 Born in Bishop Auckland, Ramsden started his career with Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre A.F.C., and was eventually scouted by Sunderland and after graduating from the club's youth academy he was promoted to the first team squad under Peter Reid during the 2001–02 season.He made his professional debut however for Notts County where he would spend the entire 2002–03 season on loan, with his debut coming on 24 August 2002, in the club's 2–0 league defeat against Wigan Athletic.In his absence Sunderland had dismissed Reid and his replacement Howard Wilkinson and were now under the stewardship of Mick McCarthy.