New Margate defender Taylor Fisher on preparing for Isthmian Premier football, finding his love for the game again and making KentOnline's team of the year

New Margate defender Taylor Fisher insists he is ready for Isthmian Premier football having rediscovered his love for the game.

Gate won the race for the in-demand left-back after he shone at Isthmian South East Sittingbourne during the 2021/22 season.

He was named the Brickies’ supporters’ player-of-the-year, manager’s player-of-the-year and players’ player-of-the-year but conceded he would have found it difficult to stay with the Woodstock club after boss Darren Blackburn was sacked last month despite leading Sittingbourne to 10th place.

Fisher had played for Dartford’s first-team early in his career but, at the age of 22, is only now completing his first full season of first-team football after the Covid pandemic.

When asked if he was ready to play at Step 3, he said: “Definitely.

"I feel like I was probably ready a few seasons back for the step up, it was just getting the chance to start playing again.

“To be honest, when I went to Sittingbourne, I think I kind of found my love for the game again after not playing for ages. Under Darren, he just gave me the freedom to play every week.

“A lot of people don’t really have trust in younger players that much so it was nice that Darren threw me. I did all right most of the season but he was always trying to help me.

“It was quite nice to be at a club who were doing everything they could for you.

“I had quite a few offers. Since Darren left, it was quite hard to stay at the club [Sittingbourne] so, when a club higher up comes in for you, that’s a bit of a reward for how well you have done, really.

“That’s how I took it. I want to step up and prove myself again.”

Margate manager Andy Drury spoke to Taylor’s dad Dave - the legendary striker having been a former team-mate of