19thapr05

Ford congratulates winning managers

VCD ATHLETIC have to settle for a fifth placed finish to their Go Travel Kent League campaign this season, writes Stephen McCartney.

The curtain comes down on their season on Saturday with a trip to sixth placed Hythe Town but manager Martin Ford will be without Mark Greatorex (holiday) and Steve Coatham.  However, Paul Dimmock should be fit but he will be sweating on the fitness of Gary Ward whose doubtful for the trip to Reachfields.

Ford told the club's website: "My own club finishes our league campaign with an away match at Hythe on Saturday and although we can now only finish fifth we are all keen to finish the season on a win to end the season unbeaten in nine matches.

"We will be very much under strength due to a few withdrawals but I'm sure we can get by okay."

Although Vickers ended the season without a trophy, Ford was quick to congratulate the managers of Ramsgate and Thamesmead Town.

Jim Ward's Rams secured the Go Travel Kent League championship last weekend courtesy of their 2-0 win at Lordswood, which was their tenth away win of the season.  They will be presented with the silverware on Saturday when Ward's former club, Maidstone United visit Southwood Stadium.

Thamesmead, managed by Paul Blade, clinched the Kent Senior Trophy last weekend, beating Beckenham Town 1-0 thanks to a strike from former VCD midfielder Kieron Collins.

Ford added: "I would like to congratulate a couple of my fellow managers in the shape of Jim Ward and Paul Blade in winning the Kent League and Kent Senior Trophy.

"It is again a fantastic achievement by Jim once more to win the league title.  

"A lot of people were probably hoping to see the back of Jim after he was sacked by Maidstone and to tell you the truth I was one of them.

"I do not mean that nasty but with Jim out of the way I was hoping that he would give us fellow managers a chance to capture the main prize.

"Whether you like the bloke or not you cannot argue with his record it is second to none and although we occasionally do not see eye to eye he has my utmost respect for what he has achieved.

"I know that Jim's biggest wish is to manage a team at a higher standard so although the league and clubs like ourselves are desperate for the Rams to stay in this division, due to lack of numbers, I hope that Jim and Ramsgate go on to bigger and better things.  Well done to you all."

Ford praised Mead boss Paul Blade for picking up their second trophy in two years.

He added: "I was also pleased that Blado (Paul Blade) were the winners for the Mead in the Kent Senior Trophy.

"Thamesmead have now added this trophy to the League Cup they won last year and although they will be disappointed with their league campaign it is still a tremendous effort by them to again be amongst the prizes.

"The club continue to prove their critics wrong but their record over the past few seasons is second to none.  It is just a shame that a few more people don't get up off their backsides to watch the club and back the chairman's ambitions."

Hythe Town v VCD Athletic
Go Travel Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 23rd April 2005
at Reachfields Stadium, Fort Road, Hythe
Kick Off 3:00pm