Club announcement on www.margate-fc.com

[Pagey]

Impressed with the retained list, its a good squad to build upon

[BlueGate Alan]

Thanks Pagey, I think same too.

[geoff pay]

Is not Louis on a three year contract.

[I am Spartacus]

I think it was only a 2 year contract Geoff. However, I think it is wise at this point in time to assess his fitness and recovery from his injury. I think we can all take some confidence in the fact that he seemed to be taking an active part in the last 2 games.

[buzzgate]

All good stuff, I reckon Loius just needs to prove himself as with Wheatley, Lewis, Haverson and Young we have good cover at centre-back. But Im sure he will to make it even better.

[BlueGate Alan]

Dont forget Louis can play full back too.

[michael]

Jeff T posts these as the players released :

 

'Think that means the released players are Bailey, Coleman, Gregory, Mullin and Ohakam with a question mark over Louis Smith.'

 

which i also think is correct-albeit i was also wondering whether Tom Hickman has been released-or is now very much part of the reserve/youth /coaching scheme.

 

Having been on loan, i think Tom gets a bit forgotten.

I'm not aware of him being previously released and thought he was simply on loan at faversham

_________________________

 

[BlueGate Alan]

Good to see young Joe Taylor getting a contract too, I think he will be an asset to the team with his strength. Another one I have watched rising from the ranks of the Reserves.

[Coffin Ender]

Out of the 15 players listed, five can play at centre-half. Assuming Young and Lewis definitely play regularly, Haverson and Wheatley on bench. Robinson can play full back, as can Morris, Corbishley, Lacy, Peters(!) Be hard for Smith to force his way back in.

 

 

 

[michael]

I just think this is very exciting.

 

Add a goalie and a striker-and we are ready to go already.

 

Still a young and improving squad, but assuming we retain premiership status-enough lessons learnt from last year to be a mid table side-which frankly -would be good enough for me next season;as the infrastructure is not there yet for conf south-so to get to the play-offs may cause more harm than good.

 

Just got to get that premiership status first-and then beat HRMC

[Jake]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Lewis_(footballer)

[Chris1]

Local press take on this news is as follows:

 

"LOCAL lads Pat Mullin and Louis Smith are the biggest casualties after Margate revealed their retained list this afternoon.

 

Keeper Mullin has been released despite Blues missing out on rumoured No 1 transfer target Lee Hook, who's gone to Dover.

 

Centre-half Smith missed much of the season after damaging his cruciate ligament.

 

But he captained the side in the early weeks under Barry Ashby and was seen as a player with a big future before his injury struck.

 

Elsewhere, there are no real surprises.

 

 

Striker Nathan Bailey, a January capture from Dover, has been axed after failing to score a single goal in an injury-hit spell with the club.

 

Midfield barrel Jackson Ohakam has gone after falling out of favour with manager Terry Yorath in the final months of the season.

 

Big earner Luke Coleman, who finished the season on loan at Ramsgate, is out, as is defender James Gregory.

 

Ben Lewis has completed his move to Margate, as revealed in the Isle of Thanet Gazette a fortnight ago, while young striker Joe Taylor, who was rumoured to be interesting Ramsgate, has signed a contract at Hartsdown Park.

 

Margate retained list: Roberto Corbishley, Jack Haverson, Joe Healy, Aaron Lacy, Ben Lewis, Kieran Morris, Aaron Quain, Ryan Peters, Kenny Pratt, Curtis Robinson, Dan Stubbs, Luke Wheatley, Wayne Wilson, Dan Young."

[michael]

A he was club captain, out of respect -and to prevent mindless speculation and mis-informed rumour, do others feel that there should be some further clarification on the situation with Louis Smith ?

[Wellsie]

I'm not sure what clarification you're looking for Michael. The club has confirmed at this stage who the retained players are.

 

Louis started last season really well - I always thought he and Dan Young would make a very good partnership at the back. But owing to his unfortunate injury at Tooting, things have moved on including new players being signed in the meantime.

 

Louis is out of contract, but that doesn't mean he won't be attending pre-season training at Margate. After such a serious injury, it's only sensible to give him and the club time to see if it's right for both parties for him to come back. Personally, I hope he does, because he certainly showed promise and had already built up quite a bit of experience at our level. But I can't see any claification coming from the club or by what Louis does next until much later in the close season.

[StuyRandall]

I like it! A bit disappointed to not see Ohakam on that list, but otherwise that's a pretty decent foundation to build upon

[michael]

I reckon Louis will sign for ramsgate;as there seems` little doubt now that he has actually been released

[I am Spartacus]

If you look at where we were at this time last season and where we are now I think the news is very poistive.

 

 

[michael]

Totally agree on the playing front.

 

Fantastic news to date

[Chris1]

Re Louis Smith: good player and unlucky with his injury. However, even before that most of us were saying that him and Dan Young didn't really gel together. And we have a good back line anyway, so is he needed? Luke Wheatley has done great, and must surely get the nod over Louis now.

[Boney Crisp]

I'm pleased that we have retained the majority of the squad and from what it seems these players with newer hopefully more experienced players will steer the club in the right direction. Onwards and upwards. Although the HMRC thing is worrying me a little.