Margate have named their new player-manager for the 2024/25 season.

Influential playmaker Ben Greenhalgh replaces ex-Gillingham boss Mark Stimson at the Hartsdown Park helm after the club’s 2023/24 Isthmian Premier relegation.

“It’s a privilege to, not only be part of this club as a player, but to join some great managers in the history books of Margate FC,” Greenhalgh told the club website on Wednesday following his appointment. “It’s not something I take for granted.

“I thank the club for this opportunity and look forward to steering us back to winning ways.”

Greenhalgh - who works as Dartford’s Academy manager - has been with Gate since the 2021/22 season.

He reached 100 appearances at the club in the 2022/23 season and surpassed the 50-goal mark towards the end of last term.

The 32-year-old also has experience being part of Margate’s coaching team, having helped the club win the Kent Senior Cup alongside former boss Reece Prestedge - who joined Isthmian South East Sittingbourne’s backroom staff this week - last year.

A one-time Inter Milan player, Greenhalgh has also played for Tonbridge, Dartford, Maidstone, Ebbsfleet, Welling and Inverness in Scotland.

Greenhalgh will aim to ensure Margate can make a quick Isthmian Premier return during the 2024/25 campaign.