Purcell will help us climb the table, says Ward

RAMSGATE boss Jim Ward is confident that on-loan striker George Purcell will lift the club out of their current predicament, writes Stephen McCartney.

Ward travelled to Stonebridge Road last night to discuss terms with Ebbsfleet United boss Liam Daish and Purcell - snapping up the 20-year-old on loan.

With midfielder Lee Minshull’s move officially confirmed by Tonbridge Angels today, Ward has snapped up the pacy striker, who has featured in 20 Blue Square Premier games for the Fleet this season.

Purcell, who sat on the bench during The Fleet’s greatest ever day, the FA Trophy Final win over Torquay United at Wembley Stadium last May, scored two goals for the Fleet against the Rams in their victory in the Kent Senior Cup last season.

Purcell was spotted playing in the Gravesend youth leagues by Gillingham and went through the youth ranks at Priestfield Stadium. Despite being released in the summer of 2006, he signed for the Fleet following a successful trial.

A skilful and pacy left-winger or striker, Purcell established himself more in the side during 2007-08, having enjoyed a handful of run-outs in the Conference the year before.

Although he hasn’t featured in the Fleet’s last three games, Purcell has already spent time on loan in the Ryman Premier League with tomorrow’s opponents Heybridge Swifts last season.

And Ward, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, whilst cooking, hopes the player will provide food for thought for the Essex side tomorrow, in what can only be described as a must-win game.

“Well, it’s somebody we’ve been after for a long time, as other clubs have been after him, and luckily enough, Ramsgate have got him,” said Ward.

“He’s a young lad, very ambitious, he sees it as another stepping stone for himself and it gets him back playing games.”

Ramsgate want Purcell to make an instant impression against basement boys Heybridge Swifts at Southwood Stadium tomorrow.

And when asked about Purcell’s future, remembering the player is a full-time professional at Stonebridge Road, Ward replied, “It’s early days yet, the lad doesn’t know us and we don’t know him, so it’s all very early.

“He’s been on loan before, he went to Heybridge Swifts last year, so he knows what it’s all about.

“I went up to the (Ebbsfleet United-Burton Albion) game last night, he’s a very level-headed young lad. We just talked about his future, playing for Ramsgate Football Club, and he’s looking forward to it, getting games and helping Ramsgate out of the predicament that we’re in. We’re very excited that we’ve got him.”

Meanwhile, defender Tom Wynter is expected to play his last game for the club tomorrow as his loan deal with Gillingham expires afterwards. Ward has, however, added Desmond Byrne to his squad.

Born in Dublin in 1981, Byrne is a former trainee with Stockport County and represented the Repulic of Ireland at under-16, under-18 and under 21 level.

Back in August 2002, he joined first division side Wimbledon from Dublin’s St Patrick Athletic for £100,000 and the left-footed defender had also spent time out on loan with Cambridge United, when they were in the Football League.

Ward kept quiet about the players pedigree, so a Google search highlighted a very promising career, but he did add, “Very exciting, very exciting. I can tell you loads about him, but you won’t believe me.”

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

Ramsgate v Heybridge Swifts
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 14^th February 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN