Ward "excited" about local talent coming through - EXCLUSIVE

Sunday 10th June 2007

Former Fisher Athletic central defender Nick Davis has signed a two-year contract with Ryman Premier League side Ramsgate, writes Stephen McCartney.

The former VCD Athletic and Maidstone United player was one of eighteen first-team players culled by Blue Square Southern outfit Fisher Athletic last month.

Davis was on a dual-registration with the Rams last term, and made an impressive debut during their 4-2 league win at Hendon last September - his only appearance for the club.

But Rams boss Jim Ward believes Davis will improve their defensive record, having leaked 63 goals during their 42 league outings last season.

“We started the season last year, after the previous year, with the best defensive record,” Ward said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk this morning.

“We felt last year we let too many goals in. Now obviously there’s got to be a wrong somewhere.

“We signed a new goalkeeper, Paul Wilkerson, who as far as I’m concerned, has got better and better.

“You have to remember all my centre halves are young lads, still around 21-years-old so I felt I needed a bit more experience in there.

“Nick Davis got promotion with Fisher two years ago into the Conference South and played nearly every game with them.”

Ward knows all about Davis from his time as manager at then, Kent League side, Maidstone United, having snapped the defender up from rivals, VCD Athletic.

“I’ve known Nick before I signed him from VCD when I was manager at Maidstone and he done superb for me then,” Ward recalls.

And he admitted it was easy to sign him for the second time, from South Londoners Fisher.

He said: “I had him on a dual registration last year so there’s no major surprise I’ve signed him.

“He played one game last year, played against Hendon, won 4-2 and what a difference he made that day.

“He could have scored three goals himself - from set pieces. He likes to get busy in the box - he’s a handful.”

Two strikers have signed two-year contracts for the Rams, Steffan Ball and Scott Holden.

Ward said: “Steffan Ball comes back into the equation (following his year away travelling around the world) and Scott Holden. He’s a local lad with a great future - an out and out centre forward.”

Ward, however, didn’t want to unveil the identities of three potential new signings - one from Gillingham and two from Thanet rivals, Margate.

“I’ve got a lad whose released from Gillingham,” he said. “I’ve got to speak to the boy this week - a (player who can play) centre half or right-back.”

But Ward insisted that he has “no sour grapes” towards midfielder Michael Yianni who signed for Thanet rivals Margate last week.

Yianni turned down offers from Ryman Premier League rivals Folkestone Invicta and Blue Square Southern newcomers Bromley to sign for the Hartsdown Park club.

“I’ve known Michael on and off for five years,” said Ward. “I took him to Maidstone from Hythe, after I left Maidstone he got released and sent him back to Hythe.

“I jumped in two seasons ago and signed him back from Hythe when they were languishing in the bottom half of the Kent League and I took him to Ramsgate and first season he done ever so well for me.

“Up until Christmas last year he done well for me but since then, he’s gone off the boil.

“Whether the lad had already been tapped up, I don’t know (but) he came to me at the end of the season and said to me “all these clubs want to speak to me - his local club Folkestone, Bromley and Margate.

“He wasn’t on contract, I wanted to keep him. He was disappointed that other players at the club were on more money than him and he wanted to be put on that same level.

“In my opinion, I declined that so I offered him a couple bob more but not the same as the top earners are getting.

“He sees his future at Margate Football Club and he sees their going in the right direction - fair play to him.

“I’ve got no sour grapes with Michael Yianni whatsoever and it will be his turn to buy me a bottle of bear the next time I see him.

“If he thinks he’s improving himself at Margate rather than Ramsgate, he goes with my best wishes.”

But the Scot admitted he’s “excited” with the prospect of more local talented players coming through.

Andy Hadden, a player who can play in midfield or at full-back, was given his chance to impress towards the end of last season after progressing from their reserve side.

“I’m more excited this year than I was last year,” Ward admitted. “I feel we’ve got stronger everywhere, with cover in every position.

“It’s still exciting times at the club (with) all these local lads coming through.

“Anything higher than (last season’s final place of) ninth is a result - the target will be the play-off’s.

“Local lads come to our club will get their chance. I they’re good enough, they’ll play.

“It’s been proven time and time again. All the local lads, some have kept their shirt, we’re littered with local boys, and the ones that don’t make it keep coming back knowing it’s a friendly club. It’s friendly but professional.

“I’m excited about Hadden and Holden. Application wise it’s their turn now and there’s a couple of local lads that want to come. One’s a midfield player and ones a winger. Both want to come across from Margate.

“They’re not getting a chance and they think they should get a chance.”

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