Richard Lawson steps down after 25 years as Ramsgate chairman

As part of the reorganisation of Ramsgate, vice-chairman Paul Jefcoate will take over duties as chairman for football matters, whilst Mr Lawson’s many other day-to-day duties will be allocated between members of a revised board.

Mr Lawson issued a statement on www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk today and said: “I’ve been doing the job for 25 years now and I’ve been finding it increasingly difficult to devote the time I need to the club, not only on a daily basis but match days as well.

“I have chosen 30 June to step down as it is the end of the financial year and this should ensure a smooth transition.

“I’ll be leaving the club debt free with only the usual running costs to consider.

“I have absolute confidence in the board to continue our progression as a club and I now want to spend my time helping one of the directors, Phil Fennell, with developing the club’s community ties.

“Ramsgate do an awful lot in the community and that work goes largely unrecognised.  This is an extremely important area of our work and I feel I can do more good now by concentrating on our new community initiatives.

“We are already close to making a few major announcements and I’m quite excited for the future.”

Mr Lawson’s experience from many years of successful stewardship will not be lost to the Rams however, and he confirmed, “I remain the majority shareholder and have told the board that I’m available 24/7 as a sounding board if required.

“Last year was the most difficult for raising sponsorship I can remember and to move the club forward I’ve been aware that changes have to be made and this is just the first step of what I hope to be many.

“Hopefully by reaching out more into the community I can spread the word about us and help attract more sponsors and fans.”

As one of his last official duties, Mr Lawson has appointed Bill Clayton as the club’s business development manager.

Mr Clayton said: “Firstly, let me say how delighted I am to be joining Ramsgate FC at a time when, I believe, things will be developing quickly to the betterment of the football club and its links with the community.

“I am an experienced business manager in both the public and private sectors having, amongst other roles, been the manager of Margate Job Centre, the business and performance manager for Estates at Surrey County Council and regional recruitment and training manager for a FTSE 100 company.”

More importantly, Mr Clayton has a passion for football going back some 50 years.

He said: “I am a qualified FA Coach, a former FA coaching centre director and have worked part-time in  professional football for over 20 years at clubs such as Chelsea, Wolves, Derby, Gillingham (where I re-structured the Centre of Excellence for Tony Pulis), Fulham (where I wrote tactical dossiers for Kevin Keegan) and Preston (under David Moyes and Craig Brown). 

“In the last few years I have worked for CrystalPalace, Watford and Colchester as a first team scout but I am most proud of my 5 years at Hereford as chief scout which saw the club rise from the Conference to Division 1.”

He added: “We strive to make our football club a power both in terms of the game and in its contribution to the community in East Kent.”