Bob Harrop’s Memories

Bob was one of Margate’s greatest ever players and played more games for the club than anybody before or since…

Bob Harrop Team photo

What is your full name and date and place of birth ?
Robert Harrop – 25th August 1936 – Manchester.

What is your marital Status?
Married.

Do you have children ?
Three boys – Stephen, Mark and David.

Did / do any of your family play football ?
Mark played for Margate, Dover and Gravesend.

Where do you live now ?
Ramsgate.

What is your occupation now ?
Retired.

What was your occupation during your time with Margate ?
HGV driver.

How did you come to join Margate ?
Almer Hall approached me when I was at Tranmere Rovers.

What do you remember about your Margate debut ?
We lost 1-0 to Wisbech.

What were the highlights of your Margate career ?
Playing Bournemouth in the FA Cup and winning 3-0.

What were the highlights of your entire career ?
Playing at Wembley for Great Britain Youth and my debut for Manchester United in an FA Cup tie against West Bromwich Albion which we won 1-0.

Who was the best player you played with at Margate ?
Alan Blackburn.

Who was the best player you played against whilst with Margate ?
Tony Biggs of Folkestone FC.

Who was the best player you played with during your whole career ?
Duncan Edwards at Manchester United.

Who was the best player you played against during your whole career ?
John Charles of Leeds United.

Who was / were your best friend(s) during your time with Margate ?
Alan Blackburn and Johnny Scott.

Do you still keep in contact with any of your old Margate team-mates ?
I still see some of them at football matches.

What was the best stadium you played in during your entire career ?
Wembley.

What ground(s) did you most enjoy playing at during your time at Margate ?
Nuneaton and Dover.

And which ground(s) did you least like ?
Hinckley.

Who was the best manager you played under (and at which club) ?
Matt Busby at Manchester United and Almer Hall at Margate.

Who was the biggest influence on your football career ?
Bert Whalley – coach at Manchester United.

What was your favourite / best Margate goal?
The two I scored against Dover when injured and playing up front.

What was the best goal you saw another Margate player score ?
Bryan Clifton’s 30-yarder against Dover.

Do you keep an eye on Margate’s progress / results and if so what do you think ?
Yes and I think they have done very well.

Did you have a nickname during your career / time at Margate?
‘Evergreen’.

What honours did you win during your career ?
England Youth and Great Britain Youth caps.

Do you ever watch Margate now or if not, when was the last time you saw them ?
Yes, when possible.

Who were the real characters at Margate during your time with the club ?
John O’Mara, Jack Smith and Phil Amato.

Can you recall any funny moments from your time at Margate ?
When we set off to Corby at 6.30 am, broke down and finished playing at 7.30 pm. Arrived home at 6.30 the next morning !

Do you have any regrets about your football career ?
Leaving Manchester United – I did have a chance of staying.

What do you think about being featured on a website or the fact that a Margate History site exists ?
I am amazed I am on it but feel that Margate deserve to have one.

Added to the site in 2003. Bob died on 8th November 2007 aged 71.