PLAYER PEN PICTURES MARGATE FC

JAMES BESSEY-SALDANHA – Striker

Winger, James Bessey-Saldanha signed for The Gate having played most recently at fellow Kent side, Sevenoaks Town. The 25-year old impressed in behindclosed-doors friendlies, so much so, Jay Saunders was quick to secure his services for the 2021/22 campaign. Bessey-Saldanha was the latest player to renew his stay with the Blues in the summer of 2022 after the appointment of Andy Drury.

LEWIS KNIGHT – Defender

BEN GREENHALGH – Midfielder

Ben Greenhalgh joined the ‘Gate’ in the summer of 2021 to team up with his former Maidstone United manager Jay Saunders. The 29-year-old can play as either a Midfielder or Striker and will provide extra firepower to the Blues. Greenhalgh shot to fame after winning Sky Sports reality show ‘Football’s Next Star’ where he fought off 20,000 other entries to win a six-month professional contract, which was then extended another further year upon its expiry. Despite never playing for Inter, Greenhalgh did impress whilst in Italy scoring eight goals in 12 games for Como. Back in England the 29-year-old played a crucial part in a successful Maidstone United side managed by former Margate Manager Jay Saunders. Other clubs include Concord Rangers, Dartford, Tonbridge Angels and Hemel Hempstead as well as time spent in Scotland playing for Inverness and Stenhousemuir.

DANIEL JINADU – Goalkeeper

Jinadu joined Margate in October 2022 on dual registration from National League side Dartford FC. The 20-year-old shot stopper spent the 2021/22 season with Barnsley where he impressed largely for the U23 side after joining from West Ham. After departing Oakwell, Jinadu linked up with Dartford where he has played back-up to the Darts current number one Joe Young.

28-year-old Lewis Knight joined the club in the summer of 2021 from National League side Billericay Town. The commanding centre-half has enjoyed spells with East Thurrock, St Albans and Maidstone and Billericay before making the switch to Hartsdown Park.

HARRISON HATFULL – Defender

The 20-year-old played for Margate in the 18/19 season before signing for Bearsted. He re-signed for the Gate in October 2021 and is now an important part of Manager Andy Drury’s plans ahead of the 2022/23 season.

TAYLOR FISHER – Defender

Left-back Fisher joined the ‘Gate during the summer of 2022 having won the Players, Players of the Year, Supporters Player of the Year and Manager’s Player of the Year at the club’s end of season awards night for the 2021/22 season. 22-year-old Fisher has previously played for Dartford FC as well as Sittingbourne.

HARRY HUDSON – Defender

21-year-old Hudson started his career in the West Ham Youth set up before signing for Watford U18’s. Hudson went on to make appearances for the Hornets U23’s side. The talented centre-half later signed for Billericay Town, before making the switch to the Tonbridge Angels where he featured 32 times in all competitions during the 2021/22 season. Hudson signed for new Manager Andy Drury in June 2022.

PETER OJEMEN – Defender

The 21-year old Defender can play at Left-Back or in the Centre, and adds further versatility across Andy Drury’s new look back-line. Ojemen featured 23 times last season for Corinthian Casuals in the Isthmian Premier League as they finished 14th in the final standings. Before signing for the Casuals, Ojemen enjoyed stints at Barking FC, Fisher and Welling Town.

TROY HOWARD – Midfielder

20 year-old Howard impressed during the 2021/22 season at Deal Town, and Manager Andy Drury moved quickly to bring the pacey winger to Hartsdown Park this summer. Howard is returning to familiar surroundings having been a product of Margate’s Academy, before signing for Deal Town.

CAMERON BRODIE – Midfielder

The Midfielder joined Andy Drury’s side on loan from National League South side Dartford FC in August 2022. The defensive midfielderhas progressed through the Dartford FC Academy, and signed a contract with the Darts in the summer of 2022 under new Manager Alan Dowson. The midfielder spent the 2021/22 season on loan at Cray Wanderers where he won the Supporters Player of the Year.

ADEYINKA COLE – Midfielder

The box-to-box Midfielder became Manager Andy Drury’s eighth signing of the summer. Cole featured last season for Isthmian Premier side Haringey Borough. The 27-year old has vast experience in the non-league game, with former clubs including Leiston Grays Athletic, Dulwich Hamlet, Enfield, Hemel Hempstead, Billericay and Braintree Town.

SAM BLACKMAN – Midfielder

Midfielder Sam Blackman returned to Hartsdown Park in the summer of 2021 having previously played for the Blues during the 2017/18 season. The combative midfielder will provide manager Andy Drury additional experience in the middle of the park. Blackman started his career at Leatherhead before moving to Hartsdown Park in 2017. After leaving the ‘Gate, Blackman moved to Concord Rangers for the first of his two spells at the Aspect arena, where he featured as a Concord Rangers player in his second spell in the delayed 2019/20 season FA Trophy at Wembley Stadium. Other clubs include Dartford and Hythe Town.