Ryman League Cup Final: Ramsgate chairman ready to step down after 20 years at the helm - EXCLUSIVE

The Rams travel to Dartford’s Princes Park Stadium for the very first time on Wednesday night to lock horns with AFC Sudbury, a side that’s giving Dartford a run for their money in the Ryman League Division One North title race.

A crowd of over a thousand is expected at the £6.5m stadium in north Kent, a venue for such occasions, with four coaches making the 120 mile round trip from Thanet.

“We’re taking at least four coach loads up to Dartford so we’ll take at least a couple hundred supporters to it,” Ward said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

"People say they don’t want to be in the League Cup, but I bet they all want to be in it on Wednesday night.”

AFC Sudbury, six points behind the Darts with two games in hand, arrive at Princes Park in good form in this competition, having already dumped three Premier sides out en-route.

A side that defeat Billericay Town (3-0); Chelmsford City (2-1) and thrashed Heybridge Swifts 6-0 in the semi-finals, must be respected.

“I’ve seen them last week when they got beat (3-1) at Bury Town, they’re a good side, don’t worry about that,” warned Ward.

“It was a good game of football, both sides are good sides.

“We know as much about them as any side in the Ryman League. We’ve picked up their strengths and weaknesses, everything that they do.”

Despite Sudbury’s impressive results in this competition and in their league, Ward’s men are up for the battle.

And Sudbury losing at the home of their title rivals in the Ryman League Cup Final could be a physiological boost for Tony Burman’s Darts.

But everybody at the Thanet club are looking forward to their big night out.

“It’s a major achievement for Ramsgate Football Club,” said Ward. “We’re certainly going to go there to win it, without a doubt.

“Players, supporters, committee are looking forward to it - it’s a big day out for the club.

“A couple of years ago we won the Division One South title. They’re no different to what we are. Sudbury will hold their own in the Ryman Premier, this is a good side that we’re playing against and they beat us in the FA Trophy last season.

“We’ve had big games in the past. Quarter-finals in the FA Vase, but this is a massive game for us. The biggest thing for Ramsgate to win, if we’re lucky enough to win it.”

Ramsgate chairman Richard Lawson, meanwhile, believes this will be the biggest day in the club’s history.

And Mr Lawson, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk following the Rams' 1-0 win over Margate on Easter Monday, says this could well be his last campaign at the helm at Southwood Stadium.

“For me that’s probably the biggest day in the club’s history,” he said of Wednesday’s date at Dartford.

“It’s the biggest Cup final I think the football club has ever had a chance of winning and fingers crossed we go on and win it.

“We’ve got an away support, we’ve got great support anyway, there’s just not enough of it normally, but everyone’s all behind the football club, all behind the team, they’ll be signing their hearts out - it will be a great night!

Speaking about his future, Mr Lawson, coming to the end of his 20^th season at the helm, would like to win the Ryman League Cup - as well as finishing above Thanet neighbours Margate in the Ryman Premier League table.

“If I’m honest if we finish above Margate in or near the play-off’s, win a Cup Final, they’d be no better time to go for a personal point of view,” said Mr Lawson.

“But I’m talking to the committee and we’re sort of re-organising things for next year so we’ll see what happens.

“I think on a personal point of view you really can’t do much better for Ramsgate Football Club so personally it would be the right time to leave.

“But if leaving means the football club won’t survive or we’d have problems then it probably won’t happen.”

Originally, Mr Lawson was only going to be chairman for three years, but the Southwood Stadium outfit have certainly come a long way, especially during the last three seasons.

During this period, the Rams have clinched the Kent League title, the Ryman League Division One South title at the first attempt, a place in the first round of the FA Cup and are now in a Ryman League Cup Final.

And Mr Lawson added: “I’m very proud with what (the club) has done. The support we get, the players’, you just can’t beat what we’ve done, it’s been absolutely fantastic!”

Ramsgate secretary Mr Martin Able is looking forward to viewing the facilities on show at Princes Park Stadium.

Posting on the club’s forum at www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk , he said: “This will be my first visit to Princes Park. I’ve heard good things and it will be nice to see what sort of a stadium a supportive council can provide.”

MATCH ARRANGEMENTS:

Admission prices have been confirmed as being £9 (adults), £5 (concessions) and £1 (under 14s).

Kick off is at 7:45pm

Ramsgate will be wearing all red - a new kit produced for the Ryman League Cup Final

Turnstiles open at 6:45pm

The Princes Road terrace is expected to be closed, leaving three sides available for fans

Extra-time and penalties will be needed if scores are level after 90 minutes

Although smoking is not permitted in any part of the stadium, at half-time the gates are opened for supporters to go outside for a smoke

Fans are unable to view the game from the bar

www.kentishfootball.co.uk shall be providing LIVE UPDATES of the game (*subject to internet connection)

MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Mr Matthew McLaughlin (Luton, Bedfordshire)
Assistants: Mr Paul Kelly (Gillingham, Kent) & Mr Charles Breakspear (Walton-on-Thames, Surrey)
Fourth Official: Mr Carl Berry (Cheam, Surrey)

AFC Sudbury v Ramsgate
Ryman League Cup Final
Wednesday 2^nd April 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Princes Park Stadium, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT

ROUTE TO THE FINAL