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Peter Donnelly’s Memories

Peter scored 50 goals for Football League clubs before moving to Margate in 1966, he went on to have a long association with the club including two spells as caretaker manager…

Peter Donnelly Team photo

What is your full name and date and place of birth ?
Peter Donnelly, 22nd September 1936, Hull.

What is your marital Status?
Married to Helen.

Do you have children ?
Yes, two girls and one boy.

Did / do any of your family play football ?
Yes, son Mark played for Margate Reserves.

Where do you live now ?
Garlinge.

What is your occupation now ?
Retired.

What was your occupation during your time with Margate ?
Sales Manager for an insurance company.

How did you come to join Margate ?
Almer Hall signed me from Bradford City.

What do you remember about your Margate debut ?
Don’t remember.

What were the highlights of your Margate career ?
Managing the reserves and winning the league three times. Managing the first team for two separate spells. Playing in the Kent Senior Cup Final.

What were the highlights of your football career ?
Scoring two goals against Tottenham at White Hart Lane playing for Cardiff City – crowd was 63,000. We lost 3-2 and it was Spurs’ double season.

Who was the best player you played with at Margate ?
Phil Amato.

Who was the best player you played with during your whole career ?
Derek Hogg at Cardiff City.

Who was the best player you played against during your whole career ?
Bobby Moore and Stanley Matthews.

Who was / were your best friend(s) during your time with Margate ?
Terry Morris.

Do you still keep in contact with any of your old Margate team-mates ?
Yes.

What was the best stadium you played in during your entire career ?
Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany.

Which ground did you least like playing at during your time at Margate ?
Ramsgate.

Who was the best manager you played under (and at which club) ?
Frank Soo at Scunthorpe.

Who was the biggest influence on your football career ?
Peter Doherty, manager at Doncaster Rovers.

What was your favourite / best Margate goal ?
Against Ramsgate at Hartsdown Park.

Do you keep an eye on Margate’s progress / results and if so what do you think ?
Yes, but they are too inconsistent.

Did you have a nickname during your career / time at Margate ?
No.

What honours did you win during your career ?
None.

Do you ever watch Margate now or, if not, when was the last time you saw them ?
Last game I saw before Legends Day (April 2014) was two months earlier.

Who were the real characters at Margate during your time with the club ?
Laurie Thomson and Tommy Marshall.

Do you have any regrets about your football career ?
None.