Matt Longhurst says Ramsgate stole new signing Ryan Huckle from under the noses of Thanet rivals Margate.

Rams clinched a deal for the former Gillingham defender on Sunday, with Longhurst a long-time admirer of the youngster.

He’s tried to sign him several times in the past and finally has his man, with the centre-back joining from Guildford.

Huckle had a number of options, including Margate, but plumped for a Ramsgate side chasing promotion to the Isthmian Premier.

“He’s only 22 but he’s played a lot of senior football,” said Ramsgate manager Longhurst.

“I watched him play for Gillingham a few years ago, and I’ve always liked him.

“He’s an old-school centre-half, a big strong 6ft 5in mountain, who’s still capable with the ball at his feet.

“He’s one for the future. We’re looking at him and Ben Fitchett as heirs to the throne of Jamie Coyle, whenever he decides to pack his boots away.

“Those two are going to spend the next 18 months learning from Coyley, which is brilliant.

“He had two or three other offers, including Margate, we’ve stolen him from under their noses, and there were two other clubs in the play-offs with us.

“I think the fact I’ve showed interest so many times in the past helped. That showed I really wanted to get him, regardless of anything else."

Ramsgate’s play-off charge has faltered with back-to-back defeats.

They remain third in Isthmian South East but the cushion over sixth-placed Herne Bay is down to two points.

Rams, beaten 3-1 at home by Corinthian on Tuesday last week, lost 2-1 at Whitehawk on Saturday, despite taking the lead through TJ Jadama.

Coyle was caught out by a bobble as the Hawks levelled through Javaun Splatt, and Ashley Wadhams grabbed their winner.

“We were poor against Corinthian, and they were good, but we played quite well on Saturday,” said Longhurst.

“We were 1-0 up, and in control, and then Coyley has gone to clear the ball, it’s bobbled on a horrendous pitch and hit his shin and rolled to their centre-forward. You can’t even really call it a mistake.

“You can analyse it till the cows come home but there’s nothing more to say other than when does Coyley ever miskick a ball? I haven’t see it before.

“If there’s anyone you want the ball to go to in that situation, it’s Coyley.

“He’ll play that pass 150 times in the next two games and that won’t happen to him again.

“It’s unfortunate but these things happen at our level, and I’m not blaming the pitch because you’ve got to go to places like Whitehawk.

“If you want to be playing on bowling greens every week, you’ve got to get to a level where the pitches are like that, and we’re a good few levels away.”

There will be no such problems with the pitch when Ramsgate host Sittingbourne on 3G at Southwood this Saturday.

The offer of free entry is expected to entice a bumper crowd as the club get Mother’s Day celebrations going early on Non-League Day.

There will be live music from 1pm, a free glass of Prosecco for mums and the chance to win a food hamper.

“I’m hoping we get a thousand,” said Longhurst, who is aiming to add a centre-forward.

“We know about Sittingbourne, they’ve got Kane Rowland, who was my first captain here, and I’m sure he’ll get a good reception.

“They’re a young team who work very hard, but it will be good to be back at home on the 3G.

“There’s some big fixtures around us, including Herne Bay v Cray Valley, but we can only take care of our own results. It’s starting to get exciting.”