Ramsgate manager Matt Longhurst says they can get 10 years out of their young side

Ramsgate manager Matt Longhurst says he is building a team for the next 10 years.

The Rams side who won 3-1 at Phoenix Sports on Saturday included seven players under the age of 23.

There’s big potential in a squad packed with young players, with Longhurst planning for the long-term.

That’s not to say there won’t be immediate success, as Rams sit fourth in Isthmian South East after goals from Jamie Coyle, Ollie Bate and TJ Jadama at Phoenix.

“We’ve got 10 years of this team,” said Longhurst.

“That’s always been my idea at all the clubs I’ve been at, to have a young team, but I’ve never been able to keep them together because clubs come in and cherry-pick them.

“The difference here is we’re able to put players on contract, they can see all the work we’re doing to build the club and they’re part of that process themselves.

“I look at some managers and think you’re planning for now, and not looking at any future plans.

“It was important we looked at that and built a team that can stay together.

"One or two will likely move on to higher level levels but 80 per cent will be here for a number of years.”

Longhurst, who succeeded Jason Lillis at the end of 2019, intends to be around to see the fruits of his labour as Ramsgate continue to grow, on and off the pitch.

As a full-time employee, he’s thrown himself into all areas of the club, including youth and community operations and plans for a new £2 million stand at Southwood.

“Really and truly, it was a five-year plan when I first came in,” said Longhurst.

“In the first 18 months we probably only kicked a ball for six months, because of Covid, but we used that lockdown period to get so much work done.

“We weren’t the only club to do that but we used the time well.

"Everything