Player-boss Ben Greenhalgh feels Margate are already ahead of the game in pre-season - having started their run of warm-up matches with a win.

Gate began their preparations for the new Isthmian South East campaign with a 3-0 home victory against Southern Counties East Premier Division Whitstable last weekend.

“There were a lot of positives,” said Greenhalgh, who revealed some under-23 players, who had been due to play, got injured at training last week.

“At this stage in pre-season, it’s nice to win but the main thing was getting people minutes, being back at home and having a good run-out. We’re a little ahead of the game.

“We’re going through things that we have worked on in pre-season whereas normally, at this stage in pre-season, that’s not the case.

“We have worked on a couple of systems in pre-season while keeping our fitness up. That’s credit to the lads.

“It was good to see two - pretty much - completely different XIs on Saturday. There was a positive feel about the place.

“That’s the main thing I want at Hartsdown Park.”

Like many clubs, Margate brought the kick-off time forward before many stayed at the ground to roar England to their Euro 2024 quarter-final penalty shoot-out victory against Switzerland after a 1-1 draw.

Greenhalgh noted: “Managers that have been successful when I played under them, that’s the number one thing they had: That link between the players and the supporters.

“That’s why we need to bring in the right players who want to be part of it.

“Supporters watch us, week in, week out, and home and away through the ups and downs. It was good to see everyone and be back again.

“That was certainly the feeling I had and I think it was the same for the remaining players. It was good to show off the new signings, as well.

"Hopefully, they can understand why I’ve been at Margate for three years.”

Among the Gate goalscorers was a trialist.

Greenhalgh explained: “There were four trialists, which, if I’m honest, weren’t the usual trialists.

"They’re players I have been talking to. It’s more just about them getting a feel for the place and for us to get to see them.

“The one that scored will probably be announced very soon. Technically, he was never a trialist! He’s someone I have looked after for a couple of years.

“It’s also a bit of a laugh when fans say ‘Sign this trialist, sign that trialist’ and they’re talking about the ‘Trialist’ family.”

Summer signing strikers Ibrahim Olutade and Lukas Franzen-Jones got the other goals.

“It’s brilliant for Ibzs and came from something we worked on in terms of a good bit of pressure,” recalled Greenhalgh. “We want to be renowned for that kind of energy this year.

“He worked hard to get the ball and made his own goal.

“It was also good for Lukas. He got 25 goals for Lancing last season.

“He scored the kind of goal that I think he will score a lot this season, where he was there at the back post at the right time.”

Margate, due to host Isthmian Premier Dover tonight, are at home to Concord on Saturday and welcome Dartford on Tuesday.