Margate assistant manager Matt Longhurst says pre-season friendly weekend hosts Chatham Town are the benchmark as Jamie Coyle’s men travel to Medway

Assistant manager Matt Longhurst reckons Margate’s weekend hosts are the benchmark - even if pre-season friendlies have become less appealing to him over the years.

Jamie Coyle’s side head to ambitious Isthmian Premier club Chatham Town for their latest warm-up match this Saturday lunchtime.

It has been a rapid rise for Kevin Hake’s Chats, who were in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division just four years ago.

“They’re definitely the club we need to look at in terms of how they have done things,” said Longhurst, who sees his side finish pre-season with the Isle of Thanet Cup clash at rivals Ramsgate on Saturday, August 1.

“The bar facilities there are fantastic. Kev has done an unbelievable job.

"They have gone to a sort of hybrid model, training in the day, which I think is really good at that level. They will be very strong where they have signed some great players.

"They’re, obviously, at home and it’s a lunchtime kick-off.

“But the longer in the tooth you become, the more you don’t like pre-season. I used to love pre-season as a young coach - but I just want to get into the season now.

“You cannot beat playing for three points. That’s why the Ramsgate game will be so good.

“Yes, the result doesn’t actually matter, but it gives us a chance to play a really competitive game that will mean a lot to the supporters.”

Gate have already found out the first cup clashes they will have in the new campaign while the Isthmian League fixtures are due to come out tomorrow.

Coyle and Longhurst will face a swift reunion at home to former club Whitstable in the first round of the Kent Senior Cup. The tie is due to take place by September 8.

Before then, in the FA Cup preliminary round, they will visit Horsham YM or