Jack Metcalf’s Memories

A photo of Jack’s favourite player, as listed below

What is your name ?
Jack Metcalf.

What is your date and place of birth ?
1920 – Victoria Avenue, Westgate-on-Sea.

Where do you live ?
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada.

What was the first Margate match you ever saw and what can you remember about it ?
In 1932 (I think) against Canterbury Waverley in the Kent League. I also recall a Southern League game against Guildford City in 1934 with the Arsenal players in the Margate side – it was the first season of the ‘nursery’ arrangement. The Gate won both matches.

What was the first away game you went to ?
I believe it was a match at Sheppey United in 1933.

Who is your all-time favourite Margate player and why ?
Nobby Munday – an amateur who was the regular reserve team goalie but played a good few Southern League games too when George Marks was injured. Arsenal offered Nobby professional terms but he wasn’t interested.

Who would be in your all-time favourite Margate X1 ?
Players from the 1934 and 1935 teams, also players from the post-war Kent League teams.

What’s the best goal you’ve ever seen a Margate player score ?
A booming shot from close to the halfway line by Horace Cumner against Norwich City in their first season in the Southern League.

What are the top three highlights of your time supporting Margate ?
1. The arrival of Arsenal.
2. Entry into the Southern League.
3. Some of the pre-war runs in the FA Cup.

And what are the worst things you can remember ?
1. Falling off of support pre-war.
2. The unexplained departure of Bill Hewitson – probably the best centre who ever played at Hartsdown Park.

What’s the funniest thing you’ve witnessed during a Margate match ?
When Eddie Carr’s shorts got torn on a very windy day. The replacement pair and the torn pair both blew away.

Do you have a favourite piece of Margate FC memorabilia or do you own any unusual items ?
Did have – mostly programmes – but got lost with all the moving around during the war.

Have you ever seen a full season of competitive matches (ie not missed any) or come close to it ?
Came close to it for several years.

How many games would you say you’ve seen in total ?
Too many to count.

What’s your all-time favourite away ground ?
Guildford City.

And which ground out of all the ones you’ve ever been to did you like least ?
Faversham post-war – a real dump.

Did you ever play football on the pitch at Hartsdown ?
Yes in 1935 and 1936 for Kent Senior Schools.

Which Margate / Thanet kit is your all-time favourite ?
Black and amber.

Added to the site in 2006.