Man Utd are in crisis | Football Digest
Ramsgate FC’s fairytale FA Cup journey continues on Saturday against National League side Woking. One player who could be in line for an appearance is Lee Martin, a former football wonderkid who set Manchester United back a nine-figure transfer fee during his teenage years.
Martin learned his trade in Wimbledon’s academy, and when the Red Devils came calling in 2003, the south-west London outfit received £1million in compensation. The attacking midfielder made three senior appearances across four seasons with the Red Devils, with years spent learning from the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.
Racking up six different loan spells during his time at Old Trafford, Martin’s journeyman image was already gathering pace by the time he signed for Ipswich Town in 2009.
The next decade was spent playing regular football in the EFL with the Tractor Boys, as well as Millwall, Gillingham and Exeter City.
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Now 36 years old, Martin’s steady decline down the divisions has landed him at Ramsgate. The Kent outfit play their football in the Isthmian League South East Division – the eighth tier of English football.
The Rams’ lowly standing in the pyramid means that their FA Cup bid started way back in August against Bexhill United. Four further qualifying-round wins followed to set up a crunch meeting with Woking on Saturday.
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Ramsgate have made a solid start to their league season, winning five of their first six matches, but their upcoming FA Cup showdown will pose a markedly different test. As a player with 16 clubs on his CV – many of which in the football league – Martin’s experience could prove vital.
Striker Joe Martin may also play a key role after scoring the winner against AFC Totton in the final qualifying round. “In my mind I was just trying to anticipate the bounce of the ball,” he said following the game. “Thankfully the defender didn’t and I did. That is where the goal is made, when the clearance is made.
“I only had one quick look up to see where the goalkeeper was and I didn’t have to think too much to be honest, it was instinctive. I made good contact and once you make good contact in those situations it usually ends up in the back of the net.
“I am really happy with it and the fact I got to share it with the fans. I know a lot of them behind that goal. I am from Thanet and I see a lot of them in the shops. It was special getting to do my celebration in front of those fans and they were singing my name. It’s a special moment for me and my family and everyone connected with Ramsgate.”
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