Yorath's transfer targets train with Margate

Wednesday 12th August 2009

MARGATE boss Terry Yorath says he’s making progress with a couple of his summer transfer targets, writes Stephen McCartney.

Despite finishing fourth-bottom in the Ryman Premier League last season, Margate were reprieved from relegation due to a couple of clubs dropping out of the Blue Square South in the summer.

But the Welsh legend has been frustrated with the time to bring in his summer transfer targets, which he declined to name, but he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk today that he hopes to add new faces to his squad soon.

“I’ve had targets down here last night training with us, which turned out to be quite good,” Yorath revealed.

“Both of them have had injuries, but I know both of them, they’re good characters and we have to see where we go from there.”

Margate kick-off their new campaign against two clubs that are destined to be challenging for the major league honours.

They travel to Sutton United on Saturday - before welcoming Kent rivals Dartford to Hartsdown Park next Tuesday.

And Yorath said: “We’ve played quite a few friendlies and we’ve worked hard in pre-season but there’s still players I want to sign, which will probably carry on into the second or third week of the season.

“I’m looking forward to the season starting and so are the players. Aspirations are to do the best with what we can - if I got the players I wanted.”

Looking forward to Saturday’s opener at Gander Green Lane, Yorath said: “I saw them a couple of times last season, they’re a good side for our division and they always seem to do well.

“We know it’s going to be difficult and we’ll go there with a certain game plan. If we come out of those two games with points, I’m very happy.”

Tony Burman says his Dartford sided are aiming for promotion this season - and Yorath is relishing the Hartsdown Park showdown in midweek.

“Last year we had a couple of decent games against them, close calls,” he said. “Dartford are probably, this season anyway, be one of the better teams in the league. They have money to spend. I’m looking forward to testing myself against them.”

Yorath added: “We’ve got a very hard start to the season, we all know that, from the chairman downwards. If we come out of it with points we’ll be delighted.”

With Dan Young ruled out because of a three-match ban, Yorath wants his side to be challenging at the right end of the table.

“That last game of the season, where we had to wait to see if we were staying up or not,” recalled Yorath, “I wouldn’t recommend that to anybody.

“I’d rather be up the top going for promotion.”

Visit Margate’s website: www.margate-fc.com

Sutton United v Margate

Ryman Premier League

Saturday 15th August 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Borough Sports Ground, Gander Green Lane, Sutton, Surrey SM1 2EY