24thjune05

Friday 24th June 2005

Exciting times at Ramsgate
EXCLUSIVE

JIM WARD has continued to strengthen his Kent League double winning squad prior to their first season in the Ryman League by signing striker Richard Sinden and defender Dean Hill, writes Stephen McCartney.

Sinden, 26, whose previous clubs include Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Dundalk, Tonbridge Angels, Sittingbourne, Maidstone United and Herne Bay, is perhaps best known in the Garden of England for being leading scorer at Sittingbourne, and winning the Kent League Golden Boot with the Stones.

The Rams have also signed 21-year-old defender, Dean Hill from Southern Leaguers, Sittingbourne.

He was previously part of the championship winning Dover Athletic side and then moved to Ashford Town before joining the Brickies in February 2004.

And in an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk this morning, Ward is pleased with his two new additions.

"Richard always played at a higher level before he went into the Kent League with me at Maidstone," the Scot said.

"He's won the Southern League at Sittingbourne and I feel he will be better suited at the higher standard than what he was with the Kent League.

"Richard Sinden has one thing that money can't buy - he's got pace.

"He's good all round - experience, good in the changing room and a good lad. He is a good signing for Ramsgate."

And Ward is looking at Hill's experience at Southern League level - despite being young in years.

"Dean has got bags of experience with 50-60 Southern League games under his belt at 21.

"He was an ever-present with Sittingbourne last year and before that in and out of the Dover side.

"A bit more experience for us, even though he's a young lad."

Ward revealed he has invited Herne Bay pair Joe Denly (midfielder) and Steven Lloyd (centre half) to pre-season training and, as always, there will be other players trying to impress the boss.

"Players have been invited to pre-season training and to be honest I'm just going to wait and see.

"I know there's 5-6 other players coming but they've got to come and show me what they can offer."

And the Scot is relishing the opportunity to manage at the higher level - and has only one thing on his mind.

"You want to be involved in the highest level you can," he said.

"We've put bonuses in line for being top six at Christmas and at the end of the season and getting promoted.

"We don't go into this being negative at all - we go into this being positive.

"These are very exciting times at Ramsgate."