Ramsgate chairman James Lawson says the ‘big-spending’ Isthmian South East champions are actually making money and will continue to run as a self-sustaining club

Ramsgate chairman James Lawson says the club will remain self-sustaining in the Isthmian Premier next season.

Rams have a reputation as big spenders but the new Isthmian South East champions actually make money.

The opinions of others don’t concern Lawson, who doesn’t put a penny of his own money into the club.

“We’ll make sure we remain sustainable,” said Lawson.

“Lots of people talk about how much money we spend but they don’t talk about us turning over a million pounds last year and we made £100,000, so we’re turning profit, and that’s credit to the supporters, they’re spending their money with us.

“It doesn’t bother me. I completely understand it.

“We’ve hit upon a few income streams that have enabled us to spend more money on the pitch but I understand that other people run clubs and they don’t hit upon other revenue streams, and it is hard work, it isn’t luck.

“But I can see it from their perspective.

“People look at expenditure and never at income.

“Income is the critical thing. If you bring the money in, you’re allowed to spend it on the pitch.

“I don’t put any personal money into the side at all. It’s all self-sustaining from the club.”

Lawson saw Ramsgate clinch the title with a 4-0 win at Hythe on Good Friday after several near-misses in recent years.

A sell-out crowd of 3,300 saw them presented with the trophy after the Easter Monday home game against Margate, which the visitors won 4-1.

Rams put a challenging summer behind them that saw manager Ben Smith replaced by Tony Russell, only to return when his successor quit less than a month later.

It all worked out in the end they can enjoy their success.

“It took a long time, four years and a couple of play-off defeats, but we got there,” said Lawson. “My