Ramsgate manager Lee Martin on the ‘ill-timed’ departure of Malachi Napa just a month after joining and why standards must be remain high for the rest of the season

Ramsgate manager Lee Martin says money makes the world go round after losing Malachi Napa - just a month after signing him.

Napa joined the Rams in February after scoring 26 goals in 37 games for Isthmian North outfit Redbridge this season but the attacking midfielder has already moved on.

He’s left Southwood for a second spell at Maldon & Tiptree, with Ramsgate unable to get anywhere near the wages on offer at the Essex club.

It’s a blow for Martin, who described Napa’s exit as “ill-timed”, while understanding his reasons.

“We’ve lost Napa, going to Maldon & Tiptree for more money,” said Martin.

“Unfortunately we don’t have a budget where we can pay what he’s getting there.

“We got a seven-dayer in for him and he said he wanted to speak to the club and that was that.

“It’s very ill-timed, very poor on his behalf.

“We brought him in to earn a contract for next season but he saw the opportunity of more money.

“I’d never begrudge someone going for more money but it’s disappointing because we wanted to bring in a culture and a mindset and hone in on players we can move forward with.

“But if players want more money rather than a culture where they can grow and develop and have an elite mindset, that’s fine.

“Money makes the world go round, I understand that, and when teams are able to chuck silly money around, who are we to stand in their way?

“We can’t compete with that and we’ve got the added difficulty, location-wise, of trying to bring people down.

“We’ve got that, and then teams have an abundance of funds and financial packages which they can put to the players, which we don’t, so we have to box smart.

“We’re trying to create something here that isn’t just a flash in the pan. In the end, you design a group of men that