Ramsgate controversially appoint Paul Bowden-Brown as chief executive eight days after Thamesmead Town's sad demise

RAMSGATE have controversially appointed Paul Bowden-Brown as consultant come chief executive officer today – just eight days after he pulled the plug on Thamesmead Town.

The Bostik South East Division club have today announced new appointments in the boardroom, with the former owner of Thamesmead Town being welcomed on board, despite folding their league rivals on 17 October after failing to find a buyer for the loss-making Dartford based homeless club.

A Ramsgate statement said: “At the start of the season Phil Fennell stepped down as chairman of Ramsgate Football Club.  Martin Able was then announced as the new chairman and he carried out a review of the club and its processes for the shareholders.

“Upon consideration of his report, the shareholders identified several areas where the club needs support, improvement and modernisation if we are to progress. It is also clear that we need to bring in new blood to help implement new ideas and reach our goals.

“Ramsgate FC is therefore pleased to announce that it has obtained the services of two high level individuals who will be joining the club with immediate effect and who will bring valuable experience and expertise.

“Paul Bowden-Brown needs no introduction, having been one of the most experienced chairmen in non-league football at our level and above.

“Paul, who for many years was chairman of Maidstone and saw the club rise up through Isthmian football, has more recently been instrumental in keeping Thamesmead Town afloat against all odds during their recent troubles until a lack of support and spiralling costs forced the club to fold.

“Since then, he has had several offers to join other clubs but is excited by the opportunities we have here at Ramsgate. He will join initially as a consultant until the dissolution of Thamesmead Town is complete and will then join the Board as director and CEO with his focus being to implement the changes highlighted in the shareholders report.

“Paul will also bring some of his backroom staff with him to Ramsgate to support our existing structure. They will be a welcome addition to our overworked team of volunteers.

“Also, a new director has been appointed with immediate effect. Karim Aisawi is a local businessman in his mid-thirties who has been making a name for himself recently in non-league circles.

“Currently the chairman of Margate Sports, Karim is a true football man who has taken the Sports to a whole new level in just two years. He is fast becoming known for his ability, drive and commitment to improving football in the area.

“Karim has clearly displayed his ambition over the last two years at the Sports, succeeding in bringing in players directly from Bostik level football to the County League and negotiating a ground share with our neighbours Margate FC.

“This is evidence of his unprecedented commitment to progression; a word that he believes will be synonymous with Ramsgate moving forward. As part of Karim’s role as director, he will be predominantly responsible for football matters within the club, and he will be looking at the entire structure of the club from youth to the senior sides.

“In addition, Richard Lawson will be re-joining the board as a director to offer his continued support and to help oversee the changes that need to be made.

“Richard was previously Ramsgate’s chairman for 25 years, and the club enjoyed the most successful period in its history during his tenure.

“It is inevitable that some changes will take place, but our new personnel have been appointed to improve the club both on and off the field. Martin Able will be remaining as chairman and will be facilitating the introductions with management and staff.

“We hope you will all welcome Paul and Karim to the club as there is a lot of hard work to be done.”

Former Thamesmead Town manager Keith McMahon, who is now manager at VCD Athletic, stated in an interview with this website during March 2017 that he felt that "within five more years there will be no more Thamesmead Town."

Sadly, he was right!

Mr Bowden-Brown insisted in March 2017 that moving to Dartford on a five-year deal would "build a strong platform for Thamesmead Town Football Club to remain in existence for many years to come."

Sadly, he was wrong!

Albert Panting, who co-founded Thamesmead Town back in 1969, Tweeted: “It’s very rare for me to comment on social sites, but I must say this has come as a massive kick in the b*****ks and is very upsetting to read.

“To become CEO of another club so soon is unforgivable. It has left both Alan (Martin) and me devastated that it has come to this after 47 years.”

Rest in Peace Thamesmead Town Football Club. Please come back soon!

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