Ramsgate manager Ady Pennock signs defender/midfielder Cameron James from Isthmian North champions Maldon & Tiptree

Ramsgate boss Ady Pennock has completed his fourth new signing of the summer.

The Rams have signed Cameron James from Isthmian North champions Maldon & Tiptree.

The 28-year-old, who is equally at home in defence or midfield, was named players’ and supporters’ player-of-the-year after a season that also saw them reach the first round of the FA Cup.

He brings plenty of experience to Ramsgate and Pennock was delighted to have James on board.

“He's a right-back, centre-half, midfielder, a real utility player,” said Pennock.

“He was Maldon’s players’ and supporters’ player-of-the-year so we’re really pleased to get him on board.”

James was at Colchester from the age of nine and made 31 first-team appearances before he was released in 2020.

He had loan spells at Welling United and Maidstone during that time before he joined Chelmsford, where he played 149 times over five years for his hometown club.

He’ll be reunited with former Callum Jones from his Colchester days and former Chelmsford team-mate Dave Winfield at Southwood.

“He’s 28 and has played league football when he started his career at Colchester,” said Pennock.

“He's got a wealth of experience and is very good in the changing room. He’s someone I was looking at for a while and I’m really pleased to get him.

“He's got a really good background having been at Colchester. So he knows Callum from there and Dave Winfield from his time at Chelmsford so that was a big factor as well.

“It was a no-brainer for me to ask them the question and straight away, they both said to sign him.”

James can play in a variety of positions so has Pennock signed him predominantly as a midfielder or defender?

“He's so comfortable playing wherever,” responded the Ramsgate boss.

“I think he