Margate have explained why their Thanet Cup clash against rivals Ramsgate will not be taking place this summer.

The game has been a regular fixture in both clubs’ pre-seasons in recent years. It was won 2-1 by the Rams in 2022 - although three players did see red in the match.

A statement by Isthmian Premier Margate’s board of directors noted how manager Reece Prestedge and player-assistant Ben Greenhalgh wanted to get on with planning their pre-season calendar as soon as it was confirmed they would be staying on - at a time when Ramsgate were battling to earn promotion from Isthmian South East.

As it panned out, however, the Rams lost their Play-off Semi-Final to Hythe, with Jamie Coyle having since stood down as player-boss and been replaced by Ben Smith.

Margate’s club statement read: “We wish to update supporters on various online comments regarding the postponement of this season’s Thanet Cup against Ramsgate.

“As always, our pre-season friendly schedule is led by the management team, who looked to start arranging their schedule once appointed on April 10.

“At the time, it was our belief that Ramsgate would win promotion into the same division and, therefore, we would not wish to participate in a friendly against a side in our own division.

“Ramsgate did not achieve promotion - however we already had verbal agreements in place with other sides.

“We communicated to Ramsgate on April 30 that we had arranged our schedule and therefore were not looking to participate in the fixture.”

Work on the new changing rooms at Hartsdown Park has now entered the final stages of development, with the external cladding starting to be placed on the new builds.

Annual testing of the club’s 3G pitch took place last week.

Meanwhile right-back Harrison Hatfull has become the latest player to stay with the club.