Margate chairman Alistair Bayliss believes the club are more stable than they have been for a 'very long time.'

Shortly after his appointment, initially as co-chairman designate last September, Mr Bayliss said he feared the Blues could be just weeks from going out of business.

However, he now feels the club have a proper platform on which to build and says he has been hugely encouraged by the work that has been going on behind the scenes.

Mr Bayliss, who succeeded John Webb as chairman at Hartsdown in November, explained: "A lot of people have been working very hard behind the scenes to put things in place to make the club more stable.

He added: "Every home game between now and the end of the season except one is sponsored, there are more (advertising) boards going up and we're already talking to people about next season.

"Ricky Owen (Gate director) has done a great job with the five-a-side, that's turning round and is starting to generate an income and he's done a remarkable job with the Community Trust.

"The trust is now back in the club's hands which means we can do more with the community and start to look into obtaining grants.

"He's also engaged fantastically well with the youth section, he's been working tirelessly behind the scenes on that side of things.

"Claire Hall (the club's general manager) and Sherine Whittle (part of the club's executive management team) have been working on the commercial side which is starting to take really good shape, there are an awful lot of positives."

Mr Bayliss admits results continue to frustrate him - the club are bottom of Vanarama National League South after a run of 13 successive defeats - but he believes they can still avoid relegation - with the right investment.

He added: "Do I think we can stay up? Yes, 100%, but we need investment.

"I said when I came in I didn't have money to put in but I've actually put in more than I can afford to. I put my neck on the line but I need some support.

"At the end of the day all I want to do is what's best for Margate Football Club, I've got no interest in any (personal) financial gains whatsoever.

"Nikki Bull (Gate manager) and I have been working very hard to bring in one or two investors but unfortunately, for one reason or another, it has not happened. People say they will get back to you and they don't.

"People are uneasy about joining the board still because they don't know the situation here. We've stabilised the club, which is better off than it's been for a very long time, but the reality is that if we want to stay in this league we need investment."