Give the Rams the support they deserve

Since losing 1-0 at home to Walton Casuals on 3^rd December, Ramsgate, who are one point clear of Horsham at the top of the Ryman League Division One table, are unbeaten in 15 league games and in that period have collected 34 points, writes Stephen McCartney.

If you include a 2-1 win over Dartford in the Kent Senior Cup and a 2-0 win over Lordswood in a friendly match, the Rams are in fact unbeaten in 17 games and have only lost three out of their 31 league outings.

Leading scorers are former Dover Athletic striker, Shaun Welford with 21, followed by Steffan Ball (13) and Shaun Suter (9).

And the club enjoyed a lucrative FA Cup run where they reached the first round proper, where they bravely went out 2-0 at Nuneaton Borough - a side that held Premiership side Middlesbrough to a draw later in the competition.

What must be pleasing club officials is the increase in attendance figures at Southwood Stadium, which is at the end of Prices Avenue, and only a fifteen minute walk from Ramsgate train station.

The club are the seventh best supported club in the division, with an average of 252 - behind Kent rivals Dover Athletic (872) and Tonbridge Angels (385).

The Angels’ visit to Southwood, which produced a thrilling 3-3 draw on the 2^nd January, attracted Ramsgate’s highest gate of the season when 449 fans were fully entertained.

Their last two league games, convincing wins over Molesey (7-1) and Lymington & New Milton (5-0) have attracted crowds of over 300.

With many Kent sides on their travels, let’s see a crowd of over 400 flock through the Southwood Stadium turnstiles tomorrow for their game against midtable Fleet Town.

Many rival supporters gave the Rams little chance to succeed in their debut campaign in Ryman League football, but with Jim Ward, a very successful manager, and his hardworking team - on and off the pitch - behind him, they have a very good chance of gaining promotion into the Ryman Premier League - and a lucrative Thanet derby with Margate is on the horizon.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk is covering tomorrow's game at Southwood Stadium where the Rams tackle midtable side Fleet Town (3pm).