Ramsgate is where I enjoyed my happiest times in football, says Will Graham

RAMSGATE have today announced the return of Will Graham, who will manage the club’s Ryman Youth League Under 21 team next season.

Graham, 28, spent several seasons with the Rams in the Ryman League Division One South and Ryman Premier League under then boss Jim Ward.

Graham explained why he will be leaving Thanet rivals Margate at the end of the season, where he manages the under 18’s.

Yesterday the Blues reached the Challenge Cup Final when they will play Welling United on the first day of May.

Margate defeated Phoenix Sports thanks to a ninth-minute goal scored when Joshua Donnelly played a defence splitting pass through to Travis Jackson, who broke clear before dinking it over the onrushing keeper.

Graham, who resides in Herne Bay and is a scout for Charlton Athletic, said: “This is me going home to where I enjoyed my most happiest times in football.

“My lads’ are a very talented bunch of boys with several of the players with first team appearances for various clubs this season.

“The reason we are moving on from Margate at the end of the season is to offer the majority of my players a chance of first team football without splitting up and Ramsgate have a proven record of using local players in the first team.

“We are still going to give everything for Margate this season as we have a real chance of winning the league and winning a cup final, which I don’t think any Kent Youth team at Margate has done.

“I am happy that the club and I have secured Ramsgate legend Mark Munday as next season’s under 18 Premier manager.

“This role is very important as we need players stepping up and down into the under 21 team as we will do with the first team.

“I am also in advanced talks with a local manager who has played Ryman football to come into the under 21’s with me so watch this space.”

Visit Margate’s website: www.margate-fc.com

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