Pic: Margate FC
MARGATE are supporting fame hungry striker Mike Thalassitis – despite his return to Love Island.
The forward's spell on the hit ITV2 show has been dogged by controversy but the Bostik Premier club are comfortable with him going back on the popular reality programme.
Thalassitis and manager Steve Watt got into a war of words when he first stepped into the villa last month.
New boss Watt said he was unimpressed that the 24-year-old hadn't told him he was going – and that he would be missing early pre-season training.
Thalassitis' response looked to have nailed his Hartsdown coffin. He told the Daily Mail after being given the boot from the show first time around that he couldn't care less what his manager thought.
“I have no regrets,” he said. “And I couldn't talk to my coach before going on the show anyway, as you have to keep it quiet.
“But I couldn't give a s*** if he said that about me. I can easily get another team. It's just a shame that this hasn't paid off, I was only in there for a f****** week!”
The pair kissed and made up and after his exit from Love Island, the former Chelmsford City striker put pen to paper on a deal for 2017-18.
It seemed another battle was about to begin when he returned to the show again on Wednesday – the same day as Watt won the race to sign striker Frannie Collin.
But Margate have moved to reassure supporters that the club have given him the OK to return to our screens and that he will be wearing the blue shirt next term.
Chairman Alistair Bayliss said: “As a club we would never stand in the way of a personal opportunity of this magnitude. Everyone is supporting him.
“Mike is a top guy who is well liked around the club and we wish him all the best upon his return to the villa.
“We are looking forward to having Mike back with us and being part of what we hope will be a very successful season.”
Margate start their return to Step 3 on August 12 against Thurrock, Mark Stimson's side winning the Ryman North play-off final last May.
