Kayne Ramsay 38 Northampton Town

KAYNE R A M S A Y

As Kayne Ramsay approached his fourth year as a professional footballer, a level of maturity began to develop in the summer of this year. The defender took the decision to permanently leave the environment of a Premier League academy in search of regular first-team exposure. After learning of Simon Weaver’s interest, one conversation was all it took to convince the former Southampton and Chelsea full-back that Harrogate Town was the club for him. Words: Nickolas McInally

“As soon as I spoke to The Gaffer and Thirs (Paul Thirlwell) I knew this was the right place to go. As characters they are great people to work with, it’s like a family here. They put me in my place when I have done wrong but equally they will praise me when I have done well.

I turned 22 this year and for me it’s just about playing games. I have played around 40 to 60 professional games in my career so far but for my development I want to increase the minutes I am getting in games and carry on improving.

I think that’s the most important thing for young players in football. It’s not about coming through an academy of a club it’s about getting out there on the pitch and earning the right to play every week.”

Now, after four months of first team exposure, Town’s number 20 wishes he had made the decision sooner.

“For any young players who are in the system now, I would definitely say get in and around first team football as soon as possible. I wish I was around first team football even sooner than I was before.

“I was fortunate enough to have the chance to play in the Premier League when I was 18 but I still would have taken the opportunity to play regular men’s football sooner.”

Despite growing up an Arsenal fan, it was city rivals Chelsea where Kayne began his journey to professional football. However, Ramsay always had a point to prove against the team he supports.

“Chelsea was the first team I got scouted for as a kid. I am an Arsenal fan growing up so it was a bit strange. The games against Arsenal were always tough battles.”

“I had a lot of friends who played for Arsenal at the time so there was a little bit extra in those games. It was a great experience growing up playing for pride. Of course you always want to prove yourself and I always wanted to win against Arsenal.”

In representing one of Britain’s biggest club’s there was an added pressure which the right sided defender enjoyed.

“Representing a club like Chelsea there is always a pressure to win and to perform well. There is a lot of players all competing for every position, so it was all about earning your place and playing your best football”

“I loved that pressure, as a young kid leaving school and going in to Chelsea it was a great experience for me.”

Having left the club five-and-a-half years ago, the defender revealed his time with the Chelsea academy gave him the opportunity to build friendships for life.

“I made a lot of friends when I was there and there are a lot of boys who I keep in contact with now. Before every Saturday we are always messaging each other good luck and it’s great to see them do well.”

However, with significantly high levels of competition for places, the opportunity to join Southampton was one which was too good to turn down for Ramsay.

“At that point there was so many players in my position all competing to play. I was up against the likes of Reece James, Dujon Sterling and Tariq Lamptey. For me I had to go and prove myself and earn the right to play every week. Southampton had an academy which was going from strength to strength and producing a lot of players. I knew there was a system and a route of progression in to the first team for me.”

As Ramsay began to adapt to life on the coast the responsibility of captaining the Southampton U23 side was one which he enjoyed.

“I was training with the first team a lot when I was playing for the under 23’s and because of my involvement with the first team I had a bit more experience so I had to be a leader for our squad on the pitch. I don’t think the arm band means very much to be honest. In any team, everyone should be a leader and everyone’s voice should be heard.”

A little over three months after making the switch, Ramsay was handed his senior debut by Southampton manager Ralph Hassenhüttl. In making his debut against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, the defender recalls the delight shared with his family and friends.

“It was around Christmas. It was a tough schedule and there was a lot of games. I knew I had a chance of featuring. After training on Boxing Day, the gaffer pulled me in to his office and told me I was going to play. I didn’t really start to get nervous until the night before. It was great to see the smile on my mum’s face. There is nothing better, even extended family and friends were reaching out to say how happy they were for me and that was great. I played up against Sterling. I watched a lot of football so I had an understanding of his traits. I remember telling myself not to switch off. The senior players were great in encouraging me and helping me in that game.”

With the former Southampton and RB Leipzig manager Hassenhüttl departing St Mary’s earlier this season, Ramsay paid tribute to the Austrian for the positive impact he had on the rightback’s career. “He was a great manager. If you do something right in training he is always watching you. I learned a lot from him and being in that environment with the experienced players. A lot of my habits I have picked up from them.”

This taste of first team experience was a sign of things to come as Ramsay departed The Saints to join Shrewsbury Town on loan in January 2020.

“Shrewsbury was a great loan spell. It got cut short because of covid but even in those few games I came away having learned a lot. When I came back to Southampton I knew I just wanted to play as much first team football as possible. That was why I then joined Crewe. That was a club where I was able to play a lot of football. However, unfortunately I picked up an injury which ruled me out for ten weeks and halted my momentum.”

Following a successful six months with Crewe, Ramsay headed North to link up with Ross County as they pushed for a top six finish. The defender believes the demands placed on him by Malky Mackay helped him to develop as a player.

“We were fighting for top six and managed to get that finish. Malky Mackay was a great manager to work with. From the minute I walked in the building I knew what he wanted from me and I had a clear idea in my head. I managed to pick up my first goal against Livingston who we were battling for top six. At the time I didn’t even realise that was my first professional goal. I didn’t really celebrate because I was so caught up in the game.”

After swapping Southampton for the yellow and black of Harrogate, the defender believes one performance sticks out as his highlight so far.

“I can’t help but think about the first game against Bradford. I conceded the penalty and my opponent scored and we lost the game at home. However, we were able to put in a great performance and pick up a win away soon after. That is a highlight for me. Personally, it’s about learning from mistakes and using them to improve and that victory shows just that.”

Having seen fellow full-back Jahiem Headley get on the scoresheet, Ramsay is targeting an improved attacking output in the second half of the season. “Jahiem is doing great in defence and attack. Full-backs are really important in the formation we play. We have to keep kicking on as a group and playing as a team to start getting more victories on the board. I want to help contribute more in attack. That might be through goals or assists. However, the opportunity has to present itself. If I need to stay back and help defensively and make a difference then I’ll play my role.”

As the season edges towards the half way point, Ramsay hopes the side can use the positive performances to their advantage and enter the second half of the season in good form.

“We have to keep pushing on as a team, we have an aim as a squad which we want to achieve but that’s on us to get there. This season we have been unfortunate at times but our performances give us confidence and hopefully we can show our quality. We have shown the level of performance we can produce. For us now, we have to match those levels in every game we play. No one can switch off because we have a good squad with players waiting for their opportunity to come in.”

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