Ben Smith claims that Ramsgate is preparing for Isthmian Premier football in a stealthy manner.
Goalie Aiden Prall from Sheppey, Maidstone defender Raphe Brown, and Sittingbourne teammates Donvieve Jones and Mitch May are among the Rams’ excellent new additions.
They’ve also retained the likes of TJ Jadama, making him captain, Alfie Paxman, Tom Clifford and Lewis Gard.
Other deals are being worked on, while the Isthmian South East champions also intend to hold back some news until the squad report for training on June 26.
“We’re keeping a few under our hat for when pre-season starts,” said manager Smith.
We’re ahead of where we were this time last year and the year before in terms of we are quite settled.
“In terms of are we done yet? No, we’re not.
“We’ve got a very good XI, it’s just making sure we’ve got the right squad depth now.
“What we don’t want to do is overload the squad because we do have some young lads that we want to try and give an opportunity to as well.
“We don’t want to completely block their pathways.
“Pre-season is going to be really interesting to see how the young lads do.
“Last year the pressure of every point and all that sort of stuff, it was difficult to blood them.
“We did give debuts to a few of the players but this pre-season they will get a proper opportunity.
“It’s win-win for us.
If they take that opportunity, there’s nothing better than having homegrown players representing your club, is there?”
Ramsgate are looking forward to a first season of Isthmian Premier football since relegation in 2009.
Smith is anticipating a strong division with a host of ambitious clubs making their presence felt in the transfer market.
Rams won’t have the same pressure on them that came with being the team to beat in Isthmian South East last season.
But they still want to give big clubs like Folkestone, Dartford, Billericay and Dulwich Hamlet a run for their money.
“I think the league will be better than it was last year and when you’re looking and seeing the transfers that clubs are doing, we’re right in thinking that,” said Smith.
“We’re just quietly going about our business.
“We’re not normally known for being quiet but that doesn’t mean we aren’t doing anything.
“Suddenly we’re not the biggest club in the league.
“We will still be one of the bigger clubs in the league.
“Previously we could say we’re the biggest club in the league but we can’t say that now.
“We want to be the biggest club eventually and time will tell how big we can be.
“The knock-on effect of being in this league is the attendances are going to be massive because we’re going to get away support from clubs, which we didn’t get in Isthmian South East.
“That’s all really exciting and the club is very much prepared and fully equipped to deal with more on a match day.
“We’ve shown we can deal with 3,000, 3,500.”
Smith was named Isthmian South East manager-of-the-season at the league dinner on Saturday night.
He was recognised after leading Ramsgate to the title with a record tally of 109 points.
Rams also had five players in the team-of-the-season, which is voted for by all the managers.
They were defenders Jay Leader and Aaron Barnes, midfielders Jadama and Benny Bioletti, and striker Joe Taylor.
New signing Prall also made the team after a brilliant season in goal for Sheppey.
“It was an enjoyable evening and nice to see some of our players, and myself, get recognition for last year,” said Smith.
“It puts a marker under that season and it’s very much a case of moving on now
The major sponsors, WW Martin, sponsored a dinner at the Tartar Frigate in Broadstairs yesterday night, marking the beginning of another celebration.
Smith remarked, “They’re fantastic sponsors.”
They attend the games and show interest in the club’s members.
“They actually care about our success.
