 Rich (circled) aged 15 watching the Margate v Notts County FA Cup tie in November 1961 |
What is your name ?
Rich Garner.
What is your date and place of birth ?
21 September 1946, Margate.
Where do you live ?
Tadworth, Surrey.
What was the first Margate / Thanet match you ever saw and what can you remember about it ?
It was in the 1950/51 season when I was 4 years old and I sat in the main stand. My grandfather (Jim Ingleton) was an official with the club and my father Albert had recently finished his career after breaking his leg playing for the reserves. I cannot remember anything about the game !
What was the first away game you went to ?
Almost certainly one of the games at Ramsgate. I recall walking there from the BR station many times as a very young lad, but have no idea of dates.
Who is your all-time favourite Margate / Thanet player and why ?
Many favourites and some are Bob Harrop, Freddie Kearns and David Hills (with that cracking left foot shot), but my all-time favourite has to be Jimmy Bonds. I think that this is because of the impression he made on me. He was not the best player, but he always appeared unruffled, so cool and classy and distributed the ball very neatly.
Who would be in your all-time favourite Margate / Thanet X1 ?
1 Peter Peters
2 Bill Parry
3 Terry Joyce
4 Jimmy Bonds
5 Bob Harrop
6 Davie Houston
7 Johnny Roche
8 Albert Foan
9 Freddie Kearns
10 Eddie Clayton
11 David Hills
Of all the Margate / Thanet matches you've seen which is your favourite and why ?
An away game at Cambridge United 19th April 1965, which we drew 3-3. We were 2-0 down at half time and it was tipping it down with rain and snow. In the second half I stood with my two brothers and a friend behind the Cambridge goal getting soaked and we shouted our heads off. We were the only (mad !) people at this end. (I like to think that) our actions seemed to produce a reaction from the players, who responded with a superb fight back. We could easily have won.
What's the best goal you've ever seen a Margate / Thanet player score ?
Without doubt the goal that David Hills scored from near the half way line at Ramsgate, which I think was in the game on 09/10/1962 that we won 4-2. He hit the ball with his usual venom. It bounced near the penalty spot and zipped into the top corner.
What one game in the club's history do you wish you'd seen and why ?
The FA Cup win (3-0) at Bournemouth in 1961, when they were top of Divison 3. I was playing at the time (early KO) and could not go. I just got home in time to watch the TV vidi-printer and announcement by David Coleman, which came up Bournemouth 3 Margate 0 and was totally flabbergasted when the correction came through.
What wonderful history.
What are the top three highlights of your time supporting Margate / Thanet ?
1. The away game at Cambridge United, already mentioned.
2. Winning the Southern League Premier in 2000/01.
3.Following the team through to promotion from the Southern Division in 1998/99.
And what are the three worst things you can remember ?
1. Going out of existence as Thanet United.
2. The state of affairs concerning the ground re-development and home visits to Dover in 2003/04.
3. Losing to Ramsgate (an awful time with class mates at Dane Court who came from Ramsgate).
What's the funniest thing you've witnessed during a Margate / Thanet match ?
Terry Dann's training dance in the warm up - he used to be standing almost on the spot and would do a continuous jump up with first one leg swinging out to the side and then the other and so on. I have never seen anything else like it before or since.
Do you have a favourite piece of Margate FC memorabilia or do you own any unusual items ?
Not really. I have a lot of programmes and newspaper cuttings from the 60's.
If you could re-sign one former player who's still playing elsewhere then who would it be and why ?
Paul Sykes. Every time I saw him he was so positive for the team and had a terrific rapport with the crowd. He deserved a chance to see what he could do in the Conference.
Have you ever seen a full season of competitive matches (ie not missed any) or come close to it ?
No.
How many games would you say you've seen in total ?
About 400. I missed a lot of games from the late 1960's to the mid 1980's, because of my own playing career and never watched a Thanet United game on principle.
What's your current favourite away ground ?
Woking - it was the nearest to me, but this has changed with our demotion.
And which current away ground do you least like ?
Of those that I have been to this season (04/05) - Redbridge.
What's your all-time favourite away ground ?
Woking.
And which ground out of all the ones you've ever been to did you like least ?
Millwall - very unfriendly !
Which Margate / Thanet player that you never saw play do you wish you'd seen ?
Roy Cain (2 appearances). I later formed a regular mid-field partnership with him for a London Sunday League team.
Have you ever played football on the pitch at Hartsdown ?
No, but I played on virtually all the other major Kent grounds !
Which Margate / Thanet kit is your all-time favourite ?
Blue and White - mid sixties.
And which have you liked the least ?
Almost certainly the Thanet United kit.
Added to the site in 2004.