdown Park in April 2011. His side finished 15th last season but began the current campaign among the promotion favourites and are in third place.

Dover occupy the same position in their league despite losing their last five games. They placed their boss Nicky Forster on 'gardening leave' yesterday (Friday) and quickly named Kinnear as his replacement. He had a ten-year spell at Dover from 1985, leading them from the bottom of the Southern League to the Conference.

He also took Margate to the Conference during his first reign there.

Margate's chief executive Cliff Egan said in a statement on margate-fc.com: "Chris has done a great job here and the board would like to thank him for all his hard work.

"At the moment, we are unable to compete with the resources that Dover can offer their manager.

"Chris spent last night thinking about the offer on the table. He came to the conclusion that it would be a great opportunity to test himself at a higher level.

"I know he loves Margate and it wasn’t an easy decision for him, but I understand why he has made it. He leaves the club with our best wishes."

Kinnear's assisant manager, Jake Leberl, is also moving to Dover

Where next?

Gates go up again RYMAN League attendance figures are showing an overall increase for the fourth successive season.
Frost and snow wreck Saturday programme ALL but eight of tomorrow's fixtures have already been postponed because of frozen or snowbound pitches, including the entire Ryman Premier programme.

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