With pre-season training in full swing, boss Ben Greenhalgh is itching to get back into match action—and what better way to kick things off than with a home clash against National League South side Tonbridge Angels?
Speaking ahead of the game, Ben shared his excitement for the return to Hartsdown Park, as well as some insights into how pre-season is shaping up.
“We’re Ready to Go!”
“It’s what everyone looks forward to,” Ben said. “You get that buzz from being back at training, but after four or five sessions, everyone just wants to play. We’ve worked hard to build the lads up physically and mentally—we’re in a really good place right now.”
The match isn’t just a warm-up; it’s the beginning of something bigger.
“There’s a real sense of occasion about Saturday. It’s not just about the game—it’s the return to Hartsdown Park, we’ve got events happening, and then the Libertines gig at Dreamland in the evening. It’s going to be a brilliant day for the club.”
Facing a Tough Test
Taking on Tonbridge Angels is no small feat, and Ben knows it.
“They’re a National League South side, so it’ll be a proper test. In the five years I’ve been here, I think we’ve always started pre-season against teams from the league below. This is different—it’s going to be a challenge, but that’s exactly what we want. It sets the tone for the season ahead.”
Ben’s also looking forward to seeing familiar faces on the opposition bench. “Joe Vines is there as assistant—he’s a great coach. I know they’ll try to play the right way, but they’re in transition just like we were last year. These early games are all about the basics.”
Standards from the Start
For Ben, these early matches are more than just a fitness exercise.
“There are non-negotiables we expect from minute one,” he said firmly. “The players know that. It’s not just coming from the coaching staff—players are holding each other accountable too. We saw that in training already, and that’s what builds a winning culture.”
Familiar Faces, Settled Squad
Unlike many teams fielding trialists and unfamiliar names during pre-season, Margate are benefitting from continuity.
“We’ve kept 14 players from last season, and that’s massive. It gives us stability,” Ben said. “You might not even see a ‘Trialist #7’ on Saturday. These are our players, and we want fans to see who’ll be representing them this season.”
But don’t expect things to be rigid. Ben plans to experiment, too.
“We’re going to try different things—put players in new roles, test combinations. We know what these lads can do, but we also want to find out what we don’t know yet. That’s the value of pre-season.”
Using Play-off Pain as Fuel
Margate’s playoff heartbreak last season still lingers—but Ben believes it’s only made the squad stronger.
“When you keep the group together, the hangover doesn’t last,” he explained. “If you lose key players, it can feel like you’re starting from scratch. But we stuck together, and from the first training session, there’s been a focus on one thing—winning. This group believes in the goal.”
Youth Opportunity and Managing Minutes
Fans can also expect to see some of Margate’s exciting young prospects in action, including players from the club’s U23’s and the Capital Pro Academy.
“We’ve got young talent coming through, and they’ll get their shot,” Ben confirmed. “But we’re careful. We want to give them the chance without putting too much pressure on.”
And when it comes to minutes?
“There’ll be 45’s, maybe a few 60’s—but no 90’s yet. We’re managing bodies carefully. We’ve hit our training targets, which is great, but we want to build sensibly.”
“Let’s Do This Together”
For Ben, Saturday is more than just football—it’s about community.
“We want fans to look at that team sheet and say, ‘Yep, I know these boys.’ It’s our club, our pitch, and our supporters. This is the start of something—we want to take everyone with us.”
