Ramsgate appoint Tony Russell as manager and Joe Vines as assistant after the pair spent three seasons with Lewes in the Isthmian Premier Division – Ben Smith departs after missing out on promotion

Ramsgate have unveiled their new management team following Ben Smith’s departure late last week.

The Rams have been quick to replace Smith, with Tony Russell taking over and Joe Vines in as his assistant.

Russell said he had four offers during the close season after they ended a three-year spell at Lewes following the 2023/24 campaign. It was Ramsgate who proved the most appealing.

“I feel fresh and I have some ideas I've been working on,” said Russell. “I am looking forward to implementing them at Ramsgate.

“We aren’t people that want to jump around from club to club, I don’t want to just bounce around. I want to stay somewhere and build and grow.

“When you look at Ramsgate from afar there was one thing that blew me away. A lot of people have got their perception wrong about them, they think everyone is getting big money. If it was about money, I would have gone somewhere else.

“The work they do for the community is outstanding. They are feeding families in the areas, providing underprivileged kids with laptops and teaching kids to even ride a bike, swimming lessons, hours and hours of free (football) sessions on the pitch. Even helicopter rides for kids!

“I am as excited about that part as I am the football and I said to (chairman) James (Lawson) that I want to be a part of that. I come from humble beginnings, a council estate in South London, that’s important to me. That drew me in more as much as everything else. I am delighted to be here and excited about it.”

Vines added: “It’s an exciting project, it’s a huge club. I have got some familiarity with the club having been down the road with the noisy neighbours at Margate as a player.

“I remember playing (at Ramsgate) in a Thanet Cup game some years ago and thankfully