by Craig Tucker

Sittingbourne joint-boss Jim Ward insists he bears no grudges as he prepares to return to former club Ramsgate.

Ward, pictured, must first focus on the Brickies’ home game against Ryman League Division 1 South form team Tooting & Mitcham on Saturday.

But on Tuesday, he and brother Danny (fellow joint-manager) along with Bourne players Ollie Gray, Nick Treadwell, Curtis Winnett and Joe Taylor will be looking to take three points at their old club.

Jim – the most successful manager in Ramsgate’s history – was made to step down at the end of last season and rejected a director of football role to take over at Sittingbourne.

He said: "I gave Ramsgate the most successful period in their history and they had a lot of my best years, so I hope I get the respect I’m due. I don’t go there bearing any grudges and I don’t want to beat Ramsgate more than any other club.

"I wasn’t prepared to move upstairs and help make my replacement (Tim Dixon) into a better manager by having him pick my brains.

"Danny left a few years before me but he was there when we won all the trophies. I'm from Dundee – not Ramsgate – so it’s not an issue for me going back there."