WELCOME TO RAMSGATE
Ramsgate Football Club, formerly Ramsgate Athletic, have been playing at The WW Martin Community Stadium, Southwood since 1886.
The Rams enjoyed success in 1970s and competed in the Southern League Premier, the highest level of non-league football
Following relegation to The Kent League, Ramsgate won numerous league titles, league cups and county cups during the 90s before more success in the 2000s.
The League & Cup double in 2004-05 saw The Reds promoted to Isthmian Division One, which the Thanet side won at their first attempt to gain promotion to Isthmian Premier. More success followed with Ramsgate winning the Isthmian League Cup
The Rams fought for promotion to National South in 2008 before eventually losing out in the play-offs before relegation back to Step 4 in 2009.
Following a boardroom overhaul in 2019, the club reassessed its philosophy, alongside a merger of Thanet Colts and Thanet United.
The club centralised its position in the community with an emphasis on breaking down social barriers and improving social inclusion in Thanet. The Rams now have over 70 youth teams and more than ten sides in the women’s section. The “More Than Just a Football Club” mantra has the main focus of Ramsgate FC, with the club also running holiday programmes for local children, running a number of charity fundraising initiatives and promoting physical and mental wellbeing across Thanet.
The League’s Respect statement: “The Isthmian Football League strongly supports the Football Association’s statement that there should be a zero-tolerance approach against all forms of discrimination. Any inappropriate conduct toward others, including but not limited to that based on an individual’s sex, race, colour, weight, size, religion and belief, national origin, age, marital or domestic-partnership status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, will not be tolerated and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
The Isthmian League and our Member Clubs are committed to promoting equity and equality by treating all people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and providing access and opportunities for all members of our communities.”
CHAIRMAN’S CHATTER
Good afternoon and a warm welcome to our neighbours Deal Town today. I would also like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year.
I write these notes before the results of the festive period of matches are known. However, what we do know is that our season will not be defined by results over this period - although it is of course an important opportunity to accumulate points.
As a club, our form over the past few seasons has been extremely strong. We have been top at both Christmas and on New Year’s Day in each of the past two seasons. That strong form set up title deciding games in each season against Cray and Chatham, both of which resulted in narrow unfavourable results. We all know that in each season we then fell to play off semi final defeats in more incredibly tight games.
It’s worth noting that Cray Valley and Chatham sit 3rd and 4th in the Isthmian Premier League at the time of writing. This further demonstrates the strength of our league.
These are painful memories, but were extremely exciting times. At the start of every season, every club will tell you that they aim to be involved in the big fixtures of the season’s final month - and we have achieved that on each of the last three seasons.
Many will remember that we also missed out on the play offs by a point in 2022 with a very young side, headed up by Josh Ajayi’s brilliant form.
As a club over the last three seasons, I’ve watched us evolve from a club looking over our shoulder in the table to one always looking forward. The biggest lesson we have learnt in this period is to never be too high or too low and steadily accumulate the points required to be involved in the big days come April.
The next period of the season disappears very quickly, and I know just how much everyone at the club wants to bring those big days and nights to our fans again this season.
Back in the now, we have a huge derby day ahead of us and I’d like to congratulate everyone at Deal for their achievement in winning promotion last season that set up such an enjoyable event for us all today.
Enjoy the game,
Come on you Rams!
James Lawson
FROM THE GAFFER
A very good afternoon and welcome back to the WW Martin Community Stadium today. Firstly, I would like to wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year. It seems crazy to think we’re in 2025 now, but time stops for nobodyand the job for us continues in earnest starting today.
I’d also like to welcome Steve King, the players, officials and supporters of Deal Town here today. It’s great that there are so many local games in the league this season, and I’m sure it will only add to the atmosphere as we lock horns again.
The first game between us was a thoroughly entertaining affair back in August, and it was some occasion with a record crowd for Deal Town in attendance. We came away 4-2 victors that day and I was very pleased with how we finished the game. Putting in a complete performance across 90 minutes will be our aim this time though, and we will be doing all we can to achieve that and with it, hopefully, come away with three points.
2024 was an interesting year to say the least! I feel we have bounced back so well from the playoff heartbreak against Chichester, and a huge amount of credit has to go to the players and the coaches for their hard work and commitment.
We will continue to work as hard as we have been both on and off the pitch to try to ensure that this year we achieve our ultimate objective of promotion from this league. It won’t be easy and there may be some bumps along the way, but we know you’ll be with us to keep up your fantastic support every step of the way.
Enjoy the game!
CAPTAIN’S CORNER
Afternoon Rams fans,
Welcome to the first home match of 2025. It feels a bit surreal saying that, but we can’t wait to get going to hopefully start the new year with a bang.
First of all, I have to say a big thank you from all the players for the support we received in 2024. We had some huge occasions at the WWMartin Community Stadium, with the top of the table clash we had with Cray Valley played in front of a massive crowd being a great memory.
We can all expect some more big occasions in 2025 and it starts today against our neighbours from Deal. As player we will be doing everything to ensure you have plenty to sing and be happy about along the way!
We had a big crowd at their place earlier in the season, and it was a great game where we played good attacking football. We came away with three points that day, and we will be looking to do the same again today.
It’s rare to have so many local Kent derbies in the same season, so let’s make the most of them! It adds an extra spice to the matches and the boys definitely benefit from your support in these games, so get right behind us today!
All the best,
OCTOBER 24
NOVEMBER 24
9th
12th
23rd
30th
DECEMBER 24
1st
8th
15th
22nd
MARCH 25
8th
APRIL 25
25
25
TODAY’S VISITORS
Originally known as Deal Cinque Ports FC the club was formed in the early 1900s, changing its’ name in 1920 to Deal Town FC. Deals’ first matches were played in the Thanet League and the East Kent League.
In 1909 they joined the Eastern section of the Kent League. Following the disbanding of the Kent League in 1959, Deal became founder members of the Aetolian League. 1963 saw Deal elected to the Southern League, but after a torrid three seasons they moved onto the Greater London League. The 71/72 season saw the club return to the Kent League. Deal’s first Kent League championship came in 53/54, then after a long wait, the second was achieved in 99/00. They have been runners-up on two occasions, 88/89 and 98/99.
The club has reached the Kent League (now Southern Counties East Football League [SCEFL]) cup final on five occasions. Their first Final appearance came in 57/58 when they overcame Margate. Deal won their second League Cup in 81/82, this time defeating Erith & Belvedere. Their third appearance in the Final was 93/94, when they lost to Ramsgate. The Club lifted the cup for the third time in 98/99, defeating VCD Athletic. In 99/00, they reached the final, but did not contend it.
1997 saw the appointment of a new Chairman, in Roy Smith, whose ambitions both on and off the field lifted the Club. His decision to appoint a full-time manager in Tommy Sampson for the beginning of the 1998 season soon bore fruit. 98/99 saw the club achieve their best season. As well as their domestic achievements, Deal Town become the first team from Kent to lift the FA Vase, with their 1-0 victory at Wembley Stadium against Chippenham Town in front of a crowd of 20,083; the second biggest in the history of the competition.
With the majority of players leaving the club, it was again a case of rebuilding and consolidating. This time it fell to Derek Hares, who was promoted to first team manager at the start of the 03/04 campaign, and he remained in-situ until resigning in October 2013. Albie Barker became our next manager, until he resigned in January 2014 to be replaced by Paul Murray. Paul stood down to be replaced by Darren Anslow for the start of the 14/15 campaign, only for Darren to leave in early Sept; Dave Johncock then taking over until Jan 2015. Derek Hares took over the hotseat once more with Paul Murray as his assistant, and Steve King as coach.
After a long period of un-rest, season 15/16 saw a top half finish and an improvement on previous seasons; The 16/17 season was slightly disappointing in a 13th place finish, four places lower than the previous season, although it looked as though it was going to be significantly worse. The 4-2 home defeat to Erith Town at the end of January left the Hoops in 18th position in the table and facing a relegation battle, but the players responded by losing only two of their remaining 15 league games to ensure another mid-table finish.
17/18 saw improvement and a seventh-place finish before finishing 11th in 18/19. The following season ended early due to Coronovirus pandemic but not before The Hoops were able to embark on an impressive FA Vase run that only ended at the fifth round stage.
The 20/21 campaign also ended before it really got started, as Covid once again curtailed another season. In 21/22 the Hoops finished in 4th place, but the club also began building it’s infrastructure. At this same time, Derek Hares then stepped aside from the first team as Steve King took over the reigns, leading the club to 3rd place in 22/23, just one point off Phoenix Sports in the second-placed play-off position.
With an average crowd of 630 now coming through the Charles Ground in 23/24, Deal experienced one of their best seasons to-date. Having started poorly, with just one point from a possible nine, Deal Town went on to clinch the SCEFL title at home to near-by neighbours Lydd Town on the 13 th April 2024 with a 3-1 victory. The turning point, undoubtedly this season, being our 4-2 away victory over pre-season favourites Faversham Town, just before the turn of 2024.
Impressively, the club broke its’ home league attendance record three times this season; 1,086 vs Glebe (23/03/24), 1,422 vs Lydd Town (13/04/24) and finally on the last game of the season as we welcome 1,598 vs Stansfeld (27/04/24).
The Charles Ground, Deal
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