Ramsgate manager nominated for prestigious BBC Sports Award - EXCLUSIVE

Proud Ramsgate manager Jim Ward is on the verge of collecting another accolade next month, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Scottish, former Maidstone United manager, has been nominated for manager of the year award at the BBC South East Sports Award ceremony.

The event takes place at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium on Monday, 4^th December 2006.

Ward said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk:  “The event will be a celebration of sport across the south east and it will be a memorable occasion.”

And Ward paid tribute to his assistant, brother Danny, and everyone at the Southwood Stadium club.

He said: “As you know I’m only the figurehead. It’s absolutely fantastic for Ramsgate Football Club.

“Me and Danny have taken this club to tremendous lengths and for us to be nominated for an award like this is great.”

A win over Carshalton Athletic at Colston Avenue on Saturday will put Ramsgate at the summit of the Ryman Premier League table after 14 games into the season.

The Rams were playing Kent League football just two years ago, winning back-to-back championships as they earnt a place in the Ryman Premier League this season.

If they secure promotion again this season, the club will be just one league below the Nationwide Conference.

“What can you say? We go there, how can we be going there, and people seem we have a great chance of winning there,” said Ward.

“They are a massive club, but we go there positive and try to get the three points.”

But Ward added that he’d settle for a top five spot to qualify for the end of season play-offs.

“I take fifth now,” he said. “If you offer me fifth I’ll bite your hand off.”

Stuart Vahid is the only player that has been ruled out their trip to Colston Avenue with ankle and knee problems.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk would like to congratulate Jim Ward and everybody at Ramsgate Football Club for being nominated for such a prestigious award.

Carshalton Athletic v Ramsgate
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 11^th November 2006
Kick Off 3:00pm
At War Memorial Sports Ground, Colston Avenue, Carshalton, Surrey SM5 2PW