Ramsgate have named Ben Smith as their new manager.

Smith has become the club’s first-ever contracted boss after signing a two-year deal at Southwood.

He led Herne Bay to promotion via the Isthmian South East play-offs a year ago before leaving Winch’s Field in November.

Smith succeeds Jamie Coyle, who stood down at the end of April after Ramsgate lost on penalties to Hythe in the play-off semi-finals.

Ramsgate chairman James Lawson said: “Ben is a manager who recently achieved promotion from our level.

“The two-year contract will give him the time to produce a squad that reflects his own footballing identity.

“Ben knows the local area very well. He is deputy head at a Thanet secondary school and will work closely with our youth, women’s and under-23 teams.

“Ben will be a fantastic community presence which will further enhance the strong connection between the club and local families.”

New boss Smith, who has also managed Canterbury, said: “I am really excited to be offered the opportunity to manage such a fantastic community football club.

“The work that James Lawson and his team have done off the pitch has hugely increased the profile and stature of the club and after missing out narrowly for the last seasons, the next step for the club is promotion.

“I know how difficult that target is in a competitive league and we will work hard to ensure that we have a squad that is capable of producing the consistency required to achieve this for everyone at Ramsgate FC.”