Isthmian Leagues

Smith’s big show with Rams raid

Ramsgate boss Ben Smith has made a huge show of intent by completing an impressive quartet of signings.

by
The Non-League Football Paper Team
28 July 2024

ISTHMIAN SOUTH EAST

By Jon Couch

STAR TURN: Ramsgate‘s new signing Roarie Deacon, left, in action for Dundee against Celtic’s Dedryck Boyata

PICTURE: Alamy

RAMSGATE boss Ben Smith has made a huge show of intent by completing an impressive quartet of signings.

Smith bizarrely returned to the Rams hot-seat a fortnight ago, just weeks after standing down following the club’s painful play-off semi-final defeat to Chichester City, having led the Isthmian South East Division for long spells.

And he’s clearly got title aspirations after adding former National League duo Joe Ellul and Roarie Deacon to the ranks.

Experienced Ellul, 35, the former Braintree Town and Maidstone centre-back, is back for a second spell with the Rams, arriving from Welling United, after a season away at Sittingbourne, while ex-Sutton United winger Deacon, 32, joins from Havant & Waterlooville, via a loan spell at Dulwich Hamlet.

Smith has also landed former Southend midfielder Lewis Gard, from Tonbridge Angels, and ex-Maidstone and Herne Bay winger Tushaun Tyreece-Walters, who arrives from Hastings United.