MARGATE are promoting the Boxing Day match with near neighbours Dover as "the biggest Nationwide Conference derby match - ever". It's the first meeting between the two sides in the Conference following the Gate's promotion last season, and the club's management is urging fans to break the league's derby attendance record of 4,750 set by Kettering v Rushden & Diamonds.

The game has been given an extra edge with the appointment of Neville Southall as Dover's new manager. Margate's manager is former Dover boss Chris Kinnear. He said: "Who would have believed it. We are competing against my old club in a game that has eveything, including the chance to prove that Thanet can become Conference football's biggest ever local derby supporter.

"The club's ready for it, the lads are up for it, and we'll be going flat out for three Christmas gift points."

Margate could complete a festive double over Dover. The teams meet in the return league fixture at Crabble on New Year's Day.

Margate are so keen to promote the game that they have taken out a large advertisement in the Kent Messenger Group's Thanet Extra urging fans to attend.