Ramsgate sign goalkeeper Tom Hadler from Maidstone United on two-year deal

Ramsgate have signed goalkeeper Tom Hadler from Maidstone on a two-year contract as new boss Ben Smith gets to work.

Smith, who’s succeeded Jamie Coyle at Southwood, believes Rams need more experience after missing out in the Isthmian South East play-offs.

His signings are set to reflect that and Hadler, a National League South title winner with Maidstone a year ago, fits the bill.

The 26-year-old, released after two seasons at the Gallagher, started his career at Gillingham and has also played for Ebbsfleet and Eastbourne.

“I’d be surprised if there’s going to be a better goalkeeper in our league than him,” said Smith, who led former club Herne Bay to promotion via the play-offs.

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“He’s a great person as well. With the way the club is on the community aspect, with the youth, Tom’s fantastic on that side as well.

“He ticks a lot of boxes and we’ve got him on a two-year contract.

“The majority of players we’re signing are on contract. They’re showing their commitment to us and we’re showing our commitment to them.

“We want to build a side to hopefully get promoted straight away and stay with us and take us up league by league.

“That’s the plan. It’s harder to execute it because other clubs will be looking to do the same but we can only work on what we want to do.

“We’ve got an eye on youth as well but the most important thing is to add experience. That’s probably what cost them last season.

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“I think when Jamie Coyle was out of the side, there was only one other player who’d won promotion.

“My predecessors have done a good job in terms of moving the club forward but through bad luck, or whatever, they’ve not managed to get over the line.

“I’ve been fortunate to do that and that gives me confidence I can do it again and build the side they need.

“The players we’re going after have won promotions. We’re very close on getting others across the line.”

In a busy first week in charge, Smith has signed centre-back Dan Johnson and full-back Jack Parter from Herne Bay.

They’re two players he knows well, while Alfie Paxman has returned after spells with Folkestone and Dover.

Paxman links up with brother Jack, who’s signed a new deal, and there’s also a contract extension for highly-rated midfielder TJ Jadama, who’s turned down National League and National South interest to stay at Southwood.

“TJ’s going through the gears at the minute in terms of where his ceiling is,” said Smith. “He’s getting better and better.

“I think people perhaps overlook him a little bit because of his size but he’ll definitely do for me.

“It’s fantastic that we’ve retained him. He had interest but he wants to win something with Ramsgate. He has a burning desire to do that.”

Leaving the club are Jake McIntyre, Callum Emptage and Ben Fitchett, while Smith continues to assess the rest of the squad.

Coyle, meanwhile, who stood down as manager after Ramsgate were beaten by Hythe in the play-off semi-finals, has joined Isthmian South East new boys Erith & Belvedere as player/assistant manager. The move sees him reunited with another ex-Rams boss, Matt Longhurst.

Smith revealed there were no talks with Coyle over a playing role at Southwood.

“It’s an awkward one,” said Smith. “If he’d been interim manager there’d have been a conversation to be had but it would probably be rude for me to phone him up and say do you want to come and play now you’re not the manager.

“It’s one of those unwritten rules rules that you don’t do that.

“I’d like to put on record what a fantastic player Jamie Coyle was for Ramsgate. He was a massive part of the reason why they went from a club floundering in mid-table to challenging for promotion.

“It’s sad the way things ended but that’s football, isn’t it? I’m sure he’ll be a great asset at his next club.”

Smith is enjoying the buzz of being back in management, six months on from his departure at Herne Bay.

He hadn’t applied for the job, instead being approached by chairman James Lawson, who offered him a two-year deal

In a show of faith, he’s the club’s first-ever contracted manager.

“It’s nice to be wanted,” said Smith. “I know there were other managers in the frame for it and a lot would have wanted it.

“Me and James seem to have a similar viewpoint of how the club is going and how it’s going to have to go moving forward. It’s nice to be on the same page.

“In the past, you think you’re on the same page and then someone changes the book but our viewpoints are very much aligned, which made it a good fit.

“I’ve got to make sure the players we bring in uphold those values at the club and are also good enough to challenge for promotion.”