Ramsey aims to go out on a high
Royals skipper is targeting promotion in 2021/22
Steve Ramsey reckons AFC Portchester will finally realise their ambition of reaching the Southern League in 2022.
The Royals captain has been at the club for five years but has so far been unable to help his side achieve promotion out of the Wessex League Premier Division.
But Ramsey, 31, believes the appointment of Dave Carter as manager and talk of some of the players that could be moving to the Crest Finance Stadium this summer will ensure 2021-22 is the season they finally achieve their dream.
Since joining the Royals from Gosport Borough in 2016, the midfielder has been surprised with the 'pressure' players and managers face at the club.
Yet he is adamant that the squad Carter, who took Moneyfields up from the Wessex Premier to the Southern League for the first time, assembles will deliver the promotion Portchester have long been striving for.
‘I have had a chat with him over the phone (Carter) and he seems to be buzzing, to be fair, like all of us,' Ramsey revealed.
‘If you look at his CV, he’s had promotion and stuff, I’m sure it’s what he’ll be trying to do to get out in that first year.
‘The Portchy job, you wouldn’t believe the pressure that comes with it.
‘I think that’s why quite a lot of people didn’t want to take it because of the pressure.
‘Everyone says about the budget - people make up rumours about the budget, it’s not what people think.
‘I think hopefully, if we get going again in August, then we’ll do well.
‘Some of the players I’ve heard he’s bringing in, the new manager, we’ll be a real force next year I reckon. Mark my words, this will be the year.'
Ramsey admitted next term could be his last as a player.
The former Hawks and Gosport midfielder is pondering hanging up his boots and wants to go out on a promotion high.
Carter will at least be bidding to start his tenure they've assembled. better than where the club But he feels now is the time found themselves after18to step up and reward 12 Wessex Premier chairman Paul games before the Kelly and club season curtailment. volunteers for their time and
Portchester effort at the were down Crest Finance in ninth, 18 Stadium. points adrift Ramsey of leaders said: ‘I can’t Hamworthy put my finger with two games on what it is in hand. at the moment
Ramsey is at a loss because the teams and as to why the Royals haven't some of the players we’ve fared better in recent seasons had are brilliant players, but with some of the squads it just doesn’t seem to click I’m
sure it will.
‘Everything around the ground, Paul Kelly (chairman) does wonders for the club.
‘The way it works, all the hospitality fills up every week, this season he filled up hospitality virtually every single game. It’s a brilliant club.
‘I think it’s my last year playing as well so I want to go out with winning the league.
‘All the volunteers that work around the club are brilliant. They deserve it for them, really.’
The Portchy job, you wouldn’t believe the pressure that comes with it
Steve Ramsey