Brodstairs merge with Ramsgate to give local players' the best opportunity to fulfil their potential

BROADSTAIRS Football Club, who have been striving to provide football opportunities for local youth and senior players, has decided to become part of Ramsgate Football Club.

Despite their recent successes, Kent County League outfit Broadstairs believe that joining the Rams is the right way to continue to progress in a sustainable manner.

Broadstairs chairman Gary Beckett issued the following statement, which was published on Ramsgate’s website www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk.

He said: “Tim Hunt and I have been striving to give the players in east Kent the best opportunity to achieve their full potential and this merger provides this.”

Ramsgate director Foy Turner added: “As they compete in different senior League’s to Ramsgate, the teams that Broadstairs brings provides an additional outlets for our players and similarly their players will have a chance to play in the usual Leagues that the Rams play in, so it is beneficial to both sides.”

This merger will see a further four teams play under the already expanding Ramsgate umbrella, with the Rams now fielding a total of 24 sides in the coming season across age groups from under 7s to adults and with the Ladies’  team, across a total of eight different leagues.

The statement added: “With football ranging from the recreational and non-competitive to the semi-professional status of the Ryman League, Ramsgate continues to provide opportunities for all ages and skill levels in the local community as a whole and are also in progressive talks exploring further avenues.”

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Thanet, Margate have signed Sam Long, 22, from Cray Wanderers on a two-year contact.  Wands boss Ian Jenkins deployed the former Charlton Athletic, Grays Athletic, Histon, Tonbridge Angels, Croydon Athletic and Dover Athletic player as a right-back last season, but Long can also play as a winger.

Visit Ramsgate’s website: www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk