It's great for us to have Ollie Schulz back home, says Ramsgate boss Tim Dixon

RAMSGATE boss Tim Dixon has praised the board and supporters that have raised the funds to bring Ollie Schulz back to the club after five-years’ away.


The central defender penned a contract with the Ryman League Division One South club last night.

Schulz left Southwood Stadium in 2008 after playing an influential role for the Rams in their rise from the Kent League before securing back-to-back Ryman League titles and went down to a Ryman Premier League Play-off Semi-Final on a wet night at Staines Town.

He was a key player in Dover Athletic’s Ryman Premier League title-winning side and their first season in Conference South.

But Dover Athletic’s former boss, Nicky Forster, decided to release him from Crabble in February 2012 and he was snapped up by Tommy Warrilow at league rivals Tonbridge Angels.

“Obviously I’m over the moon that we’ve signed Olly,” said Dixon.

“He started his career at Ramsgate and has returned with a massive desire to do well for his home-town club.

“Most of the negotiations have been done by my assistant manager Darren Beale and with significant help from the board and our fantastic supporters club, the RFSA (Ramsgate Football Supporters Association).

“He is a solid defender and will cause a few problems in the opposition’s penalty area at set-pieces.

“It’s great for us to have Olly back home and linking up with his brother, the club legend Warren Schulz.

“Both Darren and I worked with Olly at Dover and he knows many of our players and has even joined us on a couple of social nights so will fit in immediately.”

Dixon added: “I hope to announce another signing shortly.”

The Rams have arranged five pre-season friendlies so far, starting with a trip to Winch’s Field, Herne Bay, to take on Canterbury City on Wednesday 10^th July (7:45pm).

The Kent League club are managed by former Ram, Simon Pettit, who took charge of the club last month.

Meanwhile, the Ryman Football League confirmed today that Ramsgate and other clubs do not have to pay for their trip to Guernsey next season.

A statement issued by the League said: “The club (Guernsey) was allocated to the Ryman League by the Leagues Committee of the Football Association subject to the League and the club being able to agree the special conditions which would apply to their matches as the club is based in the Channel Islands.

“After much negation on both sides the League is pleased to announce that special conditions have now been agreed.

“The club will be recommended to the AGM of the League for approval in the constitution for Division One South for season 2013-2014.

“The special conditions include a provision for up to 30 players and bona fida representatives of each visiting club to be provided with flights for a Saturday match at the cost of Guernsey FC.  For some clubs there will also be a provision for up to 22 members of their team and management to stay overnight at Gatwick on the Friday evening, also at the cost of Guernsey FC.

“For midweek matches on the island the host club will be responsible for up to 30 persons to travel to the island, stay overnight and return the next morning.”

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