Remember, it’s a great way to bring vital funds into the Club, and also have a chance of getting a little (or large) something back. Of course, you need to be in it to win it, so if you’re not one of the lucky ones you need to get some tickets (or more if you already have some).

Details are under the Sponsorship Pages above or contact Paul Pritchard on 07876-643278 -another great way to support your local team.

Kicking off with news that Gillingham duo Bradley Dack and Jack Parter (pictured left and right of Wardie respectively) will be joining the Rams on loan for the rest of the season, Ward shared some insight into the history behind the deal and told us ‘The Chairmen and I both went up to Welling to watch them play in the Kent Senior Cup when the Wings played against the Gills. It was mainly Gillingham’s youth, both these lads played and both acquitted themselves really well on the night. When I was offered them, and everyone knows our squad’s low, I welcomed them’. With both players coming from the Priestfield Youth set-up the manager stated that he had ‘no adversity against playing anybody who’s young – who’s good enough!’ When asked about the two players Ward told us that ‘Jack Parter is an attacking full back who plays right back or left back, plenty of energy, likes to get up and down the line and crosses a good ball’ whilst ‘Bradley Dack is an attacking, busy midfield player who likes to put a tackle in and he likes a goal’ – in fact Dack is currently the leading goalscorer in South East Division of the Youth Alliance (13 in that league – 20 in all competitions / levels this season).

The Rams’ Boss also confirmed that both players would go straight into the squad for Saturday’s match – along with the welcome returns of Tom Chapman, Pascal Ebigbo and Gareth Cornhill. Last Saturday Chapman had been representing his school side, scoring another hat-trick in their cup semi-final victory. Ebigbo has completed his recent suspension but would have missed the games through back injury, although he is over this now, and Cornhill had been absent last week due to his young baby being ill. Revealing that captain Liam Quinn was almost an absentee last week through a similar reason he continued with compassion ‘My feelings go out to both of them. They’ve both got young families and both have been very ill recently … but they’re both strong people and they’re both up for selection this Saturday’. Regarding broken toe victim Warren Schulz JW said that he was about a month away from training and confirmed that any return to fitness and the first team squad for ‘Wazza’ this season would be a bonus to the team.

Jim also shared news of a phone call from recently departed Peter Wedgeworth’s mother who had called on behalf of the family, saying that it was a real shame that he lived so far away as Peter and both his parents loved his time with the club. They had asked Jim to pass on their thanks to the management and supporters who had treated them all with open arms during Peter’s time with the Rams.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s match against Dulwich ‘dour’ was certainly not a word on Ward’s tongue this week. He commented that Hamlet manager Gavin Rose ‘has slowly but surely built his team up and they’re a bit unfortunate with (the success of) Whitehawk and Bognor’. He continued, explaining that he had always had close links and a respect for Dulwich, their Chairmen and Managers, and complimented them on an excellent youth set-up. ‘They’re great people and they run their club properly – They (the first team management) are managers of the under eighteens as well and that’s why they bring so many players through’. With big players like Francis Duku and Peter Adeniyi whom Ward had tried to sign for the Rams during his first spell in charge the boss said he was ‘looking forward to it – it’s always a great game … We didn’t deserve to get beat there this year and I don’t think we’ll get beat Saturday’. With the return of the previously mentioned trio and the addition of the two Gillingham youngsters the management feel the squad is looking strong again and hopefully the supporters will be sharing his enthusiasm on Saturday.

Richard Lawson confirmed: “Football dominates on-line gaming and typically represents over two thirds of the industry’s total sports betting revenue. This is reflected by the interest of our own supporters, and those of other clubs in the non-league game, where fans and the wider local communities are keen to support their local club. Two of the key advantages of the new scheme being rolled out by Worldlink and Betbutler are that you can place a bet via the internet or your mobile phone through your club’s unique Betbutler portal, and not only get the guaranteed best odds available for your bet but at the same time benefit your local club and charities.”

“The scheme ensures that a winning bet pays out at the guaranteed best available odds, and a generous 20% of any net losing bets go directly to your chosen club. In addition, in the course of a year special charity days are to be nominated and some of the net proceeds, after paying the 20% to the club, will go to the Charity. It is a unique concept for a bookmaker to share profits with a partner in this way.”

Lawson continued: “We are a small and successful club, not only running the first team but also 20 other teams through the Club.  Like all clubs we are constantly looking to increase our revenue streams and when we were approached by Worldlink with this shared revenue proposition, it seemed too good to be true. We have examined every angle and have come to the conclusion that if we can reach out to regular betters who either support the Club or the Town, then we will be able to generate reliable income streams which could make all of the difference to the aspirations of the Club.  We are piloting the system and we will be marketing the service to all of our supporters and will see what the response is.  Importantly supporters now have an opportunity to help fund their local club without paying out any more money than they already do. Why wouldn’t any supporter want to take advantage of the scheme knowing all the good work local clubs do?”

“At the very least the revenue generated should ensure that Clubs can cover everyday incidental expenses such as rent, rates, utilities etc and should mean that the amount of Clubs going out of existence will reduce dramatically. I really do believe that this scheme could revolutionise the running of non league football and in my 22 years as Chairman there has never been a better opportunity to create a sustainable income stream for the Club.  This will be a lifeline to many of the Clubs out there struggling to make ends meet, and for the wealthier teams it will be a welcome windfall to help them progress.”

This application will be rolled out commercially in January 2012 with Worldlink and Betbutler merging their respective technologies to provide a unique opportunity to give the best prices for the betting community on any sport in any country in real-time and delivered and operated from their mobile devices.

Ahead of the roll-out in 2012, the two companies are already in the process of releasing the combined application for PCs and mobiles with Ramsgate FC. The partnership with Ramsgate exemplifies the shared revenue partnership and the responsibilities of each of the organisations in that partnership. Worldlink provide the mobile device orientated platform, and Betbutler provide the access to all of the best odds available on sporting events around the World.

Neil Riches, MD of Worldlink (pictured with Richard Lawson) added: “When we applied for and were awarded our patents, we never envisaged such a wide use and diverse applications that could bring revenues to small and large organisations. Whenever you speak to a sports’ governing body or foundation it is clear, in my opinion, that the companies that make a lot of money out of sports betting hardly give anything back to the sport. In addition to this, the Government is struggling to support ‘grass root’ sports due to the economic decline that somebody just had to step in. This initiative has done just that. The whole of the community involved, in all sports, are protected by our patents. Coupled with the ‘best price’ and people in the relevant sport assisting us it is a truly enlightening initiative.”    

Andy Naylor, MD of Betbutler, couldn’t make yesterday’s launch, but has gone on record saying: “Through our unique service we can provide the best odds that people can get for a vast number of sporting events around the World.  It is estimated that each person betting regularly will lose about £100 per month, so if 1,000 supporters can be persuaded to do their betting through the Club website then a fifth of the £100,000 pounds lost could go to the club each month providing much needed revenue for the club, not only during the season, but through the Summer as well.”

To take advantage of the new service, and Win With the Rams, you can register on our portal by clicking on the Ad panel to the right (or visiting http://ramsgate.betbutler.co.uk)

The first half wasn’t as goal heavy as expected however but within time Tammy Pile-Gray knocked the ball past the home ‘keeper to get the Rams going. It seemed that leading scorer Tiff Routledge must have had different boots on as however and wherever she hit the ball it just wouldn’t end up in the net. At the other end Gravesham made an attack which resulted in a corner. The resulting cross came in only for goalkeeper Ashley Bantges to knock it into the net from an awkward bounce to level the score at one a piece. Just before the end of the second half Tammy found the net again from going one on one with the keeper to slot it into the corner to make it 2-1 to the Rams.

Sophie Turner replaced Rachel Coll at half time and with Tiff getting a confidence boost from her team mates telling her it would come together for her in the second half the goals duly started she started to fly in the goals, which is what she does best – scoring five times in the second half. Kara Richardson made some superb runs down the wing to find Tammy a few more times to add to her list of goals – netting a brace in each half and the Reds ran dominant as the match continued. Captain Amy ‘Peanut’ Robinson might not keep up the scoring totals of the strikers but when she does weigh in with her share they’re usually something special and she once again obliged with two goals fitting of the occasion. First she scored a cracking goal from the edge of the box and then added another from her own corner that saw it curl all the way in. Midfielder Jess Smith controlled the centre of the pitch as well as assisting both strikers and defence when needed and was deservedly nominated as player of the match for her efforts. With Gravesham tiring their tackling become sloppy with Kara in particular taking some knocks. However she did well to ride the challenges and find the back of the net herself. Gravesham had another chance towards the end but the Ramsgate defence stayed strong to deny them another goal.

Ramsgate, who currently occupy second slot in the league, will now face leaders Long Lane Ladies in the final and with their opposition favourites to take the league title to South East London Ricky Ling’s team will be eager to take at least one trophy back to Southwood at the end of this impressive season. With honours even in the two matches between the two sides this season (each winning their home match) the final should prove an exciting affair whatever the outcome and details of the date and venue will be posted on the official website as soon as they are confirmed.

Ramsgate Team  :  Ashley Bantges, Gemma Vass, Jennifer Caraccio, Melanie Tsangarides, Janine Judd, Rachel Coll (Sophie Turner 46), Amy Robinson (C), Jessica Smith, Kara Richardson, Tiffany Routledge, Tammy Pile-Gray

Scorers  :  Routlegde 5, Pile-Gray 4, Robinson 2, Richardson 1

Player of the Match  :  Jessica Smith (chosen by the opposition)

In the East Kent Youth League the Under 14s’, Under 13s’ and Under 12s’ games were all cancelled owing to pitch conditions. The EKYL Under 18s and Under 16s are without games today.

Kent Youth League Teams

The Under 18s travelled to southeast London to play Long Lane in the County Cup. Despite a good display the Rams were knocked out 2-1, the Rams’ goal coming from Tom Chapman.

The Under 16s  needed three point to return to the top of the table in this home fixture against an in-form Whitstable Town, and with the lads looking to put last week’s County Cup quarter final exit at Rusthall behind them, for the first twenty minutes on a soggy pitch at the Ellington & Hereson School they did just that. The Rams camped in the Whitstable half and peppered the area, causing mayhem for the visitors’ defence, and it wasn’t long before Kane Rowland had the the simplest of tap ins on the goal line after a Dylan Hawkins run from the left finished with a superb ball in that him. Shortly after Hawkins found himself in plenty of room and made the usually watertight Whitstable defence pay, taking on two defenders, and although found himself facing away from goal with defenders all around managed to turn and fire for goal on his weaker foot to put the Rams two up. The centre midfield duo of Jack Granger and Josh McAteer continued to win possession and pass the ball out left, and good link play between Hawkins and Jordon Box at left back continued to keep the game flowing in favour of the Rams and once again Hawkins scored before the break with another great run in from the left. The break saw the exit of Hawkins due to illness and the team had to be restructured, and although the Rams never added to their first half goal tally, Granger and Ben Munday both came close. Matt Bugg was unlucky to have an excellent goal ruled out and Mason Webb’s superb header crashed off the crossbar. Whitstable Town got a late consolation goal but the Rams never looked threatened. Man of the match went to Dylan Hawkins for his outstanding first half performance, while Dan Barrett and Charlie Evans worked well together at the back.

The Under 15s and Under 13s were without games today.

The Under 14s’ game at Southwood against Herne Bay was cancelled owing to a waterlogged pitch.

East Kent Youth League Teams

The Under U18s’ league campaign has finished, with the lads crowned as champions. Their next game will be a League Cup semi-final, the date of which is yet to be confirmed.

The Under 16s were without a game today.

The Under 14s’ game against Thanet Colts at Southwood was cancelled owing to a waterlogged pitch.

The Under 13s game against Canterbury Youth at St Lukes was also called off.

The Under 12s’ game against Canterbury Youth at the Clarendon Sports Fields was cancelled owing to a waterlogged pitch.

With both teams lacking quality chances in a scrappy first half that was littered with heavy challenges, primarily from the visitors, the main surprise of the half was that the referee resisted using his cards. Apart from this factor Ben Laslett had a side footed effort knocked out for a corner and Simon Pettit headed wide in the early stages but despite having the majority of possession they couldn’t break down the Town defence. It wasn’t until half an hour passed when Eastbourne had an attempt at target when a soft header was an easy catch for Rams’ stopper Danny Twyman. A nice move starting from the home ‘keeper, and including some good control and holding play from Joe Taylor, lead to a long shot from Steve O’Brien but this sailed over the bar. As half time approached Eastbourne forced Twyman into a diving save but as Ward confirmed afterwards they really did cause little else to threaten the Rams’ goal.

The second half proved to be a slightly more encouraging affair with both sides attempting to show some quality but sadly this was in patches. Town had an ambitious shot from nearly forty yards out easily collected by Twyman whilst O’Brien, Pettit and Wheatley all had chances of sorts but none was enough to really trouble Kieron Thorp in the visitor’s goal. Surprisingly it wasn’t until the 64^th minute when the referee first made use of his yellow card when Town’s Matt Geard was booked for a cynical foul on striker Ian Pulman. He was later joined in the book by teammates Scott Kirkwood and Nicky Fogden whilst debutant Woodward collected the host’s sole caution as the match wore on and he was subsequently substituted. Some few good moves did evolve from the bleakness, including a five player passing interchange for the hosts which resulted in a good Joe Taylor header being saved and Pettit’s looping shot, when one of his trademark long throws found its way back to his feet, hit the cross bar with just a few minutes remaining. Town again saved their ‘best’ for last and a scramble resulting in a corner on 90 minutes was their last throw of the dice but they will return to The Saffrons with a point for their efforts.

After the match Ward shared his frustration that having spent most of the match in the opposition’s half, his team had failed to score. Whilst he acknowledged that a clean sheet was one positive to take from the match – the last coming away to Cray in October – he continued “but clean sheets are no good if you don’t score”. The manager acknowledged groundsman Martin Jefferys’ work on the pitch stating he “does a great job with the pitch but it’s under so much pressure at the moment … but it was so heavy the pitch was dead and the ball wasn’t moving”. Another positive was the introduction and the performance of the two ‘rookies’ Woodward and substitute Daniel Hughes saying that “Both have come in – certainly they’ve not let themselves down” before adding that “Everyone in the changing room gave them a round of applause” after the match. With Warren Schulz a long term absentee and Pascal Ebigbo still injured despite completing his recent suspension Ward hinted at the addition of more new faces to the squad and hopes to have more news during the week relating to this matter. To conclude he stated in a positive manner “It’s (the draw) also against a team that we don’t beat very often so we’ll take the point and we’ll stay unbeaten for the last four games”. With that approach Ramsgate will be hoping to continue their unbeaten run next week when they again play at home, this time against third placed Dulwich Hamlet, and Ward for one will not be looking for a repeat prescription.

Ramsgate  :  Danny Twyman, Michael Yianni, Luke Wheatley, Anthony Woodward (Daniel Hughes 72), Liam Quinn (C), Ben Laslett, Tom Hickman, Joe Taylor, Ian Pulman, Simon Pettit, Steve O’Brien ; Unused Substitutes – Dean Grant, Jimmy Cole, Josh Merry, Dave Parker (GK)

Eastbourne Town  :  Kieron Thorp, Luke Denton, Ryan Storrie, Steve Elliott, Nicky Fogden (C), Steve May, Adam Davidson, Scott Kirkwood (Kai Bichard 72), Danny Curd (Sam Crabb 83), Nathan Crabb, Matt Geard (Owen Kessack 66) ; Unused Substitutes – Tom Graves, Danny Simmonds

Attendance 140

There were also a few less-familiar faces donning the Red shirt, and Ward said he felt that all in all it was an excellent game and he was happy that the match had served the purpose of giving him the opportunity to take another look at some of the fringe and reserve players. With Warren Schulz (toe injury) and Pascal Ebigbo (suspension) currently missing the squad was looking a bit thin on the ground, but the manager countered this by using a number of reserve team players, two of which may find themselves on Ryman League forms to bolster the squad ahead of Saturday’s visit of Eastbourne. The two players in question are centre-half Anthony Woodward and Josh Merry (left back who came on in the second half) and both could find themselves on the first team bench sooner than previously expected.

Jim continued “I really wanted to see what it would be like with Hickman, Pettit and Laslett playing in the middle of midfield in a bit of a diamond but we never got the opportunity to do that because Pettit’s Achilles was playing up”. He also commented on how he felt we were excellent going forward and was pleased for both the young strikers who found the net stating that it was a ‘big day’ for Tom Chapman who deservedly netted his first for the 1^st team, whilst Joe Taylor was continuing to learn from playing with strikers of Ian Pulman’s calibre.

Reiterating his pleasure with the way things were going he was in buoyant mood looking forward to a good match on Saturday and wants to continue his dialogue with the supporters. Hopefully ‘Wardie’s Words’ will become a more regular feature so, as well as Jim’s views/own musings, if anyone has any questions they’d like to be put to the manager, or his team, please send them to ramsgatefc@vanwalwyk.co.uk, or PM them to Peter VW (AKA redredred) via the forum.

With only two minutes on the clock the spritely Kara Richardson opened the scoring with an easy tap in from a right wing cross. She doubled her tally on 17 minutes following another cross box ball from the same direction but despite this early advantage Ramsgate, and the match, never really got going until after the break. Jessica Smith went close twice towards the end of the half and the visitor’s number 8, who went on to score a second half hat-trick went close only to be denied by the quick action of Megan Cavell denying her on the edge
of the box.

Tammy Pile-Gray on her way to goal

Trailing by two at half time the visitors certainly came out with something to prove in the second half and were back on level terms almost immediately when first their number 8 ran through and scored with a powerful shot and then, after a couple more chances for Chartham, the number 6 equalised. A minute later and Ramsgate could have regained the lead when Vicky Collings hit the bar but Jess Smith’s shot from 15 yards out was then scrambled onto the post and into the net by the opposition ‘keeper. Three goals in the first five minutes of the second half certainly livened things up and set the tempo for the rest of the match and whilst the scoreline didn’t run away with either team they both certainly had chances to run up an impressive tally. When Megan, who had played the first half in goal, almost instantly put a precise cross into the box to striker Tammy Pile-Gray the following back heel flick to herself and resulting shot were a moment of magic deserving of winning any match but as the ‘keeper saved Tammy’s moment was yet to come. Lesedi Vine had replaced Megan in goal and whilst she saved bravely at goalscorer number 6’s feet in the 53^rd minute she could do nothing to stop number 8’s powerful shot which again put the match all square. Next was Tammy’s second magical moment of the afternoon as she ran from the half way line, skipping past challenge after challenge before unleashing a shot of which there was no doubt as to its destination and the Reds regained the lead at 4-3. The Chartham 8 was immediately up the other end and skilfully levelled matters from an acute angle. Both teams had chances, notably through Ramsgate’s Kara, who was chasing her own hat-trick, and unsurprisingly the very impressive visiting number 8 but the teams shared the eight goals and two points this afternoon.

With just one league match remaining Ramsgate have scored 92 league goals so far and will have an eye on an obvious (and impressive) target when they visit Teynham Gunners next month. First up however is next week’s Kent County Divisional Cup semi-final away to Gravesham and having defeated their opponents twelve and fourteen nil already this season confidence of getting to the final must be high in the Ramsgate camp.

Ramsgate Team  :  Megan Cavell, Vicky Collings, Tammy Pile-Gray, Melanie Tsangarides, Amy Robinson (C), Jessica Smith, Rachel Coll, Lesedi Vine, Janine Judd, Kara Richardson

Goalscorers  :  Ramsgate - Richardson 2, 17, Smith 50, Pile-Gray 62  Chartham  – #8 46, 53, 63 #6 48

Player of the Match  :  Tammy Pile-Gray (as chosen by the opposition)

In the East Kent Youth League the Under 18s League Cup semi-final was postponed, while the Under 13s knocked Kennington Juniors out the cup in their quarter-final. The Under 16s drew at Dynamo United and the Under 12s lost at Trinity. The Under 14s were without a game today.

Kent Youth League

The Under 18s won again, this time beating Hollands & Blair 2-1 away. The Rams’ goals came from Tom Chapman and a penalty from Shane Mitchell.

The Under 16s were without a game today.

The Under 15s continued their fine start to 2012 with a hard fought draw against a good Maidstone United side at Southwood this morning. Maidstone had the gusty wind at their backs in the 1^st half and Ramsgate defended stoutly as a team and restricted the visitors to few chances, but could not hold out until half-time and Maidstone took the lead from a corner just before the interval. The Rams had the advantage of the wind in the 2^nd half and began the half positively, but were dealt a sucker punch with 10 minutes gone when a speculative ball in the box bounced off the bar and a waiting Maidstone player scored at the far post putting them 2-0 up. The Rams knew that they were still in this game and put their visitors under some sustained pressure and this finally paid off, when a corner swung in from the left was headed back across goal by Mitchell King for Ryan Coleman to head in from close range, which set the game up for an exciting finish. It was all Ramsgate now, although they needed to be mindful of their opponents’ rare breakaways. Ramsgate kept pushing for the equaliser and were so unlucky on numerous occasions, with Maidstone clearing off their goal line twice and Owen Kermode hitting the inside of the post when through on goal having beaten the ‘keeper hands down, only for the ball to bounce off the inside of the post and back into the grateful ‘keeper’s arms. But in the last minute, from a long throw in, the ball was headed out to Mitchell King who lifted it back to the far post where a waiting Adam Turton gleefully headed into an empty goal. This was nothing more than the Rams deserved from this hard fought honest game with both sides giving their all. Well done to both sides for a cracking match.

The Under 14s travelled to Ashford United and reinforced their lead at the top of the table with a 8-1 victory.

The Under 13s welcomed Faversham Town to Ellington & Hereson School but were left without any points after their visitors won.

East Kent Youth League

The Under 18s were without a game as their League Cup semi-final against Whitstable Town was postponed owing to their opponents’ manager’s ill health.

The Under 16s were at Dynamo United and drew 2–2 thanks to a brace from Ryan Cambray.

The Under 14s were without a game today.

The Under 13s achieved a great win against Kennington Juniors on Sunday, putting them through to the semi-finals of the Merv Willis Cup. The whole Ramsgate team had a real determination about them from the offset and were rewarded when a Kennington defender put the ball into his own net after Ramsgate pressure in front of goal. Ramsgate player Charlie Wood doubled the Ramsgate tally before the break, following a Stamatiou cross from the right. In the second half Wood scored again, from a similar Ramsgate move. It was also a delight to see the young Rams passing the ball quickly and efficiently at times, during which Kennington could not get near the ball. It was not all one-way traffic though, as Kennington gave a very good account of themselves by making the Rams defence work hard at times and ‘keeper Hewitt was also called upon on occasions. All said, the Rams mid-field worked well throughout, including striker Charlie Abbott who dropped to help and fought tirelessly for everything, earning him a well-deserved Player of the Match for his sterling efforts.

The Under 12s visited Trinity but were on the wrong end of a 4-0 score line.

Ian Pulman gave the Rams the lead just before half-time when the visitors netted for the 2nd time, however the home side equalised shortly after so honours were still level at the break. Luke Wheatley re-established the Rams’ lead early in the 2nd half, and although the Leafe managed to level the score again, Pulman’s 2nd gave the Rams the win.

Rams: Danny Twyman, Gareth Cornhill, Luke Wheatley, Tom Hickman, Liam Quinn (c), Ben Laslett, Michael Yianni (Dean Grant 76), Simon Pettit, IanPulman, Joe Taylor (Tom Chapman 66), Steve O’Brien. Unused Subs: Dan Hughes, Dave Parker.