Ramsgate FC chairman James Lawson says the club has reached the moon and is now aiming for the stars as the team heads into the 2nd round tie of the Emirates FA Cup next month.
The Rams have already made club history with a giant-killing performance against Woking on November 4 resulting in a 2-1 win for Rams and their place in the second round.
Team and fans of the Isthmian League South East side were jubilant following the victory over the National League club with goals from Lee Martin and TJ Jadama.
The second round tie is against AFC Wimbledon and will take place at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Monday 4 December, 7.45pm kick off.
The match will be screened live on ITV4 meaning a broadcast fee of £60,000 for Rams.
James said: “Financially it’s £60,000 which will help smooth the running of the club in the immediate term. But, more importantly, is the moment it creates around the club and the town. The response has been incredible, people who are not traditionally involved with the club are excited so I am desperate for the people to have their day.
“The media interest is going to grow in the lead up which means volunteers, youth players, supporters will all have a chance to be interviewed and to have their moment.
“We have reached the moon and now we are aiming for the stars. What we have achieved is unparalleled, club’s our size do not, or very rarely, get to the second round of the FA Cup and if we win this we potentially draw Man United or Arsenal or one of the top 16.”
Due to the match being on the Monday evening the third round draw will actually be made while the Rams are playing and so they will know who they are going up against next if they win.
James, who revealed he had barely slept while waiting for confirmation that the match would be screened on TV, said: “It’s exciting and a great thing to be involved in.”
He added: “The most important message I want to get across is we have worked with Wimbledon to keep this affordable so tickets will be £10 and £5 for kids and we are trying to keep coach tickets down to £10 so will have 25 coaches for families which will make it much easier for them. The whole thing about the club is we do it cheaper than the premier league where it would cost a family £200 but they can come to Ramsgate for £20.
“Wimbledon is a beautiful stadium and to be able to take our youth players and our HAF (Holiday, activities and food programme) families is a dream.”
Rams FC has been allocated 1400 tickets for the game.
