The crowds have been disappointing this year, admits Ramsgate boss Tim Dixon

RAMSGATE boss Tim Dixon has urged the stay-away fans to flock through the turnstiles for their game against coastal rivals Whitstable Town on Saturday.

Dixon, 46, was concerned that only 135 fans turned out for their local derby against high-flying Folkestone Invicta in midweek, which finished in a 1-1 draw at Southwood Stadium.

Curtis Robinson’s header looked to have been enough for Ramsgate to claim the victory, but former Ramsgate striker, Stuart King scored a last-gasp leveller for Neil Cugley’s side.

Dixon admitted his side dropped two points after the game.

He said: “I think if people would have asked me if that would have been a good enough scoreline before the game I would have taken it, but the way we conceded a goal with the last kick of the game is really disappointing.

“I think they’re unlucky at times but we created equally the same amount of chances. It was a pretty even game but when you’re 1-0 up going into the last few seconds we should have seen the game out and killed it really, but it was a catalogue of errors leading up to the equaliser.”

Non-League football clubs always struggle to attract fans through the gates whenever there is Champions League football on the box as people turn their back on local football to stay at home or go to pubs to watch the elite.

Dixon said: “People mention Champions League being on, but I don’t buy into that because there’s some decent supporters of local football. 

“I know Margate were playing and there was Whitstable against Faversham and Dover at Welling and there was a lot of games on.

“The crowds have been disappointing this year.  Considering we were playing one of the favourites for the League and a local derby at the end of the day, which always attracts people.”

Dixon wants those midweek stay-away fans to support his side against Justin Luchford’s Whitstable Town side at the weekend.

When asked what he is expecting against The Oystermen, Dixon replied, “A tough battle!  I mentioned earlier in the week that the lads’ have got to be in the trenches on Saturday because it’s going to be a real battle.

“A lot of the lads’ know each other so they’re trying to get bragging rights over each other.  There’s former players from Ramsgate playing for Whitstable and visa-versa so it’s going to be a tough game.

“Justin’s got a good side together this year.  He’s got a lot of experience. He’s had a lot of help from Gillingham with two young lads (Jack Parter and Josh Hare) coming in.  

“One of them (Parter) was with me last year for a lone deal (along with Bradley Dack), so I know all about him.  That helped me out quite considerably when Jim Ward was in charge.”

Dixon says it’s important to have good relationships with Kent’s leading clubs as it is beneficial to all parties to blood youngsters into the blood and thunder of the Ryman League.

The Ramsgate boss is pleased with Tom Axford, who has played two games during his loan move from Blue Square Bet (Conference) South club Dover Athletic.

He said: “I’ve got Tom Axford on loan from Dover now and he’s played the last two games and he’s settled in very nicely.  He’s done himself no harm at all in his progression.

“Tom’s been superb in the two games he’s had for us so far and he’s doing us a favour and we’re helping (Dover Athletic boss) Nicky Forster out at the same time.

“A lot of clubs haven’t got reserve teams now so we help them out. I know (Dover Athletic defender) Sean Raggett is on loan at Herne Bay and I know Gillingham and Dover look to get the young lads out when they’re not playing regular football.

Dixon wants his side to claim the bragging rights over Whitstable Town at the weekend – but admitted it would be great for a bigger crowd.

“We’re confident. We’re at home. We like local derbies, there the games we want to be involved in so it would have been nice to keep a clean sheet going into Saturday’s game to keep that momentum going, but it wasn’t to be. We have to approach it the best way as possible.

“We’re playing some decent stuff. It’s about time we had a few supporters there. There’s a lot of reasons, financial situations. It’s tough for a lot of people at the moment, but everyone has their reasons, but it will be nice to get a few people through the gate to watch a decent game of football and give us some sort of atmosphere.”

Dixon, meanwhile, takes his side to much-fancied Leatherhead on 13 October.

“I’ve seen Leatherhead this year and I was very impressed with them when I saw them up at Sittingbourne,” he said.

“They’re another good side and they’ve got some quality players’ with experience from the Ryman Premier so it’s another tough game.

“Again, they’re one of the fancied teams to win the League this year.”

Steve O’Brien is Ramsgate’s only injury concern at present with a long term knee problem.

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

Ramsgate  v  Whitstable Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 6^th October 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN