Ramsgate manager Ben Smith on the possibility of swapping divisions with Thanet rivals Margate

Ben Smith says Margate’s league status is irrelevant to Ramsgate as the Thanet clubs face the possibility of swapping divisions.

Gate are fighting for survival in the Isthmian Premier while Rams are leading a three-way scrap for the Isthmian South East title.

They haven’t met in a league fixture since 2008/9 when Ramsgate were relegated, just a year after finishing above Margate to make the Isthmian Premier play-offs.

Rams are desperate to win their first league title in 18 years.

And while that could involve overtaking their neighbours, boss Smith said: “To be honest, I think Margate are irrelevant to Ramsgate in that sense.

“We don’t need them for a gate.

“They’re not very well attended, are they?

“It’s not like having them and suddenly we’ll get an extra gate where we get loads of money in.

“We would get a big gate but we get that anyway so it doesn’t make much impact what league they’re in to us.

“I think the club deserves to be in a higher league than Margate if you’re looking at it like that but, at the end of the day, the proof’s in the pudding and we’ve got to get over the line.

“We’re desperate to do that for James (Lawson), the chairman, who has put so much into this, and I’m not talking finances, I’m talking time. It’s turned into his life’s work.

“And we’re also desperate to do it for the supporters.”

Ramsgate came from 2-0 down to win 5-2 at Beckenham on Saturday and stay two points clear at the top.

Cray Valley remain hot on their heels and Sittingbourne, nine points back in third, are also in the race with 10 games to go.

Ashford assistant boss Tommy Osborne recently said Ramsgate would also be challenging in the Isthmian Premier and able to hold their own in National League South, such is the strength of