Margate fans were cautiously optimistic as the club officially unveiled its new-look management team at a packed meeting at Hartsdown Park last night (Tuesday).

Barry Ashby made his first public appearance as first team manager and told supporters he is looking to strengthen the team’s youth section in a bid to sign more youngsters from Margate.

Ashby, who made nearly 300 appearances as a defender for Gillingham, told kmfm: “Hopefully in the coming years, the people of Margate will not only have a team to be proud of but young local players to watch as well.”

The 37-year-old, who is joined by former team-mate and new player/coach Paul Smith, refused to make any predictions for the 2008/9 season, although the club makes no secret of the fact it is looking to return to the Blue Square Premier.

Ashby said: “We’ll just come in and work as hard as we possibly can to give the club a fresh new look.

“It’s a learning curve without a doubt. I’m not going to say I’ll take to management like a duck to water, but I’ll try to learn as much as I can very quickly.”

*** Hear more from Gate's new boss when he spoke to km-fm by clicking on the audio link at the top of this page. ***