Former Gillingham, Bradford City and Sunderland midfielder Billy Knott joins Margate
05:00, 11 January 2023
updated: 09:37, 11 January 2023
An experienced former Football League midfielder who counts Gillingham among his old clubs has joined Margate.
Billy Knott signed for the Isthmian Premier outfit in time for their Velocity Cup quarter-final 4-3 loss on Tuesday at Hartsdown Park to Whitehawk.
“Billy is another one of the players that we’ve been really hopeful to bring in. I’ve been speaking to him over the last week and I’m glad we can bring him into Margate FC,” interim joint-boss Ben Greenhalgh told the club website.
“His experience will be vital in the changing room and we’re looking forward to adding his quality onto the pitch.
“Billy’s had a brilliant career, scoring against Chelsea [for Bradford in 2015 during a shock FA Cup victory] and being a part of England under-20s, and I’m hoping Margate can be the club that gets things back on track.”
Knott came on in the second half against Whitehawk but then had to come off with an injury.
Greenhalgh netted twice early on for Gate - including a second goal in four days direct from a corner - before the Isthmian South East side hit back to go 3-2 in front.
A scramble in the penalty area then allowed the hosts to level, only for Whitehawk to score once again in controversial fashion after Knott had gone down injured.
Knott signed a two-year contract at Priestfield in June 2016 but joined Lincoln on loan in February 2017 before penning a one-year deal there in June of that year.
Overall, he made 15 league starts for Gillingham under former boss Justin Edinburgh but fell out of favour after the arrival of Ady Pennock as head coach.
He also played for Sunderland and Bradford City, as well as a spell with AFC Wimbledon.
Midfielder Cameron Brodie, meanwhile, has extended his loan from National League South Dartford until the end of the season. He initially joined on loan in August and has impressed since.
Margate will visit Horsham this Saturday in the league.