Big Nev

Yesterday, I made the epic 5 minute journey to BRIDGE AVENUE - home to AFC HORNCHURCH of the RYMAN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION.

The "URCHINS" were entertaining MARGATE FC in a League fixture - so I knew there was a chance of bumping into an old Gulls favourite, in the shape of Margate's First Team Coach.

Step forward - the one and only - NEVILLE SOUTHALL.

"Big Nev" joined "THE GATE" in November 2008 alongside TERRY YORATH (Director of Football), following the departure of previous manager BARRY ASHBY and player/coach PAUL SMITH.

It seems that events on the pitch haven't been going Margate's way this season - probably due to them fielding a side made up of former reserve and youth players for the 2008/09 campaign.
However, the emphasis is now on development for the future.

Anyway,after a brief chat - and a photo on arrival, Nev got down to putting his Matchday squad through an intensive warm up.It would seem that Nev has also been through an intensive workout - looking much slimmer into the bargain!

Alas, "second - from - bottom" Margate succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of "mid table" Hornchurch - a shame in itself because Margate had countless opportunities to score, but just couldn't make them count.
A draw would have been a fair result


Here's my photo of the great man himself.









Note to Crooky:

I asked Nev if he still has your framed caricature - and his words were the following,
"Of course I do, I have it on display on the wall at home."