*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Doug Bing
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Appearances: 79 Goals: 7
Date / Year of birth: 27th October 1928
Position: Midfielder
Season of first appearance: 1950/51
Season of last appearance: 1956/57
Also played for: West Ham United (33,3)
Talented blonde-haired player born in Broadstairs who had two spells with Margate, initially joining the club from amateur side St.Peters Old Boys in the summer of 1950. He was the older brother of Tommy Bing.
Doug made his first team debut as Margate beat Gravesend & Northfleet 3-0 in a Kent Senior Shield tie at Hartsdown Park on 21.9.50. He then became a fixture in the side.
In January 1951 after making just 14 first team appearances, during which he scored four goals, Doug was signed by West Ham for £1,250 - a club record fee at the time although West Ham's records list the fee as being £1,000. At the time Margate manager Almer Hall described him as "an uncut diamond, who just needs a little polishing" and in October 1950 Almer had given Doug a pair of his old boots that had been specially made for him during his West Ham days.
Doug made his first team debut for the Hammers in a 1-1 draw at Hull in the Second Division on 1.9.51 and went on to stay with the club for over four years, making 33 senior appearances and scoring three times. He and George Wright (also ex-Margate) were known as 'the Margate blondes' by the national press whilst at Upton Park.
In July 1955 Doug returned to Hartsdown Park and despite struggling with injuries he made 39 appearances, scoring once, during the 1955/56 season. On 19.11.55 he was in the Margate side that drew 2-2 with Walsall at Hartsdown Park in the FA Cup 1st Round and Doug also played in the replay at Walsall on 24.11.55 that the home side won 6-1.
He was made captain for the 1956/57 campaign but once again he was beset with injuries. An ankle problem in the early part of the season left Doug on the sidelines for a lengthy spell and then on 4.4.57 he severely damaged his groin in a match against Ramsgate and missed the club's remaining games. In total Doug made 26 appearances and scored twice during the campaign.
The groin injury was so severe that Doug missed the whole of the 1957/58 season although he was still able to play cricket. As if that wasn't bad enough, Doug also had to have all his teeth removed early in 1958 and then had his tonsils taken out.
During the summer of 1958 hopes were high that he would be able to make a comeback for the 1958/59 season and Doug returned to training after a course of specialist treatment in London. However he broke down in agony and in January 1959 Doug was ordered to hang up his boots and give up all sport by his doctor, 21 months had passed since he suffered the injury.
In later years Doug was involved with the Westgate Sports youth football club.
Whilst with Margate, and after he retired from playing, he worked at Hornby Hobbies as a setter.
Doug lived close to Hartsdown Park for the rest of his life before dying on 5.2.13 aged 84.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
KSC |
KLC |
KSS |
|
|
1950/51 (MFC) |
14 (41) |
N/A |
4 |
KENT LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (6TH OF 17) |
EPR |
1R |
2R |
RU |
|
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
KSC |
KLC |
KSS |
|
|
1955/56 (MFC) |
39 (45) |
N/A |
1 |
KENT LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (2ND OF 17) |
1R |
1R |
RU |
1R |
|
Played in FA Cup
1st Round (19.11.55 - drew 2-2 with Walsall at
home). Played in FA Cup 1st Round replay (24.11.55 - lost 6-1 at Walsall). Played in Kent League Cup Final (10.05.56 - lost 2-1 to Gillingham Reserves). | |||||||||
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
KSC |
KLC |
KSS |
|
|
1956/57 (MFC) |
26 (47) |
N/A |
2 |
KENT LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (8TH OF 17) |
2R |
1R |
SF |
SF |
|