Margate manager Chris Kinnear has this morning confirmed that he will be leaving the club to take over as Manager of Dover Athletic.

As a result, Jake Leberl will be also be leaving Margate to join him as Assistant Manager at Crabble with Nicky Forster replaced at Dover Athletic after five straight defeats.

Kinnear became Margate Manager for the second time in April 2011 and has taken the team to third place in the Ryman League Premier Division, rejoining Dover Athletic after having last managed them in 1995.

The former Margate boss had a ten year spell at Crabble, taking them from the Southern League to the Conference South.

Margate CEO Cliff Egan told the club’s official website: “Chris has done a great job here at Margate and the board would like to thank him for all his hard work.”

“At the moment, we are unable to compete with the resources that Dover can offer their manager.”

“Chris spent last night thinking about the offer on the table. He came to the conclusion that it would be a great opportunity to test himself at a higher level.”

“I know he loves Margate and it wasn’t an easy decision for him, but I understand why he has made it. He leaves the club with our best wishes.”

Chris and Jake will take their last training session today and take the opportunity to say goodbye to the players.

In the meantime, the Margate Directors have already started the search for a new Manager with Dover Athletic having also confirmed the appointment.

Meanwhile, former Assistant Manager, Steve Brown, will stay on the staff at Crabble.