Pic: Don Walker
NIKKI BULL has signed a two-year deal as permanent manager of struggling Margate despite earlier saying he expected to leave in the summer.
The veteran keeper took caretaker charge of the Gate after Terry Brown left in December and had the club looking towards the play-offs after a ten match unbeaten run.
However, among off field uncertainty – with benefactor Bob Laslett stepping down as chairman – Bull’s side have crumbled and Saturday’s 4-1 loss at Bishop’s Stortford was their tenth defeat in a row.
That torrid run has left the Kent side just one point and one place above the relegation zone with two games to play as they look to avoid an instant return to the Ryman Premier.
Despite not knowing which league they’ll be playing in next term, Bull has been given a contract until the end of the 2017-18 season and new chairman John Webb is confident he’s the right man for the job.
“Nikki has had to work in some difficult situations over the past few weeks and his attitude and commitment to the job have been first class,” Webb told Margate’s website.
“We know what Nikki can achieve with this football club and we look forward to enjoying a successful era under his management
“The fans have been on a journey with us over the last few weeks and now they have been fantastic. We have a huge two games now to make sure we remain a Vanarama National League South side next season.”
