Jim Ward is in upbeat and bullish mood ahead of the Ryman League Division 1 South kick-off at home to Guernsey this weekend.

The Ramsgate joint-boss watched his side win 3-1 against Premier Division Grays Athletic in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday.

He said: “Everyone is looking forward to it and we think we have got something here this season."

Rams start at home to Guernsey on Saturday (1pm), before a trip to Faversham next Tuesday.

Ward said: “We have got the boys to the level of fitness we want and (coach) Lloyd Blackman has done a great job in that respect. The hard work and organisation has been done, we know what shape we want to play and will be working on set-pieces in training this week.”

Ward, meanwhile has explained the reasons behind the departure of Nick Treadwell and Aaron Quain.

He said: “Nick has been our player for the last four of five years but is off to New Zealand in December, so won’t feature in our plans.

“Whitstable wanted him, so he has gone there, while Aaron says he wants to take a break from the game.”

Macauley Murray has rejoined the club after returning from a spell travelling, while Ward insists that Aaron Millbank won’t be rushed back, having rejoined his home town club after being released by Gillingham.

He said: “Aaron has been out of the game for 15 months because of injury but we are planning to give him a run-out in an in-house game in a couple of weeks’ time.

Ramsgate will host Erith Town in the FA Cup Preliminary Round on Saturday week.

The Southern Counties East League side won 2-0 in their replay at Sutton Common on Monday.

Rams have been paired again with Sittingbourne in the first round of the Kent Senior Cup.

They already face each other in the Alan Turvey Trophy, sponsored by Robert Dyas.