I'd be the first to admit that we haven't scored enough goals, says Ramsgate boss Tim Dixon

RAMSGATE manager Tim Dixon says he feels disappointed that his side have missed out on the all-Kent Ryman League Division One South play-offs.



The Rams finished in seventh-place in the table on 70 points (20 wins, 10 draws and 12 defeats) following their 1-0 win at Sittingbourne yesterday.

Striker Ian Pulman, 28, scored the only goal of the game, the last one to be played at Bourne Park.

Dixon said yesterday that he was pleased for Neil Cugley, after his Folkestone Invicta side grabbed the final play-off berth, finishing in fifth-place, just a point above the Rams.

Folkestone Invicta will travel to runners-up Maidstone United in the play-off semi-finals, whilst third-placed Faversham Town host Hythe Town at Salters Lane in the other tie, both on Tuesday night.

It guarantees that there will be a third Kent club in the Ryman Premier League next season along with Cray Wanderers and Margate – after Dulwich Hamlet clinched a deserved promotion after finishing a point clear of Maidstone United.

Dixon said: “It just says a lot about Kent football and we’re unlucky not to get in there as well.

“It’s a fantastic achievement by the Kent clubs considering the amount of derbies they have.  The result could go either way. 

“I think it’s great for Kent football at the moment with Welling winning the Conference (South), Dover possibly going up with them (via the play-offs).  Tunbridge Wells are in the FA Vase Final. There’s just a host of clubs doing well.  Kent football is really, really strong at the moment.”

Dixon revealed yesterday that he will sit down with chairman Richard Lawson to prepare for next season.

Dixon said: “I’ve already started planning.  We’ve got to talk to the lads in the next couple of weeks and see where they want to go. I certainly like to keep most of them.”

Ramsgate scored 60 goals and conceded 44 during their 42 league matches and Dixon knows where he needs to strengthen for next season.

He said: “I’ve been after a centre forward all year to be honest with you to relieve Ian Pulman of the burden of goals. Last year it was most vital that I’ve shored up the defence. I think we’ve got one of the meanest in the league other than Dulwich and Maidstone.

“I’d be the first to admit that we haven’t scored enough goals.  If we did we’d be where Hythe and Faversham are at the moment but it wasn’t to be.

“Small steps.  We’ve laid the foundations. We’re trying to do the right things.  We’ve followed the same philosophy and I’m hoping we can continue that next year.”

Reflecting on the campaign, Dixon said: “The campaign started very slowly but we’ve picked up. We’ve had some good form towards the end of the season, got some great results away from home. Our away form has been tremendous. Our early season home form was shocking and that’s the reason why we haven’t made the play-off’s really.

“Consistency in the early days in the season has cost us and we know that, the players know that and we have to address that and be consistent over the 40 odd games or 50 games including cups during the season, rather than just the end of the season.”

Dixon revealed he will take a big interest in the promotion race and Dover Athletic’s attempt to reach the Conference Premier along with champions Welling United.

Dover Athletic travel to Eastleigh for their play-off semi-final first leg on Tuesday night, with the return leg at Crabble next Saturday.

Dartford and Welling United can look forward to visits from Barnet and Aldershot Town, who were relegated from League Two on a dramatic final day of the season.

Whether Dutch superstar Edgar Davids is prepared to manage Barnet in the Conference Premier next season remains to be seen.

Dixon said: “We’ve got the play-offs to enjoy now and I’ll be watching Dover or Hythe and Faversham.  I think I’ll lend my support.  Obviously I’ve got no favourties. I know a lot of the players in both teams and I wish both of them the very best.”

Ramsgate’s players enjoyed a night at Sittingbourne greyhounds last night to raise funds for legendary midfielder Warren Schulz.

The 34-year-old was named as an unused substitute at Sittingbourne because he has picked up a rib injury and Dixon paid tribute to the player, who joined the club from local football nine years’ ago and has enjoyed the good times and gone through the dark days at Southwood Stadium.

“He missed out which was a shame. It would’ve been nice to end the season with him being involved but it wasn’t to be,” said Dixon.

“We’ve got a night at the dogs to raise a little bit of money for Warren. He’s been fantastic for Ramsgate.  What Ryan Giggs has done at Manchester United, he’s done exactly the same at Ramsgate so he should get a lot of recognition for it because you don’t get that loyalty in football these days.”

Visit Ramsgate’s website: www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk