Ramsgate go into the new Isthmian League season this weekend with many people tipping the Thanet club for promotion and that’s sweet music to new boss Ben Smith.

Smith yesterday told us of how his appointment came about and his wish to bring in as many local players as well as the experience all clubs need.

With both in mind, our conversation turned to Smith’s latest signing, which incidentally ticks both boxes.

“When a player like Joe Taylor becomes available at this stage of pre-season it’s a bit of a shock to be honest,” Smith told us.

“People straight away, and I don’t blame them, will be saying money, money, money, but those who know Joe know that he doesn’t move for finances.”

“He’s a local boy who lives three or four minutes from Southwood and he could have gone to probably fifteen other Clubs for more money, but for him at this stage of his life, and this stage of his career, I think he’s the perfect fit for us and the local community will get to see one of their own in his prime as opposed to Joe Taylor ending his career and coming here when he’s mid-thirties, maybe not at his peak.” 

“It’s an exciting signing for us and I can feel that as people are talking about it already and are excited about seeing him at the Club.”

“The Club has tried signing him before, I’ve tried signing him before, but he was very loyal to Lewes and Tony Russell, and I just think that it’s the timing of us bringing players in that he knows as well as having prospects of being successful worked in our favour really!” 

“We know that we’re starting with a target on our backs. I’m not going to dress it up any other way. On paper we probably are favourites, but those who know this League know that as much as we’re “going for it”, there will be six or seven other Clubs that will as well.”

“I know that were a lot of Clubs in our League for example in for Joe… so, we are the ones with higher profile players, but if you look at teams around who have players who have played at higher levels.”

“You know that Ashford, Sevenoaks and Sittingbourne all have these types of players and will be up there as well!”

“It’s going to be a tough competitive League, isn’t it? Burgess Hill are another one I think could do well this year – there’s going to be an awful lot of competition and for us it’s important that we remain grounded and take it one game at a time.” 

“Obviously our ambition is to win the League, but if you ask other managers from the top sides, of course it’s all about promotion and winning the League – it’s got to be your aim!”

“I just come across as arrogant as I say it out loud. It’s not a big secret that we want to win the League, I’d be saying that at whatever Club I was at, as that’s what you’re in football for isn’t it?”

“There’s no point me telling you that we’re in it just to compete – of course we’re not. We want to be successful, and I really don’t think that there is any shame in saying that.”

“Too many people beat around the bush, but we’re also mindful that there are seven or eight other Clubs who can challenge us and be there or there abouts – we’ve got to make sure that we are better than them!”