Ramsgate appoint Ben Smith as their new manager on a two-year contract

RAMSGATE chairman James Lawson has appointed Ben Smith as their new manager, becoming the club’s first ever contracted manager on a two-year deal.

“Ben is a manager who recently achieved promotion from our level. The two-year contract will give him to the time to produce a squad that reflects his own footballing identity," Lawson said in a statement.

“Ben knows the local area very well. He is deputy head at a Thanet secondary school and will work closely with our youth, women’s and under 23 teams.

“Ben will be a fantastic presence which will further enhance the strong connection between the club and local families.”

Smith, who has previously managed Canterbury City and Herne Bay, added: “I am really excited to be offered the opportunity to manage such a fantastic community football club.

“The work that James Lawson and his team have done off the pitch has hugely increased the profile and stature of the club and after missing out narrowly for the last two seasons, the next step for the club is promotion.

“I know how difficult that target is in a competitive league and we will work hard to ensure that we have a squad that is capable of producing the consistency required to achieve this for everyone at Ramsgate FC.”

The Rams finished runners-up in the Isthmian League South East Division table, finishing seven points adrift of champions Chatham Town, but lost in the play-offs to fifth-placed finishers Hythe Town, who lost 1-0 at Whitehawk in the play-off final.

The Rams were managed by Steve Lovell and then Jamie Coyle during the 2022-23 season.

Visit Ramsgate’s website: www.ramsgatefc.co.uk