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The unsung heroes who have helped Ramsgate to the top of Isthmian South East

Ramsgate coach Darren Beale has picked out some of the unsung heroes behind their title challenge.

Captain Joe Taylor and TJ Jadama regularly receive the plaudits for their contributions at Southwood.

Defender Jay Leader. Picture: Stuart Watson
Defender Jay Leader. Picture: Stuart Watson

They’re richly deserved, too, with Taylor on 35 goals already and fellow local lad Jadama providing a string of assists to go with his eight goals.

But it’s very much a team effort for the Isthmian South East leaders who are due at Littlehampton tonight (7.45pm) following the postponement of Saturday’s game at Broadbridge Heath.

“The local lads get highlighted more because they are local and they are out and about in the Thanet area,” said Beale.

“But you could probably go through the whole side and mention everyone.

“Jay Leader, he’s someone who’s not only been a colossus in defence, he’s scoring goals as well. I think he’s scored three or four in the last few games.

“Roarie Deacon, it’s the first time I’ve worked with him, and he’s someone who impresses me game after game with the amount of experience he’s got.

“Tommy Clifford, the left-back, is another one.

“He’s been at that higher level with Southend and he’s just Mr Consistent - he’s seven, eight, nine out of 10, week in, week out.

“They’re players we probably don’t talk enough about.

“Lewis Gard in midfield is another one and Benny Bioletti, who’s been away for a week or so but he’s back at the weekend.

Left-back Tom Clifford. Picture: Stuart Watson
Left-back Tom Clifford. Picture: Stuart Watson

“He’s a massive threat.

“Leading up to Christmas he was creating chance after chance and the last couple of games before he had the little break, he’s scored a couple as well.

“Joe Ellul, he comes in and out of the side, he’s picked up a few knocks, but he’s been in the side for decent results.

“He’s another Mr Consistent for us.”

Gard, like Clifford, was at Southend, while ex-Faversham man Bioletti had a spell at Colchester before returning to non-league.

It’s not easy leaving the full-time game but the trio are enjoying their football at Ramsgate.

“I quite like looking at the psychology of the players, knowing their background and stuff like that,” said Beale.

“When you come out of the pro game, I think a lot of players are disillusioned.

“There’s a hard barrier to get over when you’re in amongst it day after day, working at a full-time club, and you take that knock when you’re released.

“It’s just giving them that love back for football.

“The likes of Tommy Clifford, Benny, and Gardy, when you talk to them, that’s what Ramsgate have given them, that love of football.

“Ramsgate might not be the club they’ve come straight to from full-time football, they might have been at another non-league club first, but not really got that passion back.

“Whether that’s a time thing, I don’t know.

“It would be nice to think it’s how Ben (Smith, manager) works and how we work as a management that we do make it more enjoyable.

Rams midfielder Benny Bioletti. Picture: Stuart Watson
Rams midfielder Benny Bioletti. Picture: Stuart Watson

“I don’t know but speaking to them over Christmas, they have got that love for the game back.

“No doubt they all could all be playing at a higher level.

“Hopefully they stick with us and we can give them that, we can move up to that next level and kick on from there.”

The management took the chance to watch Ramsgate Athletic - effectively the club’s reserve side - at the weekend.

They lost 3-1 at home to Kent United in the Kent County League Premier Division - Finley Bough with the goal.

There’s plenty of young talent in the Steamers’ ranks and they get the chance to train with the first team.

“We were all there watching on Saturday,” said Beale.

“We work closely with their management team and get the players into training.

“There’s a lot of prospects there.

“It’s maybe a little bit too soon for them this season but certainly towards pre-season and going into next season, we’ll have more in and there’s quite a bit of talent there.

“There are under-18s and under-16s playing men’s football and they’re holding their own and doing really well.

“It’s nice knowing they’re coming through and we haven’t always got to rely on going out and getting players in.

“I think we have a nice mixture at the moment of players who travel and have played at higher levels, and the local lads.”

Ramsgate host Beckenham this Saturday (3pm).

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