Kentish Football 
Ward: I'll take Ramsgate up to the Conference (EXCLUSIVE) - Segregation details for the big game
At least 1,500 fans are flocking to Southwood Stadium tomorrow to see Ramsgate clinch promotion into the Ryman Premier League at the first attempt, writes Stephen McCartney.
Yes, “little old Ramsgate” as their manager Jim Ward describes them, are JUST ONE WIN away from securing AUTOMATIC PROMOTION into the Ryman Premier League.
But before the champagne corks start popping around the clubhouse they must beat Dover Athletic – a side hitting form at the right time.
Clive Walker’s men have collected 21 points from their last ten outings since they played out a drab goalless stalemate at arch-rivals Tonbridge Angels at the end of February.
They’re unbeaten in eight games and goalscoring machine James Dryden – starting his first game in four months – netted his 24th goal of the season (19 of them for Folkestone Invicta) during their 4-0 win over basement boys Corinthians Casuals in front of 905 delighted fans at Crabble yesterday.
Ramsgate took full advantage of a Good Friday, which saw title challenges Horsham only draw 1-1 at Whyteleafe.
But it needed a dramatic late winner from skipper Warren Schulz to secure all three points in the Rams’ 2-1 win at Leatherhead yesterday.
The ecstatic screams heard in Mike Green’s commentary on BBC Radio Kent when Warren Schulz netted his ninth goal of the season proved how much it meant to the fans of the Thanet club. They were watching Kent League football this time last year and are so close to the ultimate glory.
But Ward is not plotting the Rams Ryman Premier League survival next season – he wants to join Adrian Pennock and his Welling United side in the Nationwide Conference South.
Having attended Ramsgate pre-season friendly against Erith & Belvedere in the hot mid-July Southwood sun, the programme editor Stephen Redford wrote: “a new dawn for Ramsgate Football Club.”
But is this just the start of an adventure that will take this friendly club all the way?
”What’s even more funny Stephen, if we get promoted we are one step away from the Conference,” beamed Ward.
”What’s that all about? Little old Ramsgate – we’re certainly not big time Charlies.”
Ward, who guided the club to the Kent League double last season, added: “I keep saying this but I’m not really surprised. I’m surprised we’re first or second as I thought we’d be in the play-offs.”
“And if we get promoted I’ll be aiming for the play-off’s next year as well.
”It will be the target. We can’t afford day to day wages like the rest of the clubs but we can afford to put bonuses in there like we’ve done this season.”
Reflecting on their win at Fetcham Grove yesterday that put them three points clear of a Horsham side that host Burgess Hill Town tomorrow, Ward admitted: “Well, it wasn’t the prettiest game in the world but you’re not expecting pretty games at this time of the season.”They will certainly feel they’ve been hard done by, especially going down to ten men and hanging on for so long.
”But from Ramsgate’s point of view fair play to us for digging in and keep believing.
”It took a thunderbolt from Warren Schulz from three yards that hit the outside of the post and just fell over the line in the 91st minute.
”They weren’t happy. It had a draw written all over it. But we kept pressing, we don’t give up on anything do we?”
Ward has high hopes for the majority of his squad, and with their highest crowd of the season at Southwood Stadium expected, it’s just reward for chairman Richard Lawson.
”It’s worked out perfectly for my chairman,” said Ward. “We’ll welcome Dover tomorrow with exactly what we wanted to be at stake.
”We need three points to ensure promotion and they need three points to hang on in the play-off’s so it’s all to play for and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Ward is looking forward to his side beating a full-strength Whites side to secure promotion – something that will delight the ever-increasing Rams faithful.
”It’s massive. I’m looking forward to see what the day brings,” he said. “It’s also a good benchmark for Ramsgate as Dover are now full strength.
”They’re back to their full strength and the team they’ve got now would expect to win the league so lets see how we do against them.”
The Scot did praise Dover boss Walker especially coming through tough times with so many injuries to key players, including Dryden, Craig Cloke and Daniel Braithwaite.
”To be fair to Clive he’s had loads of injuries,” said Ward. “They're three massive players that they’ve lost for most of the season.
“I was in the same position as Clive when I was at Maidstone when I had as much money as I wanted strengthening the squad but no doubt Clive had the same problems as I did.
”You can’t always get the players from a higher league to come and play in your league.
“No doubt he’s gone to Conference players and all that but it is a problem. I couldn’t get players to play in the Kent League and he probably can’t get players to play in Ryman One.”
But what Ward currently has is a group of players that have grown up together – with a few additions – and the skies the limit for his locally based side.
Braodstairs resident Ward added: “It’s been great. I keep saying about these bunch of players six or seven of these lads could go all the way to the Conference with Ramsgate.
”They can take Ramsgate all the way to the Conference. We are just one step away from the Conference (South).
RAMSGATE GOALSCORINGS:
26 Welford, 14 Ball, 10 S. Vahid, 9 W. Schulz, 8 Suter, 7 O. Schulz, 7 Cory, 7 Yianni, 3 E.Vahid, 2 Denly, 1 Gregory, 1 Morris, 1 Laslett, 1 Munday, 1 Minchull, 1 Pettit, 1 Hill
DOVER ATHLETIC GOALSCORERS:
24 Dryden (19 for Folkestone Invicta), 17 Wilkins, 8 Tyne, 7 Humphrey, 7 Hogg, 6 Matata, 6 Smissen, 4 Spiller, 3 Rook, 3 Cloke, 2 Cumberbatch, 1 Skelton, 1 Clifford, 1 Hamshare, 1 Braithwaite
SEGREGATION DETAILS
Segregation measures have been implemented for the game with Dover Athletic fans having 60% of the stadium, according to Ramsgate secretary Martin Able today.
Each sets of fans will use their own set of turnstiles, with Dover Athletic fans, once inside, asked to filter towards the right hand side of the stadium, where they can watch the action from the Northern side of the pitch (opposite the dug-outs), the West Terrace (behind the goal at the far end) and the Western half of the main stand (up to the visiting officials seated section).
When entering the stadium, Ramsgate fans will filter towards the left, watching the action behind the goal at the near end of the stadium (Prices Park terrace) and the seats that go up towards the home officials seated section.
CAR PARKING
Providing the weather is fine, the training pitch along side the main pitch will be used for car parking.
It will be open from 12:30pm within the ground. This may be closed at 2:15pm so if you wish to park within the stadium please arrive early.
CLUBHOUSE
The clubhouse will be open from 12:15pm to both sets of supporters but no alcohol is allowed inside the stadium.ADMISSION
Turnstiles will open from 1:15pm. Admission prices are £7 (adults) and £3.50 (concessions). The match day programme costs £1.
The club advise all supporters to arrive at the ground as early as possible to prevent delays to the kick off.
* If you cannot attend the match www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be providing LIVE COVERAGE.
Ramsgate v Dover Athletic
Ryman League Division One
Easter Monday, 17th April 2006
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate
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