Ward looks for improvement

Thursday 01st October 2009

RAMSGATE boss Jim Ward has brought in two new coaches to steer his side up the league table following a disappointing start, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Rams, who welcome resurgent Leyton to Southwood Stadium in the preliminary round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy on Saturday, are currently in fifteenth place in the Ryman League Division One South table after nine games and this isn’t good enough for the Scot.

“We were very disappointed to be knocked out of the FA Cup, but we’re also looking to build on our league form,“ Ward told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“We’ve said to the players we’re disappointed with the way that we’ve started.”

Mark Weatherly has been appointed first-team coach and took charge of last Tuesday’s training session and Peter Hook (father of Dover Athletic goalkeeper Lee) has been appointed goalkeeper coach.

“The squad we’ve got shouldn’t be below midtable,” insisted Ward. “We’ve brought a new coach in, Mark Weatherly, we started that on Tuesday. He’s a new voice in the changing room and we’ve brought in Peter Hook, to bring a bit more professionalism.

“Mark has been at the club since pre-season and has been coaching the youth but he’s got tons of experience, having played for Gillingham.

“He’s a top coach so he will work with the forwards, the midfield players, the defence and the whole team as a unit and the goalkeeper coach will look after the keeper.”

Ward added: “It needed s shake-up and that’s what we’ve decided to do. I sat down with my chairman, I’m very close with the chairman, and we decided we’ll go down that route.

“I want to put this right, that’s why I’ve brought in a new coach. I’m an old time manager, I manage and I let all the coaches coach.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s Trophy tie against a midtable Ryman One North Leyton side, Ward expects the east London side to be difficult to beat.

He said: “They’ve certainly made a lot of changes over the last few weeks. They’ve appointed Craig Edwards, former Grays manager, as their new manager and by all accounts they’re signing all sorts of players so I see it as a very difficult task.”

Ward revealed that he has no injury concerns although Ben Brown (who is currently on loan at Whitstable Town) has been refused permission to play for the Oystermen as Ward doesn’t want him cup-tied.

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

Ramsgate v Leyton

FA Carlsberg Trophy Preliminary Round

Saturday 3rd October 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Southwood Stadium, Prices Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 0AN