Lee Martin speaks about his return to Ramsgate as player-coach following short spell as Welling United manager

Lee Martin’s affiliation with Ramsgate was a key factor behind his swift return to football after being sacked as Welling manager.

Martin was dismissed at the start of the month after only 13 games in charge of the Wings, having been given little time in his first managerial role.

There was plenty of interest in his services after Welling pulled the plug but that affection for Ramsgate, where he won the Isthmian South East title as a player last season, helped secure a return to Southwood.

The 38-year-old, now in his third spell with the club, has taken on a player-coach role under manager Ben Smith.

“As soon as I got let go, I had four or five calls to see if I’d be interested in coming back playing and it just wasn’t on the cards, but that was just my mindset,” said midfielder Martin.

“But the more it went on - believe it or not, I had more calls about playing than I did in the last two years - my affiliation with Ramsgate, and my family, made it that bit easier.

“And the opportunity to go and coach and lend some ideas around the place and work closely with Ben, who’s my mate, always helps.

“Off the back of a tough spell with football and being scrutinised quite a bit down at Dover, to find a home was so important, and Ramsgate gave me that (when he first joined the club in 2023).

“So they’re always in my heart in a footballing sense, so it was nice to come home.”

Martin has an important dual-role as Ramsgate look to find their way in the Isthmian Premier.

They’re mid-table in their first season up after mixed results, losing 2-1 at leaders Brentwood on Saturday, a match Martin watched alongside Smith.

He’s kept himself in decent shape - it’s just a case of building match fitness - and will use his experience on the