Ben Smith feels like he’s never been away after settling back into life as Ramsgate manager.

Smith left Rams by mutual consent in June only to return - initially as interim boss - when successor Tony Russell quit after 25 days.

The temporary role became permanent and Rams have started the season in magnificent form.

They’ve won seven successive games in all competitions and look to continue their winning streak at home to Ashford in Isthmian South East tonight.

“It’s like I’ve never been away,” said Smith, whose side host Broadbridge Heath in the FA Cup second qualifying round this Saturday (3pm).

“With everything that’s gone on, it’s brought the people behind the scenes even closer and we are determined to have a successful season.

“Sometimes a little bit of a break, for both parties, does the world of good.

“I think you then realise how much you value each other at both ends.

“We’re a very happy club at the moment and we’ve just got to get our heads down and work hard - simple as that.

“There’s a long way to go. It’s a more competitive league this year.

“It’s going well but things can soon change.

“Did we think we’d be here five weeks ago? No, so all the points we can get at this stage of the season are a bonus.”

Ramsgate missed out on the title to Cray Valley last season despite chalking up a club-record 89 points.

The squad looks even stronger this year, boosted further by the return of Lee Martin from Ashford last week, although he isn’t playing tonight.

“It’s tough to say if it’s a better squad,” said Smith.

“You’d like to think so but we’re in the here and now, so we can say that.

“Last season’s squad doesn’t get enough credit for the amount of games it won.

“The win percentage, including all the cups, was a joke and not seen for many a year by any team in this county.

“But it is a good squad now when I look at the players we’ve got.

“Someone like Jay Leader, he’s outstanding.

“How he’s never played at top levels I don’t know.

“He’s so calm on the ball, he always has time.

“The way we play, he’s perfect because he’s like having a midfielder at the back.

“We tried to sign him last pre-season but he’d already agreed to go to Hullbridge Sports where he was friends with the manager.

“The previous manager here (Russell) had a good relationship with Jay as well, so he’d spoken to him this year, and it seemed to go dead.

“The manager went and we got back in touch - James (Lawson, chairman) had been talking to him anyway - and managed to convince him it was the right place to be.

“Lewis Gard is another one.

“He had offers to go higher than where he was (Tonbridge), he could have gone full-time, but he’s had a change in his career path off the pitch and we were able to get him.”

Smith’s interest in Ramsgate goes beyond the first team.

Their work in the community appeals to the manager, who is convinced the club will help Thanet produce another future star.

“Ramsgate is how I picture a community club to be,” said Smith.

“I’ve got my career away from football (in teaching) but I’ve got aspirations to be successful, so I want to be at a club that does things with the right purpose, and the stuff Ramsgate do off the pitch, and with the youth teams, I think it’s incredible.

“I don’t think it will be too long before we have another player come out of Thanet that will go a long way in football because there’s so much on offer at the moment.

“I know there’s been a few in the past, like Leroy Lita.”