Pete Doherty, 46, captains non league side Margate FC in a pre-season friendly against Tonbridge Angels, then gets subbed within minutes.
The singer and guitarist for The Libertines, made his debut for Margate, a club his band sponsors, wore the number 10 shirt and played in his brown hat.
Pete, a Queens Park Rangers fan, led out the team out with the armband on, with the club saying there ‘massive cheers from the Margate faithful roaring their approval with Margate’s newest signing’.
But after five minutes, he was substituted, so that he could go an perform a soundcheck for a nearby concert, Dreamland.
Season Ticket Holders, plus those with a ticket to the Libertines gig gained FREE entry.
Margate, who play in the Isthmian League South East Division, went on to lose the game 3-2, with around 600 spectators in attendance.
The Libertines have been the club’s main shirt sponsor since 2018. They also own a local hotel.
The 2025/26 away shirt drops tomorrow: a bold pink, teal & white design inspired by the town’s coastal spirit and cultural edge — with The Libertines still proudly front and centre.
Oh, and guess who’s starting for The Gate tomorrow… 👀@meybaofficial1 @margate_fc
— Libertines (@libertines) July 4, 2025
After 67 days away, it starts again today as welcome @tonbridgeangels for our first pre=season game.
Season Ticket Holders, plus those with a ticket to tonight’s @libertines gig at @DreamlandMarg gain FREE entry.
Kick-off is 2:45pm with gates opening at 1:30pm.
Come and… pic.twitter.com/FXXUteRUVD
— Margate FC (@margate_fc) July 5, 2025
Ready to make his @margate_fc debut tomorrow.
Join us for kick off at 2:45pm…..see you there. pic.twitter.com/U8MjxSWDJM
— Margate FC (@margate_fc) July 4, 2025
Getting warm pic.twitter.com/cPkgAJCj2H
— Margate FC (@margate_fc) July 5, 2025
Your first starting Xl for the opening pre-season fixture against @tonbridgeangels
Lets go boys pic.twitter.com/ptOByuyeBU
— Margate FC (@margate_fc) July 5, 2025
Margate FC’s chairman Ricky Owen, said, per the BBC News website: “It was fantastic, probably better than any of us imagined when we started putting this together.
“I’m not sure we saw the best of his footballing skills, I’m not sure he had long enough to kind of show what he was about on that side of things, but apparently he was a player back in the day in his younger days.
“But it was a fantastic way to kick off our pre-season, something different for our supporters, a bit of fun for our first game and it seemed to go down really well.
“The reaction on our socials, the reaction on The Libertines’ socials, speaking to people at the ground yesterday, reports from our media team as well, it’s just been positively received right across the board really.”
When questioned if the singer could potentially play for the club again, Owen replied: “Never say never. We’ll see.”
All set for kick-off pic.twitter.com/54WA3Og1kD
— Margate FC (@margate_fc) July 5, 2025
@margate_fc our new captain leads the boys out pic.twitter.com/hsw82Ooago
— MartinG (@MartinG1872) July 5, 2025
We hope you enjoyed making your debut @petedoherty yesterday. @libertines rocked Hartsdown Park yesterday before their sensational hometown gig at @DreamlandMarg last night.
A great day for our club, our town……..our home 💙💙 pic.twitter.com/Ardkms0A4F
— Margate FC (@margate_fc) July 6, 2025
MARGIT ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WY2LUucedW
— Libertines (@libertines) July 6, 2025
The living legend Mr Pete Doherty #10
🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/R7h6eXUUPB— RoundHeadedMoron🇬🇧 (@Rndheadedmoron) July 5, 2025
🔥 NEW AWAY KIT DROP 🔥
We’re proud to unveil our 2025/26 away shirt — a bold fusion of pink, teal, and cream, designed in partnership with iconic brand MEYBA 👕✨
Inspired by Margate’s creative coastal spirit and proudly backed by shirt sponsors The Libertines, this kit kicks… pic.twitter.com/0iAqcU9p8i
— Margate FC (@margate_fc) July 4, 2025
Social media users gave their reaction as Pete Doherty captains the non league side in a pre-season friendly then gets subbed within minutes…
@Sasha71ward: Love this @margate_fc 💙 When Football ⚽️ meets music 🎤🎸🎶 @libertines 👏
@jb101899277: We are so back!!! 💙💙
@MarcWilliams22:
“You win the toss Pete, what end?”
“The end where you don’t look back into the sun”
#getscoat
@Fitbawdiaries82: Pete Doherty playing football now I’ve seen everything now 😂😂😂😂
@garyslade1987: Free entry as well, bloody missed it 🤦♂️
@indierock01: How class is this 😂 Well in @margate_fc and @petedoherty
Dave Abel:
Position: Deep-lying Playmaker… who never quite lies deep.
Here’s the scouting report:
Stamina: Questionable. Needs a half-time cigarette and a poetry break.
Tackling: More likely to write a song about conflict than actually win the ball.
Vision: Exceptional… but mostly in a fog of existential musings.
Discipline: 3 red cards, 2 love letters, and 1 missing tambourine by the 70th minute.
Kit: Shirt untucked, collar up, scarf in summer, eyeliner inexplicably perfect.
Warming up with a harmonica, distracting the fourth official with Wilde quotes.
Tactical instructions include “express yourselves” and “don’t pass to the Tories.”
In short:
Position: Somewhere between midfield and Camden.
Go Pete! ❤️💡
@JacamoRed: Considering what his body has gone through and what he’s put in it, he is looking really well. Can’t wait to see them in a few weeks.
@safprojects0156: Definitely thought Pete was Man Of The Match. Sure I saw a couple of top scouts looking on in interest. Without doubt I can honestly say I have never seen a ‘Gate player wear a hat during a game. Will it catch on???? Good on you Pete. Hope you enjoyed it.
@TurnOffYourTvN1: There’s fewer more distressing sights than that of a football player in a trilby hat.
Jackie McArthur: We had a great time. My son really enjoyed his first football match and we got to meet Peter again too!!
Clare Boulding: I’m coming to watch just for the dude shaking Doherty’s hand! 🤤😍🤣
Tony Burrow: Top man and top band
Nikki Digit Turner: With his hat on!! 🤠. What a winner 😂😂👌🏻 xxx
