Rams unveil Butler as their new first team coach - EXCLUSIVE

Ramsgate boss Jim Ward has hailed the capture of Steve Butler as his new first-team coach as his “best signing of the season,” writes Stephen McCartney.

Maidstone resident Butler, who replaces Mark Harrop, played for Watford before joining Gillingham where he formed part of the 1999-2000 promotion winning team under Peter Taylor and Andy Hessenthaler, the new player-manager at Ryman League Division One South club Dover Athletic.  

The following season Butler joined then Premiership outfit Leicester City as their first team coach, leaving “Hess” to take over at Priestfield Stadium.

In season 2001-02 Butler returned to Kent and helped Maidstone United to a successful first season in the Kent League - under Ward.

As well as being director of football, the prolific striker continued to play for the Stones and in 2002 he scored a famous FA Cup hat-trick, which knocked out local rivals Tonbridge Angels, but in October, he left to re-join Taylor as first team coach at Hull City.

“He comes in as first-team coach, he brings everything - he’ll take us to the next level,” Ward said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight. 



KENTISH CONNECTIONS:  Andy Hessenthaler, Peter Taylor and Steve Butler were all together during their time at Gillingham.
Photograph courtesy of www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk.

“He’s a fantastic coach, he’s obviously (been at) a Premiership club. He’s done it all with Leicester and Hull City with Peter Taylor.”

Ward revealed that Butler will be coaching at the Ryman Premier League club until he returns to the professional ranks.

He said: “He’s in-between jobs, we’ve got him until he gets back into the pro game.

“Everybody’s pleased, it’s a great fillip for the club. It’s certainly my best signing of the season.

“I’ve signed a lot of players but Steve’s the icing on the cake, now he can bring everything together.

“How many games he’ll come to I’m not sure but when he’s at the games, he’ll have a voice in the changing room,” said Ward, currently on holiday in America.

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