Kent County League side Ashford rebrand themselves to Ramsgate Athletic in order to galvanise the public support from the local Thanet community

ASHFORD have controversially changed their name to Ramsgate Athletic from next season in order to gain local support from the local Thanet community. 

The Kent County League Premier Division side have changed their venue from Hythe Town’s Reachfields Stadium to Ramsgate’s Southwood Stadium, when the new season gets underway in August.

A club statement said: “As from season 2024-25, Ashford FC has agreed a groundshare agreement with Ramsgate FC and all home games and training will be on the new artificial pitch at Ramsgate.

“This is a significant achievement for the club, especially with the all-weather advantages of an artificial surface which will pay immense dividends in forthcoming future fixtures.

“A name change of the club to Ramsgate Athletic was sough for the 2024-25 season in order to galvanise the public support from the local Thanet community.

“This name change resurrected the original Ramsgate name which was in use up to 1972.”

Ashford finished in eleventh-place in the eleventh-tier division, having picked up 37 points (11 wins, four draws and 15 defeats) from their 30 games.

Ashford, now Ramsgate Athletic, are not to be confused by Ashford United, who play at Homelands Stadium, in the eighth-tier Isthmian League South East Division.

Ramsgate Athletic open their sixth-match pre-season campaign with a trip to Bocca Juniors on Saturday 6 July, before welcoming Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division side Lordswood to their new venue on Tuesday 16 July.

The move is very similar to K Sports, who have chaanged their name to Sheppey Sports, having moved from Cobdown in Aylesford to Sheppey United's Holm Park stadium next season.

Meanwhile, FC Revo, who claimed the Kent County League Division Three Central & East title last season, begin the search for a new manager.

The side play their home games at St Gregory's School, Reynolds Lane in Tunbridge Wells and won 17 of their 20 league games last season.

The club state their new manager "will inherit a title-winning squad, requiring just a couple of additions over the summer, along with the support of a proactive commitee."

The new manager must be available for Tuesday night training sessions and Saturday afternoons for matches and can submit their applications via the club's X (formerly Twitter) account.