Ramsgate relish visit from Margate - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

Richard Lawson has paid tribute to Ramsgate’s home grown players for helping the club rise through the leagues during the past three years, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Ramsgate chairman welcomes local rivals Margate for the mouth watering “Battle of Thanet” on Boxing Day.

A crowd of up to 2,000 emotionally charged fans are expected for the Southwood Stadium showdown as both Thanet clubs lock horns in league action for the first time in 33 years.

“Well, the whole town, both Margate and Ramsgate are talking about it,” Mr Lawson said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk after Ramsgate’s 1-0 win over Staines Town on Saturday.

“There really is a buzz around the area now because we’ve never, never played Margate on equal footings really and if we beat them we go ahead of them, if they beat us they stay ahead of us - it’s so finely poised, it’s fantastic.”

Michael Yianni’s 38^th minute strike helped Ramsgate defeat the Swans at the weekend to remain in fifth place in the Ryman Premier League table, whilst Danny Hockton’s 25^th goal of the season, from the penalty spot, secured a 1-1 draw for Margate at Ashford Town (Middlesex).

Margate are sitting in second place, level on points with leaders Chelmsford City and go into the clash just two points ahead of Ramsgate.

Mr Lawson has seen the club clinch back-to-back championships, winning the Kent League and Ryman League Division One South and are currently in the last Ryman Premier League play-off berth.

Conference South football next season? “We’ll it’s a possibility,” replied Mr Lawson.

“Obviously we’re one of the smaller teams trying to get that play-off spot but we’re just holding our own at the moment.

“Hopefully just coming out of a little sticky patch, and as I say, we’re really looking forward to Boxing Day.”

Ramsgate added the impressive Akwasi Edusei to their squad on Saturday, and the 20-year-old former Gillingham and Welling United striker impressed out on the left flank.

Mr Lawson was pleased that manager Jim Ward persuaded the player to join the club, but he praises the nucleus of home grown players that used to play for the club in the Kent League.

Speaking about their rapid rise through the leagues, Mr Lawson added: “It’s the youth, it’s our youth policy, most certainly.

“Most of the lads have been with us since they were kids. We’ve got a good stream of youngsters coming through and as you see were not frightened to get some of the bigger, and more well known players.”

Manager Ward, whose seen only Kent rivals Tonbridge Angels win a league game at fortress Southwood Stadium, is hoping that Lee Minshull recovers from his knee injury to play in the big game.

“It’s another rung in the ladder,” said Ward. “If you think about it, we’ve come from the Kent League, and no disrespect to the Kent League, obviously we’ve missed a league, and a division out.

“We’ve missed the Ryman League One out, we’ve beat them, all them big clubs, your Dover’s, Tooting & Mitcham’s, Dulwich Hamlet’s, the list goes on and on, and we won that league and deservedly so. I thought we were the best team in it.

“We’ve come into this division and Margate, who are doing very well this year, they're in the top two at the moment.

“They’ve turned the corner for themselves because they’ve come down a couple of divisions over the last couple of years and all of a sudden Ramsgate find themselves playing Margate on Boxing Day.

“Four years ago if anybody had said that you would have got put away like. It’s amazing and we go into the game opened eyed, give them all the respect they deserve but we go there to beat them.

“People keep asking me if we can get promoted to the Nationwide Conference South, and I say “well, why not!”

“Nobody’s frightened us to death, we’ve had some four-nil and that against us, but nobody’s battered us. Nobody’s embarrassed us and we’re up there with them.

“We’re in the play-off’s but what I do know nobody wants to come here and play Ramsgate. I know that.”

Due to the Christmas break we were unable to contact Margate manager Robin Trott.

SUPPORTERS INFORMATION:

The match will be segregated as recommended by Kent Police.

The football club gates open at 11am

Due to the number of supporters expected there will be very limited parking within the football club grounds. Do not arrive close to the 1pm kick off and expect to be able to park in the club grounds - the gates will be closed for parking once the football club is full.

Do not leave it until 1pm to buy a ticket as the game may be sold out

Turnstiles will open at 11:30am and admission to Southwood is: £8 (adults), £5 (concession) and £2 (children under 12).

There will be queues at the turnstiles, particularly as there is segregation - so please arrive early.

The match is NOT ALL TICKET and there will be plenty available at the turnstiles.

The Rams’ club is open from 11am but there will be no alcoholic drinks allowed in the stadium.

Ramsgate are expected to open their new directors lounge for the visit of their local rivals.

Sadly www.kentishfootball.co.uk are unable to get to Southwood Stadium as there aren’t any trains that get to Ramsgate (from Tunbridge Wells). If you can help call us now on 07979 418 360.

Visit club websites:

www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk

www.margate-fc.com

Ramsgate v Margate
Ryman Premier League
Boxing Day, Tuesday 26^th December 2006
Kick Off 1:00pm
At Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN