Just days after the departure of long-serving secretary Ken Tomlinson, Margate have been hit by the resignation of owner/chairman John Webb.

Mr Webb released a statement on Wednesday saying that his reasons for stepping down were due to his' health, family, business' and his 'desire to ensure Margate FC is moved forward.' He had succeeded former owner/chairman Bob Laslett in March.

The statement went on: "My period as chairman should have been a pleasant one, but turned into a nightmare. I, and Margate Football Club have been let down very badly with false hope and promises, from people who knew better.

"I have come across lies and deceit from the top down. People who only had their personal interest at heart and not the benefit of the club, the systematic dismantling of both the financial structure and the commercial structure has led to situations where the club has been seriously undermined.

"We have now overcome these obstacles and reinstated some semblance of control. It has taken this long to rectify the wrong doings and get people into positions who do not have ‘hidden agendas.'

"Having said that, the club also has very good people now working within it to take it forward.

"All the team members and volunteers who are in these positions are excellent and are doing a fantastic job and will continue to do so.

"I cannot thank Nikki (manager Nikki Bull) for all he has done, the club is very fortunate in having a person like him as its manager."

Mr Webb revealed that co-chairman designate Alistair Bayliss will now become chairman and also the majority shareholder of the club.

"He added: "He (Mr Bayliss) and Ricky (director Ricky Owen) have really helped me over the last few months and I would like to say have become personal friends.

"I cannot thank Alistair enough we have worked really well together and I know he is the right person to take Margate FC forward."

Mr Webb was already a director at Hartsdown when he took over the running of the club from Gate owner/chairman Laslett in March with an 82% shareholding.

He has previously gone on record as saying that Mr Laslett - who he considered a close friend - had agreed to make several phased payments to help smooth the transition of ownership but claimed those payments were never made.

Initially chief executive Chris Pope was appointed Gate vice-chairman but within weeks he had left, to be replaced as CEO by Ryan Day, who then stepped down from the post in July though the latter swiftly returned as the club's operations manager and media officer.

At the instigation of the club's supporters Mr Bayliss came in as co-chairman designate in September and recently paid off a county court judgement to former club employee Pope.

On the pitch the Blues stayed up on the final day of last season after losing 11 of their final 12 matches and are currently 19th in Vanarama South ahead of their trip to leaders Maidenhead United on Saturday.

Within the last month manager Bull was asked to significantly reduce his budget leading to the departure of a host of players including top scorer Elliott Buchanan, skipper Luke Moore, Michael Thalassistis, Yads Mambo, Manny Parry, Alex Osborn, Matt Johnson and Danny Fitzsimons.

The club went out of the FA Trophy after losing 2-0 at East Thurrock United on Tuesday.