Ramsgate goalkeeper Tom Hadler backs ex-boss Ben Smith to stay in charge after returning to Southwood as interim manager

Tom Hadler would like to see Ben Smith stay on at Ramsgate following his return as interim manager.

Smith, who left by mutual consent in June, was back in the dugout last week after successor Tony Russell’s shock departure.

Russell resigned after 25 days in charge with Smith taking the reins for the Rams’ 3-2 friendly victory over Bearsted.

The former Herne Bay boss led Ramsgate to a runners-up finish in Isthmian South East and the FA Cup second round last season.

“I’ve got a really good personal relationship with Ben, so I was very disappointed to see him go,” said Hadler.

“But it’s football, you move on to the next chapter and everyone was gearing up for that with Tony.

“There was no beef between the club and Tony, they just didn’t quite agree on certain things and as a result we’re back to square one and you’ve kind of lost a period of time that’s quite crucial in terms of recruitment and preparation.

“But, having said all that, we still have the nucleus of the team that had a lot of success in the FA Cup and league as well.

“It’s easy to forget how close we were in the league. Eighty-nine points in any normal league season would win it.

“We are a bit behind in terms of recruitment but we’ve added a few good faces and now Ben’s come back in on an interim basis.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say it would be nice if he got the job and chose to take it on longer term.

“I’d certainly be happy with that but obviously it’s got to be right for all parties.”

Hadler was made aware of Smith’s impending return as interim manager before the Bearsted game.

He’s since been pictured welcoming new signing Jay Leader to Southwood and Hadler takes that as a good sign, with Tom Carlse also returning.

“It all happened so fast with Ben coming back in and it felt like he’d never been away,” said Hadler.

“We hadn’t actually had a game with Tony so none of us had seen that side of him and how he’d run things.

“It was Ben doing the first team-talk again.

“I think the club were quite quick to have a chat with him to see how he felt about the whole thing and coming back on an interim basis.

“What that looks like long-term I don’t think anyone knows, to be honest, but it’s certainly a positive from our perspective just to steady the ship.

“I’m looking at the signings and I hope that’s a statement of intent and he’s the person who wants to take us forward and the club have got faith in him to take us forward.

“It’s just about everyone being able to agree that and moving on.

“He’s very pro-active on signings and we need him to do that because we are still looking for a few bodies.”

It’s been far from your average summer for Ramsgate in light of the managerial upheaval.

Hadler knows it was always going to get people talking but the players have taken events in their stride.

He said: “You want everything to go smoothly but I said to the boys the other day, probably one of the most wobbly pre-seasons I’ve been part of as a team was at Maidstone in my first season and we ended up winning the league.

“Pre-season in terms of results doesn’t mean anything, it’s just a question of prep for the season, so providing in three or four weeks’ time we’re all right, we’ll be fine.

“The nice thing is there’s not been any bad blood between players and management.

“People are very quick on the outside - and football is so sensationalist - to say Ramsgate are falling apart, they’re this, they’re that.

“I just laugh because on the inside it’s all very calm.

“People love to run with the drama but it’s actually a lot less exciting than they think.

“From our perspective, it’s fine, we’ll get there, but from the outside I accept it probably looks a bit bizarre.

“The whole buzz around the club is still there and the people who want to make it a good place are still there.

“It’s just a question of being patient and, certainly from my side, I’m not going to get too uppity about anything.

“It’s a case of stay calm and come August 10 we’ll be ready.”

A young Rams side, with director of football Seb Tidey taking the team, lost 5-1 in a friendly at Dover on Saturday, Alfie Paxman with the goal.

Ramsgate, who pulled out of tonight’s game at Maidstone due to injuries, are next in action at home to FC Elmstead on Friday (7.30pm).