We will bounce straight back, vows confident Pettit

Saturday 13th June 2009

SIMON PETTIT is confident that his Ramsgate team-mates will bounce back at the first attempt following their relegation from the Ryman Premier League last season, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Rams endured a miserable campaign as they finished at the foot of the table, which was a shock to everybody at Southwood Stadium, but Pettit, speaking to www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk , is confident manager Jim Ward can bring the good times back to the club.

“I was disappointed with last season, as was everybody else in the squad,” said Pettit.

“There wasn’t the togetherness that there has been in recent years - nobody’s fault, just due to the sheer change in numbers and loss of big players on the pitch and the loss of big personalities off it.”

Pettit is one of nine players from last season’s squad to stay at the club and he has been appointed vice-captain to the long-serving Warren Schulz, who retains the captain’s armband.

Shaun Allison, Ben Brown, Aaron Firth, Will Graham, Andy Hadden, Ben Laslett and Tom Tsangarides have also stayed.

Ward has so far made six summer signings, with attacking midfielder Sam Jones returning to the club following a glorious season at Ryman Premier League champions Dover Athletic.

Liam Quinn, who can play in defence or midfield, has arrived from Ryman One South rivals Whitstable Town, whilst winger Rhys Lawson has arrived from Kent League neighbours Herne Bay.

Unknown trio Dan Allen, Ollie Gray and Gary Lockyer have been given the chance to impress.

Pettit, meanwhile, believes these players will be good enough to clinch promotion out of Ryman League Division One South at the first attempt.

And he vows to bring back the togetherness that propelled the club out of the Kent League into the Ryman Premier League at a very quick rate in recent years.

“I was out of contract and spoke to three clubs, two Ryman Premier and one Ryman Premier that was particular appealing as it meant teaming up with an old team mate,” revealed Pettit.

“However, after much deliberating, talking with remaining players, sitting down with Jim and (chairman) Richard Lawson, who explained their expectations and plan for next year, and seeing a few fans around town, I decided to sign for another season.

“After the highs of the last three or four seasons, last year was a real wake up call, and a depressing one at that for fans, chairman, managers and players alike.

“However, it will make the remaining players stronger, and I for one never want to experience that again, which will make us work even harder on and off the pitch to get the battling, fighting, togetherness back that made us such a dominant team in the past few years.

“This season we want to get straight back up, and with players we have retained and the additions we have made such as Sam Jones, who will be one of the best attacking midfielders in this league, we are capable of achieving that.

“Jim has brought the squad together well in the pre-season, now its down to Richard Langley to get us the fittest we have ever been, then its over to us.

“I’m excited for the season, we are the big fish in the small pond in Ryman One, as opposed to vise-versa in the Premier.

“We will be expected to do very well, and we will rise to the challenge, I am convinced of that.”

Meanwhile, the Thanet club must be congratulated for slashing admission prices for the lower league. Adult admission prices have been reduced to £8 and concessions £5.

Season tickets for next season will be priced at £150 (adults) and £90 (concessions), giving a saving of up to £66 and £47 respectively on normal match day admission.

Quotes courtesy of www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk