Margate Football Club’s First Team Manager Steve Watt will be managing the Post-16 Academy First Team.
The news follows the announcement that The Gate will be launching an academy at Hartsdown Park, in partnership with Herne Bay High.
Players who join in September 2018 will receive coaching and insight from the ex-professional who has played for Chelsea, Barnsley, Swansea City, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Ross County, Grimsby Town and Dover Athletic.
Steve said: “I’m delighted to come on board to manage the Post 16 Academy. Lots of work has been going on behind the scenes to get the academy up and running and to see it all starting to come together is extremely pleasing.
“I’m looking forward to having the chance to work and coach the players besides solidifying the pathway and opportunities from the academy into our First Team. I’ll be instilling the same professional, high standards we ask of everyone across the football club and I’m excited for what is set to be a very bright future for those involved.”
Jon Boyes, Principle at Herne Bay High, believes the new partnership “will prove an exceptional educational pathway.”
Steve’s appointment within the academy set-up is an extremely significant one, according to General Manager Deny Wilson.
He said: “Securing Steve’s services to work and coach our academy players highlights the ambition behind this new partnership. With Steve’s experience, qualifications and calibre, we believe we’re offering an exceptional opportunity to young people.
“Combining this with the access to our first-class 3G facility and integration with the first-team set up, the partnership is looking extremely strong and I’m excited to watch it develop further over the next few months.”
If you’d like to register an interest in joining Margate FC’s Post 16 Academy, please contact [email protected]