Former Tonbridge Angels winger Joe Turner on joining Ramsgate and having his old manager Steve McKimm as a title rival

Joe Turner is determined to enjoy himself at Ramsgate after cutting short a break from football to join their Isthmian South East title challenge.

Turner was set to sit out the rest of the season after leaving AFC Totton a few weeks ago, where long journeys on his own were taking their toll mentally on the 30-year-old.

He signed for the Hampshire-based Southern League club after ending his six-year stay at Tonbridge last October.

The winger has nothing but good things to say about Totton but a 170-mile round trip to training on a Thursday night plus long away games were starting to affect him.

And while Ramsgate is only slightly closer to his Godstone home, on the Kent border, a car school reduces his driving and makes the journey significantly easier to be travelling with friends.

Turner’s move to Southwood sees him reunited with ex-Tonbridge team-mates Jack Parter, Craig Stone and Mike West while, as a teacher, he shares the same profession as manager Ben Smith.

Rams moved for Turner after he left Tonbridge and, in hindsight, he wishes he’d gone there in the first place.

“Totton’s a fantastic club and probably the most professional set-up I’ve been in at non-league level,” said Turner.

“But the travelling just became too much for me.

“It was taking its toll on my body and my home life.

“I had an honest conversation with Jimmy (Ball) the manager and he totally understood.

“I wasn’t at home as much as I’d have liked.

“I’ve got a young daughter and you want to see your family, as well as playing football.

“I had two-and-a-half weeks to myself after leaving Totton and I didn’t expect anything to occur.

“I was in the mindset that was me done for this season and see if anything materialises in the summer.

“But I had five or