Love Island star Ronnie Vint rejoins former club Margate

Defender Ronnie Vint has rejoined Margate as manager Ben Greenhalgh contends with a lengthy injury list.

Vint has a busy life away from football, following his stint on the TV show Love Island.

But the former Dartford and Dulwich Hamlet centre-half came to Margate’s aid last season - and is happy to do so again.

“With everything Ronnie’s got going on outside football, we know he’s not going to be there every week,” said Greenhalgh.

“But he helped us out last year when we were low on players and he’s helping us out again this year.

“A player like Ronnie makes a difference.

“He was doing pre-season with Dartford and he was close to re-signing but there’s a lot of things with his social media presence which means he probably can’t commit to everything.

“But we get along well, we know him, we’ve played together, he’s played for Margate and it’s something that works when we’re in need, like we are at the moment.”

Margate picked up their first Isthmian South East win of the season on Saturday, beating VCD 2-1 at Hartsdown Park.

Buoyed by their 2-0 midweek win at Thanet rivals Ramsgate in the Kent Senior Cup, goals from Ibrahim Olutade and Henry Young secured a welcome three points.

But they went into Tuesday night’s goalless draw at Faversham with a number injuries, and Vint went straight into the team.

Tom Derry is facing more than a month out with a fractured ankle, although the severity is not yet known.

Kai Garande, Emmanuel Oke, Sam Blackman, Max Walsh, Kieron Agbebi and Louie Atkins were also on the treatment table.

Greenhalgh has also signed a couple of Dartford academy boys, Kelechi Nkwocha and Arisel Isufi, to bolster the squad while numbers are low.

Margate were good value for their win over VCD, following three