I Was Just Wondering ........

[freefred]

In these days of a high player turnover, it just made me wonder when was the last "1 Club Man", who played for Margate or Thanet United from their first semi pro game through to their last semi pro game. I know I am younger than other members here, but the closest I can think of is Mark Munday, although I know he finished his playing career elsewhere I am sure he put a lot of years in with Margate (I'm sure I remember when he first started playing for Thanet United).

[Jeff Trice]

Mark played for a few different clubs - see his profile on my site - and there haven't ever been many genuine one club men at Margate. Haven't thought about it too much admittedly but even the likes of Ray Summers and Terry Joyce played elsewhere. For a player who only ever appeared for Margate and played quite a bit you'd probably have to go back to Vic Pilcher who last played in the 1950's, haven't checked his profile but off the top of my head I think he was at Margate for 10+ years and never played for anybody else. Nobody else obvious springs to mind. More recent loyal servants like Bill Edwards (whatever happened to his testimonial...), Norman Fusco and Joe Radford all played elsewhere too before / after their time with Margate / Thanet.

[DEREK]

In these days of a high player turnover, it just made me wonder when was the last "1 Club Man", who played for Margate or Thanet United from their first semi pro game through to their last semi pro game. I know I am younger than other members here, but the closest I can think of is Mark Munday, although I know he finished his playing career elsewhere I am sure he put a lot of years in with Margate (I'm sure I remember when he first started playing for Thanet United).

I THINK STEVE WINCH MAY HOLD THE RECORD

[freefred]

Thanks I definately remember watching Norman Fusco and Joe Radford and know they both served long stints, but how about we throw this open futher, I know fans of other clubs read our forums, is there such a thing as a 1 club man in non league football? Many thanks to Jeff and Derek. ( P.S. Anyone who has not yet checked out Jeffs Margate history site I highly recommend it, its fascinating reminding you of the things you forgot about your favourite players).

[freefred]

Just checked out Vic Pilcher Jeff and I think he is as close to a 1 club man as you will find. It looks like he played for Margate throughout his career, only stopping when there was no Margate to play for. (freefred is in awe at the amazing memory of Mr Trice).

[Jeff Trice]

My memory might not be quite as good as you thought - I'd forgotten that Vic Pilcher also played for Canterbury so even though he later had a long unbroken spell at Margate that really just puts him in the same class as the likes of Edwards, Munday, Fusco etc etc. In terms of long unbroken stints at Margate then I think Terry Joyce and Ray Summers would take some beating. Steve Winch had a couple of spells at Ramsgate in amongst his long service to Margate / Thanet.

[DEREK]

My memory might not be quite as good as you thought - I'd forgotten that Vic Pilcher also played for Canterbury so even though he later had a long unbroken spell at Margate that really just puts him in the same class as the likes of Edwards, Munday, Fusco etc etc. In terms of long unbroken stints at Margate then I think Terry Joyce and Ray Summers would take some beating. Steve Winch had a couple of spells at Ramsgate in amongst his long service to Margate / Thanet.

KEN TOMLINSON MUST HOLD A RECORD OF SOME KIND, LONG MAY HE CONTINUE WITH THE CLUB. HOW ABOUT A TESTIMONIAL FOR HIM

[Jeff Trice]

Just had a look through my database and the one player I found who never played for another senior club but spent a lengthy time at Hartsdown Park was Charlie Baker. Only 11 first team games but was with Margate non-stop from 1948/49 to end of 1958/59 - 11 seasons.

[seasidesteve]

how about darren freeman he played at least 20 minutes for us that must be a record as well

[AncientBlue]

Just had a look through my database and the one player I found who never played for another senior club but spent a lengthy time at Hartsdown Park was Charlie Baker. Only 11 first team games but was with Margate non-stop from 1948/49 to end of 1958/59 - 11 seasons.

 

 

David Jarman had a fairly long stay at Margate, 9-10 years possibly?

[freefred]

seasidesteve

 

how about darren freeman he played at least 20 minutes for us that must be a record as well

ok Steve good point as well as longest serving how about shortest serving players? I remember a keeper we had on loan a couple of seasons ago who had a complete nightmare, conceded 2 or 3 goals in the first 20 minutes before being carried off injured. Cant think of his name, can anyone help? I do remember a discussion on the forum about how spectacularly bad he was and us being flamed by his home teams supporters saying we weren't fit to lace his boots. Edited September 11, 2009 by freefred

[freefred]

Billy Turley? the goalkeeper I was trying to think of?

[Jeff Trice]

Keeper was Billy McMahon.

 

I think the shortest Margate 'career' was very possibly James / Jim / Jimmy Corbett's a few years back. Came on for about a minute once and that was it.

 

David Jarman was indeed long-serving but he was another who played elsewhere too.

[freefred]

Thanks Jeff made me feel thick again lol.I think it is such a great thing for a club to have such a dedicated historian.

[Jeff Trice]

Not bang up to date but in case it's of interest there's a page on my site showing seasons played in...

 

Seasons played in