We have a three-year plan and expect to see it through the good and bad times, says Ramsgate chair

The Rams began their new Ryman League Division One South campaign with a 1-0 defeat at Whyteleafe and are in the bottom five after 90 minutes of football.

John Fowler, who guided the club out of the Southern Counties East Football League in his first season in charge, won the game courtesy of Greg Andrews’ winner, which was their first win on the newly-laid 3G pitch at Church Road.

“Since I was appointed as chairman in June, the club has made huge strides in laying the foundations for its long term success and future,” Mr Fennell told www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk.

“After 25 years of stability with the same chairman (Richard Lawson) at the helm it was inevitable last year that there was going to be a period of uncertainty and change.

“We have now re-grouped, re-organised and are at the start of a whole new era for the club that we are all part of.

“The board and the committee members have been working extremely hard over the close season and as a result I am pleased to say the club is fully solvent and ready for the new campaign.

“Off the pitch Richard Lawson and I have been working on creating a new “Ramsgate Brand and Business” to support the club in building a secure and successful future.

“Richard had made it clear to me that for some years he had been looking at setting up external profit centres to help support the running of the club.

“This was particularly difficult with the location and facilities available at Southwood. 

“We have therefore together devised a strategy for moving forward.  My company, The Generation Group, has taken an equity share of the football club and we have been able to use its skill sets to develop the following opportunities in Margate:

1) Full time management of the 3G facilities at Hartsdown Academy
2) Operation of the Football Academy at Hartsdown

“We are also running various events from Baypoint, which would have been impossible at Southwood and are in discussion with other operators to extend the range of services we can provide.

“In addition, we hope to be announcing not one but two new sponsors for the club.

“On the pitch as everyone is aware Dean Hill took over as first team manager and his first task was working alongside me to build a management team who can push the club forward.