Ramsgate have appointed Dean Hill as their new player-manager after Justin Luchford agreed to resign at the weekend.

The defender acted as caretaker-manager at Southwood for six matches in February, following the dismissal of Tim Dixon, and apparently ran Justin Luchford “a close second” when the latter was appointed to succeed Dixon in March.

But Luchford’s brief reign came to an end at the weekend after he was asked to step down by the board, who then wasted little time in appointing Hill as his successor.

Hill said: “I’m delighted to take the full-time position as manager at Ramsgate FC. I feel passionate about the current squad of players and with a few additions, that are right for the club, we can really push on this year.

“I will be a player/manager next season, and to ensure I can focus on playing I will have two experienced coaches I have known for a long time with me. I have brought in Paul Murray (from Deal Town), who is a full-time professional coach and he is someone I trust and respect; he will motivate and coach the team to work/win together as a unit.

"Richard Langley has also agreed to remain at the club and his knowledge and professionalism will support us during the week with all decisions.”

The Ramsgate board had announced they were looking for “a younger, more local” manager in succession to Luchford, who was in charge for just eight matches and was still outlining his rebuilding plans for next season on the club website as recently as last Wednesday.

But the board asked him to step down after becoming concerned at the direction the club was taking. It said in a statement: “In the light of recent events the board has decided to ask Justin to step down, as it felt the club was moving away from the commitment to local talent that is fundamental to the structure it has put in place."