My chairman wants me to win the title, says Ward

Wednesday 13th May 2009

RAMSGATE boss Jim Ward says signing players in the calibre of Liam Quinn will assist the Thanet club to bounce back from relegation at the first attempt, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Rams’ rise up the league’s in recent years took a major blow last season as Ward’s men finished their campaign rooted to the foot of the Ryman Premier League table, finishing seventeen points adrift of safety.

But Ward, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk this afternoon, says he has been challenged to clinch promotion out of Ryman League Division One South at the end of next season.

“The chairman wants to win it,” said Ward.

“I see the target being no different from any other year, we’ll aim for the play-off’s. The target will be the play-off’s and if we win it (the title), great!”

Ward has today unveiled his first two summer signings.

Liam Quinn, 22, has penned a one-year contract following his arrival at new divisional rivals Whitstable Town, where he was captain.

Quinn is a versatile player and can play either at the heart of defence or in the middle of the park and Ward is delighted to have finally snapped up one of his long-term targets.

“He’s somebody I’ve been after,” said Ward. “I went for him about three years ago but he was at Dover (Athletic).

“I couldn’t get him out of Dover at the time and things move on and we’ve had a chance to get him this time so I went for him.

“He’s a great signing for us, he’s strength, he’s character and all that and he can play.

“I’ve signed him to play middle of midfield for me. I know he played centre half last year for Whitstable but I see him being a middle of midfield player for me.”

Ward also revealed that winger Rhys Lawson has been snapped up from Bulmers Cider Kent League side Herne Bay.

“He’s another one we’ve kept tabs on for a wee while,” revealed the Scot.

“He’s got pace in abundance, let’s see if he can bring it to the Ryman League now. He’s a bit untested but we’ll be giving it a go.”

Only left-back Grant Duff, 18, formerlly of Ebbsfleet United, Sittingbourne and Chatham Town, has parted company with the Southwood Stadium club.

And Ward revealed that he’s keeping departures to a bare minimum.

“No-body’s told me they want to leave,” he said. “We’ve spoken to a few of them and signed a few of them, dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s.”

Speaking about winger Lawson, Ward has a history of snapping up players from Herne Bay and turning home-grown players into key players.

“It’s time to build from within or we’ve got to nick other people and make them better players. It’s always been our policy to do that and that won’t change.”

Ward believes next season will be much happier for the Southwood faithful, who saw their side win eight and drawn eleven of their 42 league games last term.

“We’ve set our stall out to (bounce back),” he said. “I wouldn’t sign players with the capabilities of Liam Quinn and he wouldn’t sign if he didn’t think we’ll be doing that.”

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