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Collin Comeback Complete
Despite a disappointing defeat to Potters Bar Town on Saturday afternoon, Margate fans would have been delighted to see the return of Alex Flisher and Frannie Collin to The Gate’s attacking arsenal.
Collin played a pivotal part in the first-half of Margate’s season, making his absence through injury, the more painful for supporters to witness.
After much hard-work, Collin completed his comeback, looking sharp and fit to make a difference for Margate’s remaining handful of fixtures.
Speaking after Saturday’s game at Hartsdown Park, Collin said:
“I was over the moon to be back involved and get some minutes under my belt on Saturday, as I didn’t know if I would be able to play again this season.”
“Obviously the result didn’t go our way but to be back on the pitch again with the boys was massive for me.”
Reflecting on his spell on the side lines, it has clearly been a frustrating and challenging period for Collin.
“It was a very strange injury, definitely the strangest I have ever had because it was so hard to pinpoint a cause and problem.”
“I’d basically been carrying a groin problem since early December that gradually got worse in the run up to Christmas. It was first thought it could well be a hernia but after getting it checked out found it wasn’t and was an abdominal tear and pelvis tendon injury which is quite uncommon.”
“Unfortunately, because of where it is, it is hard to get direct treatment on the problem or to say exactly how long it will take to heal. So, it’s been a case of working with Keith the physio and Timmy Warden the fitness coach.”
Collin added, “I also went to see a strength and conditioning coach, Harrison Grant, who helped massively in strengthening the areas around the injury to take the pressure off allowing me to get back on the pitch. All three have been a huge help.”
Despite the odds of a return this season looking slim, Collin’s determination means Manager Jay Saunders has some needed reinforcement to his squad for the final flurry of Bostik League games.
“It was disappointing on Saturday, after the great run we’ve been on under Jay. Unfortunately, at this point in the season with not much on games, they can become a bit of a non-contest.”
“Fortunately we’ve got three teams left to play who are all fighting for something this season. We also have the derby against Folkestone left at home which is a huge game for us and a chance to end the season on a high in front of the fans who have been terrific for us all season.”
“With the three games we have left and the squad we have available now, we should be looking at getting nine points.”
Looking ahead to that Bank Holiday finale, the added spice of local bragging rights makes it a fixture for Collin and his team-mates to savour.
“Whenever you’re playing in a derby game there’s always an edge to the match. Our record against Folkestone hasn’t been great over the last couple of seasons, so it’s definitely something we’re looking to put right.”
“Hopefully we can get a nice big crowd down to Hartsdown on Monday. The boys will be really looking forward to this one and it’s great to have such a big game as our last game.”
“We always perform in the big contests and hopefully with the vocal backing of a bumper crowd we can put on a show and give the fans something to look forward to for next season.”
Show your support for Collin and his team-mates by purchasing your tickets for Margate's season finale at HDP on Monday 22nd April by clicking here.
Tuesday, 16 April 2019
By Charlotte Richardson
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