MARGATE supporters have started a petition in an attempt to have Chris Kinnear reinstated at Hartsdown Park.

Just hours after fans heard the shock news, supporters flooded the club website shocked and surprised by the news.

One said: "The fans of Margate Football Club are outraged at the shock suspension of manager Chris Kinnear, who has been in charge of the club for the last 10 years having brought them success beyond any other in the clubs 110 year history.

"He has stuck through the club through it's most troubled periods, and has still managed to bring silverware to the team by winning the Kent Senior Cup for the last three years.

"This petition is a sign to the directors that the fans think there is only one man capable and deserving of doing the job, and they have made the biggest mistake in the club's long history.

"Reinstate Chris Kinnear! A true gentlemen in the game, at a time when they are hard to come by."

Kinnear and assistant manager Kevin Raine were sacked following Tuesday night's match against Windsor & Eton.

The 1-1 draw at Hartsdown Park ended a run of four successive defeats, but it wasn't enough to save the pair.

The decision brings to an end Kinnear's 10 year association with the club, and comes a year after supporters launched a campaign to keep him at the club after he had been linked with moves elsewhere.

A statement on the club website said: "At a specially convened meeting held after the Windsor & Eton game on Tuesday night the club directors informed Chris Kinnear and assistant manager Kevin Raine that they have both been suspended from their duties with immediate effect.

"The decision taken reflects the run of poor results since Christmas and the club's unacceptable position at the bottom of the Ryman Premier League this season.

"The directors acknowledge the huge vote of thanks due to Chris Kinnear for the success over the last decade and Chris will go down as the club's most successful manager in recent history."

The club say they will appoint a caretaker manager and advertise the vacancy immediately.