{{short description|Association football club in England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}} {{Use British English|date=February 2015}} {{Infobox football club | nickname = The Rams | ground = [http://stable.toolserver.org/geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Southwood_Stadium¶ms=51_19_57.32_N_1_23_58.19_E_region:GB_type:landmark Southwood Stadium], [[Ramsgate]] | capacity = 3,500 | season = {{English football updater|Ramsgate2}} | pattern_la1 = _whiteborder | pattern_la2 = | pattern_b2 = | pattern_ra1 = _whiteborder | pattern_ra2 = | leftarm1 = FF0000 | leftarm2 = aa5389 | body1 = FF0000 | body2 = aa5389 | rightarm1 = FF0000 | rightarm2 = aa5389 | shorts1 = FF0000 | shorts2 = 532d5d | socks1 = FF0000 | socks2 = 532d5d | clubname = Ramsgate FC | image = | upright = | alt = Ramsgate FC badge | fullname = Ramsgate Football Club | founded = 1945 | owner = James Lawson | manager = [[Adrian Pennock]] | league = {{English football updater|Ramsgate}} | position = {{English football updater|Ramsgate3}} | pattern_b1 = _collarwhite | website = {{URL|ramsgatefc.co.uk}} }} '''Ramsgate Football Club''' are a [[association football|football]] team based in [[Ramsgate]], [[Kent]], England. They are currently members of the {{English football updater|Ramsgate}}. The club was founded in 1945 and was known as Ramsgate Athletic until 1972. After playing in the original [[Kent Football League (1894–1959)|Kent League]] in the 1950s, Ramsgate joined the [[Southern Football League|Southern League]] in 1959. In 1976 they resigned from this league and returned to county-level competition in a new [[Southern Counties East Football League|Kent League]]. In 2005 Ramsgate gained promotion to the [[Isthmian League]] Division One and secured a second consecutive promotion to the Premier Division a year later. Ramsgate were relegated in 2009 and have since played at the seventh level of the [[English football league system]].
Ramsgate play at Southwood Stadium, which has undergone significant improvement since 2020, including the laying of a new 3G pitch. The main local rivals of the club are [[Margate F.C.|Margate]] who are situated just four miles away. When the two teams meet, it is known as the Thanet derby.
==History== The earliest incarnation of Ramsgate FC had played since at least 1886 but folded in 1924, with local rivals Ramsgate Glenville taking over their Southwood Stadium. Glenville did not reform after World War II and a new club dubbed Ramsgate Athletic took over Southwood. The club retained the Athletic name until 1972.
Athletic played in the original incarnation of the Kent League from their formation until the collapse of the league in 1959. This was the club's best period for nearly 50 years, with two consecutive league titles, several county cups, and a run to the first round of the [[FA Cup]]. With the collapse of the Kent League the Rams migrated to the [[Southern League (football)|Southern League]], where they initially did well but were forced to resign and drop down to the re-formed [[Kent Football League|Kent League]] in 1976.
For nearly thirty years the club performed well without seriously challenging for promotion, but their fortunes changed in 2004 with the return of former manager Jim Ward. He led the club to two consecutive championships ([[Kent League Premier Division]] and [[Isthmian League First Division]]), taking the club into the [[Isthmian League]] Premier Division for 2006–07, which therefore offered the first derby matches for many years against [[Isle of Thanet]] rivals [[Margate F.C.|Margate]]. In the club's first season in the Premier Division the Rams finished in 9th place, and followed this with an even better season in 2007–08, finishing in 5th place to reach the play-offs, although they were beaten 2–1 in the semi-final by [[Staines Town F.C.|Staines Town]]. The Rams also won the [[Isthmian League Cup]], beating [[AFC Sudbury]] on penalties at [[Dartford F.C.|Dartford]]'s Princes Park ground. The following season, however, Ramsgate finished bottom of the table and were relegated.
The [[2023–24 FA Cup|2023–24 season]] saw Ramsgate reach the second round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in the club's history, defeating [[National League (division)|National League]] club [[Woking F.C.|Woking]] 2–1 in the first round to earn a trip to [[EFL League Two|League Two]] side [[AFC Wimbledon]], who won the match 5–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67279071|title=Ramsgate 2–1 Woking: Eighth-tier Ramsgate make FA Cup second round|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 November 2023|access-date=6 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67552696|title=FA Cup second round: Eighth-tier Ramsgate out to shock AFC Wimbledon in 'day on telly'|date=3 December 2023|work=BBC Sport|access-date=4 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/dec/04/afc-wimbledon-ramsgate-fa-cup-second-round-match-report|title=Ali al-Hamadi caps AFC Wimbledon rout to end Ramsgate's FA Cup fairytale|date=4 December 2023|work=Guardian|access-date=5 December 2023}}</ref> With the season having ended in disappointment with defeat in the play-offs, they were promoted as champions the [[2024–25 Isthmian League#South East Division|following season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.isthmian.co.uk/articles/rams-clinch-the-title-in-style|title=Rams clinch the title in style!|website=www.isthmian.co.uk|date=18 April 2025|access-date=18 April 2025}}</ref>
==Stadium== The Rams play their home games at Southwood Stadium, currently known under a sponsorship deal as the WW Martin Community Stadium. The ground has historically been best known for two large terraces at the Town End and the Manston Airport End behind each goal. Southwood Stadium has been the home of football in Ramsgate since the late 1800s and became the home of Ramsgate Athletic in 1945. Around this time the pitch was rotated 90 degrees, a covered Main Stand, later renamed the Colin Hill Stand, was erected with wooden benches installed running the length of the pitch and land parallel to the opposite touchline was used as a training pitch. Both ends of the ground were covered soon after which remained in place until the Great Storm of 1987 caused irreparable damage which resulted in only one side of the ground being covered until 2007, when both ends were once again covered. In the late 2000s the wooden benches were replaced with red seating.
Little improvement had been made at Southwood prior to James Lawson taking over as chairman in December 2019. In June 2020 Ramsgate refurbished the old Sponsor's Lounge and built the Corner Flag Bar, a glass fronted lounge overlooking the pitch as well as installing two Panna Cages.
2021 saw the laying of a 3G pitch. The opening of the pitch was against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] on 17 July 2021. The pitch is an artificial 3G playing surface which is graded at FIFA Quality Pro level, the highest ranking available. A car park for 200 cars replaced the previous training pitch.
Further advancements were made to increase the match day experience in 2022 with an elevated deck built between the Corner Flag Bar and Colin Hill Stand and new bar areas added. This area was further developed in 2023 with the installation of three containers providing bars for both sponsors and supporters. Future plans for Southwood include a new stand and education hub on the car park side of the ground.
==Supporters== [[File:Ramsgate F.C.png|thumb|right|The old logo of the club]] In the [[2007-08 in English football|2007–08]] season, Ramsgate's average attendance was 369, the twelfth highest figure in the [[Isthmian League]] Premier Division. For the visit of rivals Margate the crowd was 1,210, nearly double the attendance at any other match. The 2011–12 season had an average attendance of 159, 2012–13 was 157, 2013–14 was 269, 2014–15 was 248, 2015–16 was 207 and 2016–17 was 237.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/divisions/23/ | title = Attendances: Southern Counties East League Premier Division | access-date = 2018-01-12 | publisher = Tony's English Football Site }}</ref>
In the 2023–24 season the Rams average attendance grew to 1,075. During the season there was in excess of 1,000 fans at 14 games. 3,000 attended the FA Cup victory against Woking with over 2,500 watching the home draw with title rivals Cray Valley. 300 season tickets have been sold for the 2024–25 season.
==Current squad== ''As of 28 May 2026''<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk/site2/page.php?46 | title = Squad | access-date = 2012-08-17 | publisher = Ramsgate F.C |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080503204126/http://www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk/site2/page.php?46 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2008-05-03}}</ref>
{{football squad start}} <!-- For help using the below template, please see [[Template talk:Football squad player]] --> {{fs player|no=-- | nat=SCO| pos=GK| name=Jonny Henly}} {{fs player|no=-- | nat=ENG| pos=DF| name=Raphe Brown}} {{fs player|no=--| nat=ENG| pos=DF| name=[[Tom Clifford (footballer)|Tom Clifford]]}} {{fs player|no=-- | nat=ENG| pos=DF| name=Henry Lukonbo}} {{fs player|no=-- | nat=ENG| pos=DF| name=[[Dave Winfield (footballer)|Dave Winfield]]}} {{fs player|no=-- | nat=ENG| pos=MF| name=Billy Munday}} {{fs mid}} {{fs player|no=-- | nat=ENG| pos=MF| name=TJ Jadama|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}} {{fs player|no=-- | nat=ENG| pos=FW| name=Benny Bioletti}} {{fs player|no=--| nat=ENG| pos=FW| name=Alfie Paxman}} {{fs player|no=-- | nat=ENG| pos=FW| name=Solomon Ogunwomoju}} {{fs player|no=-- | nat=ENG| pos=FW| name=Callum Jones}} {{football squad end}}
===Out on loan=== {{fs start}} {{fs end}}
==Club officials==
===Ramsgate FC=== '''President:''' Lord Pendry <br/> '''Director:''' James Lawson <br/> '''Vice-presidents:''' Martin Able, Kevin Barham, David Butler, Ian Heath, Paul Jefcoat, Malcolm Mitchell, Steve Redford, Foy Turner, Colin West <br/> '''General Manager:''' Ian Heath <br/> '''Club Secretary:''' Ian Heath <br/> '''Matchday Secretary:''' Rob Hughes <br/> '''Media Officer:''' Dan Whitehead <br/> '''Safety & Welfare Officer:''' James Lawson <br/> '''Chief Scoreboard Operator and Matchday Communications Manager:''' Darius Sarrafan <br/> '''Programme Editor:''' Dan Whitehead
===Football management=== '''Manager''': [[Adrian Pennock]] <br/> '''Assistant Manager ''': [[Roland Edge]] <br/> ''' First Team Coach ''': Sean Hill <br/> ''' Goalkeeping Coach ''': Les Cleevely <br/> ''' Firness Coach ''': Neil Withington <br/> '''Sports Therapist:''' Georgina Dean <br/> '''Kit Manager:''' Philip Butler
===Managerial history=== {| class="toccolours" |- ! style="background:silver;"|Name ! style="background:silver;"|Dates ! style="background:silver;"|Achievements |- style="background:#eee;" |- |{{flagicon|England}} [[Bob Harrop]] || 1978 – 1981 || |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|England}} P.Gilbert || 1981 – 1983 || |- |{{flagicon|England}} S.Jest || 1983 – 1985 || |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|England}} L.Smith || 1985 – 1989 || Kent Senior Trophy Winners 1988 & 1989 |- |{{flagicon|England}} Vic Medus || 1989 – 1990|| |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|England}} Bob Wickens|| 1990 – 1992 || |- |{{flagicon|England}} Paul Rimmer/{{flagicon|England}} Lennie Lee|| 1992 – 1993 ||Kent League Cup Winners 1993 |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|England}} Lennie Lee|| 1993 – 1996 || Kent League Cup Winners 1994 & 1995<br />Kent League Charity Shield Winners 1994 & 1995 |- |{{flagicon|Scotland}} Jim Ward || July 1996 – June 2001 || Kent League Charity Shield Winners 1997<br />Kent League Champions 1999<br />Kent Senior Trophy Winners 1999<br />Kent League Cup Winners 2001 |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|England}} Peter Hook || July 2001 – March 2004|| |- |{{flagicon|Scotland}} Jim Ward || March 2004 – April 2012 || [[Southern Counties East Football League|Kent League]] Champions 2005<br />Kent League Cup Winners 2005<br />Kent League Charity Shield Winners 2005<br />[[Isthmian League]] Division One Champions 2006<br />[[FA Cup]] 1st round 2005–06<br />[[Isthmian League Cup]] Winners 2008<br />[[Isthmian League]] Premier Play Offs 2007–08 |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|England}} Tim Dixon || April 2012 – February 2014 || |- |{{flagicon|England}} Dean Hill & [[Mark Weatherly]] (Caretaker managers) || March 2014 || |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|England}} Justin Luchford || March 2014 – May 2014 || |- style="background:#eee;" |- |{{flagicon|England}} Dean Hill || May 2014 – January 2015 || |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|England}} Simon Halsey || January 2015 – May 2015|| |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|Scotland}} Jim Ward/Danny Ward || May 2015 – January 2017|| |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|England}} [[Lloyd Blackman (footballer)|Lloyd Blackman]] || January 2017 – December 2018|| |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|England}} Nick Davis || December 2018 – September 2019|| |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|England}} [[Jason Lillis]] || October 2019 – December 2019|| |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|England}} Matt Longhurst || December 2019 – April 2022|| |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Steve Lovell (Welsh footballer)|Steve Lovell]] || April 2022 – January 2023|| |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|England}} Jamie Coyle || February 2023 – April 2023|| |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|England}} Ben Smith || May 2023 – November 2025|| Isthmian League South East Division champions 2024–25<br />[[FA Cup]] 2nd Round 2023–24<br />[[FA Trophy]] 1st Round 2023–24 |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|England}} [[Lee Martin (footballer, born 1987)|Lee Martin]] || November 2025 - April 2026|| |- style="background:#eee;" |{{flagicon|England}} [[Adrian Pennock]] || April 2026 - Present|| |- style="background:#eee;" |}
==Honours== *'''[[Isthmian League]]''' **South East Division champions 2024–25 **First Division Champions 2005–06 **[[Alan Turvey Trophy|League Cup]] Winners 2007–08 *'''[[Kent Football League|Kent League]]''' **Champions 1948–49, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1998–99, 2004–05 **League Cup Winners 1948–49, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 2000–01, 2004–05 *'''Thames & Medway Combination Champions' Cup''' **Winners 1959–60 *'''Thames & Medway Combination Eastern Division Champions''' **1958–59, 1959–60, 1960–61 *'''[[Kent Senior Cup]]''' **Winners 1963–64 *'''Kent Senior Shield''' **Winners 1960–61, 1967–68, 1968–69 *'''Kent Senior Trophy''' **Winners 1987–88, 1988–89, 1998–99 *'''Kent League Charity Shield''' **Winners 1994, 1995, 1997, 2005
==Records== *Best league performance: 5th in [[Isthmian League]] Premier Division (level 7), [[2007–08 Isthmian League|2007–08]] *Best [[FA Cup]] performance: 2nd round proper, [[2023–24 FA Cup|2023–24]] *Best [[FA Trophy]] performance: 1st round proper, 2023–24 *Best [[FA Vase]] performance: Quarter-finals, 1999–2000<ref>{{fchd|name=Ramsgate|id=RAMSGATE}}</ref><ref>{{fchd|name=Ramsgate Athletic|id=RAMSGATA}}</ref> *Record attendance: 5,038 vs [[Margate F.C.|Margate]], 1956–57<ref name=NLCD>Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2020) ''Non-League Club Directory 2021'', p573 {{ISBN|978-1869833848}}</ref> *Biggest victory: 11–0 and 12–1 vs [[Canterbury City F.C.|Canterbury City]], [[Southern Counties East Football League|Kent League]], 2000–01<ref name=NLCD/> *Most Apps: Warren Schulz (458) *Most goals: Joe Taylor (170)
==Former players== {{further|:Category:Ramsgate F.C. players}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{official website|http://www.ramsgatefc.co.uk/}}
{{Isthmian League}}
[[Category:Ramsgate F.C.| ]] [[Category:Football clubs in Kent]] [[Category:Isthmian League clubs]] [[Category:Association football clubs established in 1886]] [[Category:Ramsgate]] [[Category:Southern Football League clubs]] [[Category:1886 establishments in England]] [[Category:Southern Counties East Football League]] [[Category:Men's football clubs in England]]