RAMSGATE boss Jim Ward says securing the services of Steve Butler as first team coach is a major coup and his best signing of the summer.

Butler, 45, one of Kent football's favourite sons, will start work at Southwood in early July when the squad return for pre-season training.

Ward said: "Steve and I are good friends and he rang me wanting to arrange a game of golf, and I just happened to ask him what he was doing.

"He said he was available, and has agreed to come, but of course if a full-time job came up, he would leave with our blessing."

Butler was first team coach with Peter Taylor at Leicester City and Hull City, and reunites with Ward who worked together at Maistone United before quitting as director of football, to move to Humberside.

Meanwhile, Ramsgate have had no inquiries for 22-year-old central defender Ollie Schulz, who has been transfer-listed at his own request, wanting to play at a higher level.

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