Ramsgate manager Ben Smith on the exits of new Welling United boss Lee Martin and defender Joe Ellul

Boss Ben Smith has wished Lee Martin well as the midfielder leaves Ramsgate for a first managerial role.

The one-time Manchester United man, 38, has taken over at new Isthmian Premier rivals Welling ahead of the 2025/26 season following their National League South relegation.

While Smith says it’s hard to definitely tell whether a player will be more suited to a coaching position or the hot-seat until they hang up their boots, he sees no reason why Martin can’t be a top boss.

He said: “In terms of how he sees the game and his knowledge of football, absolutely (he could be a successful manager). But you just don’t know whether you’re going to be a manager or a coach, do you? Do I think he could be a good manager? Absolutely.

“It’s all about having the right moves and the right steps to get you set up. Time will tell if that’s the right first step for him or not.

“I think he could have gone higher in some capacity but, traditionally and historically, they’re a big club. We’ll see how things pan out.

“There’s absolutely no hard feelings there. I desperately wanted him to stay, but I can understand the decision he’s made.

“We have already been on the phone since and nothing changes between the two of us in that sense.

“We wish him really well.”

Martin, formerly of Ipswich, Gillingham, Exeter and Ebbsfleet, looked like his illustrious career could come to a bitter end as he became a fall guy for the tough times at Dover in recent years.

But he then linked-up with Smith at Southwood - leaving for Ashford, only to rejoin newly-promoted champions Ramsgate in September - and has become an FA Cup hero. He netted the winner in their 2-1 first-round victory over Woking in November 2023.

“It was tough for him to make a call on that,”