Legendary stopper on the road to recovery

Former Margate goalkeeper Brian Hughes is on the road to recovery after suffering a stroke at Hartsdown Park.

The 73-year-old club legend was taken ill while watching Margate's 3-1 victory over Bognor Regis Town on Saturday 15 November.

Hughes, pictured, was between the sticks for Margate’s famous FA Cup 3-0 away win at Bournemouth & Boscombe in November 1961 and kept 103 clean sheets in 403 appearances for the Ryman Premier club.

Hughes, who kicked off his career at Arsenal and spent eight years at Margate before going on to play for Chatham, Dover and Gravesend & Northfleet, was taken ill during the second half of the victory.

In a statement on their website, delighted officials reported on his condition after visiting their Gillingham-born former player at home this week.

The club said: "Brian continues to recover well. MFC safety officer Peter Cove who spent two hours with the former keeper on Monday afternoon said that Hughes wanted to thank everyone who has wished him well and he hopes to be back at Hartsdown Park in the future.

"Everyone at Margate Football Club would like to wish Brian well and hope to see him back at Hartsdown Park in the near future."

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