Rams welcome Dons with open arms - EXCLUSIVE

Friday 21st December 2007

Ramsgate boss Jim Ward hit back at Terry Brown following comments made by the AFC Wimbledon manager that he expects a “hostile” atmosphere at Southwood Stadium tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.

Brown, the former Aldershot Town manager, told his club website www.afcwimbledon.co.uk: “I have never been to Ramsgate before but understand it is a difficult and hostile environment.

“We will need to show character and resolve to come away with all three points.”

But Dundee born Ward, insists Brown shouldn’t listen to gossip and welcomes the Dons to Southwood Stadium with open arms.

“Terry Brown doesn’t know what he’s talking about!” Ward said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk ahead of the big Ryman Premier League showdown.

“He’ll leave Southwood tomorrow win, lose or draw with the same as every manager leaves our place – with nothing except good words about Ramsgate Football Club.

“He will be met and his players’ and supporters’ will get the same hospitality that befits their tremendous standing.

“I see them as the benchmark for our league. They’re the ones with the biggest crowds. They’re the ones with the biggest budget and they’re the ones with the biggest ambitions.”

“I’ve got nothing but admiration and respect for what they stand for.”

But fourth placed Ramsgate, with only one defeat at fortress Southwood, will be in determined mood to enhance their play-off hopes by beating a side with big reputations.

Ward, who is without the suspended Stuart Vahid and right-back Sam Vallance, who is expected to be out of action for up to two months with an ankle ligament injury, said: “I go into the game, except for two players, with my strongest squad. As for the a hostile reception, there will be none of that.”

The Rams lock horns with local rivals' Margate at Hartsdown Park on Boxing Day before welcome Folkestone Invicta to Southwood Stadium on 29^th December.

Ward then takes his side to play-off rivals’ Staines Town on 5^th January, before welcoming surprise league leaders Hendon to Southwood Stadium seven days later.

Looking ahead to those games, Ward said: “Massive! We’ve got four games, the biggest that we’ve played in our history.”

“If we average two points a game out of all those games, I would be highly delighted.”

But before those games, Ward will have his troops ready for battle tomorrow.

“I’ve seen AFC Wimbledon three times this year and the theory is we can do them some harm – we can see areas we can get into,” he said.

AFC Wimbledon are a club that can pay big money to entice players to Kingsmeadow – signing Jon Main, 26, from Tonbridge Angels for an undisclosed fee is one prime example.

Unfortunately the former VCD Athletic and Cray Wanderers striker, who netted 20 goals for the Angels before his switch, is out of favour and has only started two games, plus one substitute appearances.

Ward said: “We could never imagine playing five-figure sums for two centre forwards – it’s just not in Ramsgate’s make-up.

“We’ve got nothing else to offer. They’re the money men, everything’s going for them.

“Ramsgate can only offer what we’ve got – the biggest thing we’ve got is honesty.

“It’s great to be involved in games like this!”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game – with full match report and interviews to follow over the weekend.

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

Ramsgate v AFC Wimbledon
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 22^nd December 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN