Ward: I'll support Stones over red-card appeal

Central defender Graham returns following a short spell in the Kent League with Herne Bay, while striker Ball has played for both Sutton United and AFC Hornchurch since leaving the Thanet club earlier in the year.

“We’re nearly there, Ramsgate,” Ward told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight. “We’re very close to being a good side, but we just needed a bit more stature and experience in my opinion. Both players fit that bill.”

Ward sold Ball to Sutton United earlier in the year so he could fulfil the striker’s wish to play Blue Square South football.

However, Sutton United were relegated back down to the Ryman Premier League and Ball moved to Essex side AFC Hornchurch on the eve of the new season, coming off the bench on the opening day of the season against his former club at Southwood Stadium.

“I didn’t want to lose Steffan, but he wanted to have a go in the Conference (South) with Sutton and I’m delighted to have him back,” said Ward.

Graham suffered heartbreak during his last match for Herne Bay on Tuesday night.

Barry Morgan’s side were knocked out of the FA Cup, going down 2-0 in their preliminary round replay at Chipstead, with Graham scoring an own goal at the end of the first period of extra time.

But Ward is pleased that Graham has re-signed for the Rams, after putting in a seven-day approach for him last week.

He said: “I’m pleased that he’s pleased. We tried a couple of players in the summer who didn’t quite fit the bill and now I’ve got room for another centre half and we know him well from old, so he’s ideal for that situation.”

Ward had around 22 players on his books during the summer and has since trimmed that squad, knowing that some players didn’t meet the grade for Ryman Premier League football.

“We gambled the fact that we took on board a lot of potential,” said Ward. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.”

Ward, however, refuted claims that Herne Bay is a nursery club for the Rams.

He explained: “They’ve had a few decent players in the last year or so and such a small county, isn’t it Kent?

“We pride ourselves on (signing local players and) Herne Bay is only ten minutes from Thanet.

“We let them have Kingy (striker Stuart King, which was Herne Bay‘s highest paid transfer fee) as well - what goes around comes around, doesn’t it?

For Herne Bay, meanwhile, they are sad to see Graham swiftly leave Winch’s Field.

The club issued the following statement on their website www.hernebayfc.net last night.

“Earlier this evening Will Graham rang chairman John Bathurst to say he has agreed terms and has signed for Ramsgate.

“This will be sad news to all Bay fans as Will had become a welcome familiar face at Winch’s Field.

“The club committee as well as most supporters wish Will all the best and good luck in Wardy’s (Jim Ward) multitudes.”

Graham added that he enjoyed his short stay at the club, saying: “I just wanted to say a big thank you to all the committee, the fans and especially Morgo, who has made me very welcome around the club in my short time at the club.”

Ramsgate lost their third successive home game on Tuesday night, going down 2-1 to their Kentish rivals Maidstone United.

The Stones were reduced to ten-men due to a red card for Nathan Paul for a tackle on Joe Dowley, but Ward is supportive of his former club.

Ward is backing Stones’ joint-manager Alan Walker if he wishes to appeal over Paul’s red card.

“Strange game,” said Ward. “We were better when it was eleven-versus-eleven.

“I spoke to Alan Walker and I’ve watched our video and I’ve told him if he wants to appeal, I will help him out with it.

“It was a 50-50 with Joe Dowley and from where I stood, he was right underneath the dug-out - it looked worse to what it was.

“I appealed at the time for a free-kick because I thought it was a free-kick and to be fair to the referee, it must have looked bad from where he was.

“But in my opinion, I’ve seen our club video and I think it was harsh for the guy to be sent off and I’ve told Alan Walker that if they want to use our video they’re more than welcomed too.”

Reflecting on their miserable home form - something that Ramsgate pride themselves is making Southwood Stadium into a fortress - Ward knows what the problem is.

“It’s a strange one because we must have one of the best away records in the league - we’re unbeaten away out of three,” he said.

“And of course we’ve got the worst at home - we’ve lost our three home games by the odd goal.

“Maybe I’ve got the pitch too good at Southwood - it’s wonderful. It’s the best playing surface we’ve played on.”

And he quipped: “Maybe I’ll dig it up and start again and go back to the long ball - we’ve played some good stuff on it.”

Defender Ashley Burton is expected to be out of action for three weeks after pulling his hamstring during the game against Maidstone United.

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

Visit Herne Bay's website: www.hernebayfc.net

Visit Maidstone United's website:  www.maidstoneunited.co.uk 

Wealdstone  v   Ramsgate
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 6^th September 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Grosvenor Vale, Ruislip, Middlesex HA4 6JQ