Margate families are calling on the City of Margate to protect our long‑standing grassroots youth soccer program and reject outside bids that threaten our children’s stability.
For decades, Margate United has been the heart of youth soccer in our community. It is a grassroots club built by Margate residents, supported by Margate families, and trusted by generations of players. Through its partnership with ACF, Margate United now provides advanced development pathways, including ECNL‑level opportunities, giving our children access to one of the highest‑level youth soccer platforms in the country.

Recently, the City voted to entertain an outside bid and use it as a blueprint for additional submissions. This decision does not reflect the wishes of Margate residents and would cause serious harm to our youth soccer community.

Why This Matters
Children would lose stability. Outside bids would disrupt teams, coaching relationships, and development pathways.
Parents would lose choice. Families would be forced into whichever club the City selects or leave Margate to find another program.
Our community identity would be damaged. Margate United is a homegrown club. Replacing it with an outside organization erases decades of community investment.
Existing high‑level opportunities would be lost. Margate United + ACF already provides ECNL‑level pathways, college exposure, and nationally recognized development standards.
Outside groups bring instability. They lack the long‑term commitment and community roots that Margate United has built over generations.

What We Are Asking
We respectfully request that the City of Margate:

Pause or reconsider the acceptance of outside bids for youth soccer programming.
Prioritize Margate United’s bid as the preferred and community‑supported option.
Commit to preserving continuity for Margate’s youth soccer players, ensuring no child is forced into a club they did not choose.

Our Community’s Voice
Accepting an outside bid would be catastrophic for Margate’s youth soccer players. It would fracture teams, disrupt development, and undermine a club that has served our city for decades.

Margate families overwhelmingly support keeping Margate United as our city’s youth soccer partner. We ask the city to stand with its residents, protect our children’s stability, and preserve the grassroots program that has shaped Margate’s youth for generations.

 
Sign This Petition
We, the undersigned, support Margate United as the official youth soccer program of the City of Margate and oppose the acceptance of outside bids.