Lee Martin’s affiliation with Ramsgate was a key factor behind his swift return to football after being sacked as Welling manager.

Martin was dismissed at the start of the month after only 13 games in charge of the Wings, having been given little time in his first managerial role.

There was plenty of interest in his services after Welling pulled the plug but that affection for Ramsgate, where he won the Isthmian South East title as a player last season, helped secure a return to Southwood.

The 38-year-old, now in his third spell with the club, has taken on a player-coach role under manager Ben Smith.

“As soon as I got let go, I had four or five calls to see if I’d be interested in coming back playing and it just wasn’t on the cards, but that was just my mindset,” said midfielder Martin.

“But the more it went on - believe it or not, I had more calls about playing than I did in the last two years - my affiliation with Ramsgate, and my family, made it that bit easier.

“And the opportunity to go and coach and lend some ideas around the place and work closely with Ben, who’s my mate, always helps.

“Off the back of a tough spell with football and being scrutinised quite a bit down at Dover, to find a home was so important, and Ramsgate gave me that (when he first joined the club in 2023).

“So they’re always in my heart in a footballing sense, so it was nice to come home.”

Martin has an important dual-role as Ramsgate look to find their way in the Isthmian Premier.

They’re mid-table in their first season up after mixed results, losing 2-1 at leaders Brentwood on Saturday, a match Martin watched alongside Smith.

He’s kept himself in decent shape - it’s just a case of building match fitness - and will use his experience on the pitch while providing coaching input.

“The conversation with the chairman (James Lawson) and Ben was 70 per cent playing and 30 per cent around the coaching side,” said Martin.

“That gives me the opportunity to do the thing I enjoy the most, which is the coaching side, but also while I can still run around and affect games, maybe that in-field coaching might be valuable.

“I’ll be as fit as need be.

“Whether I can get through 90 minutes, I doubt it, I need probably a three-week build-up, but it’s great to be back at a place where good things have happened in terms of success.

“We’re not a million miles away at the moment, either, it’s just going against us a little bit.

“I’m looking forward to sitting down with Ben and the coaching staff and seeing what works.

“You do work on the touchline but also if you’ve got an in-field coach, it’s quite good to get their perspective.”

Ramsgate trailed to an early Alejandro Machado strike at Brentwood.

Alfie Paxman levelled from the spot but hit the post with a second penalty before Louis Johnson scored Brentwood’s winner.

Ramsgate, who host Carshalton this Saturday (3pm), won Isthmian South East with experienced heads such as Martin, Jay Leader, Joe Ellul and Roarie Deacon.

They went in a different direction this season but at times there’s no substitute for experience.

“They wanted to go a little bit younger, a bit more athletic,” said Martin.

“We had a lot of senior boys last year, who managed the changing room and in-field moments.

“If I’m being honest, that’s probably what’s missing, that little bit of savvy, understanding when to do things, what to do, and who’s organising around it.

“That’s kind of what we’re speaking about now and with myself coming back into it, I think that’s going to be important in terms of what we’re trying to create.

“At the moment we’re great going forward, it’s just that defensive duty and who’s organising it.

“Last season we had Jay Leader and Joe Ellul behind myself at times, who were men and they could organise and structurally get us right, while letting the other boys go and do what they do best and score loads of goals.

“I think we’re missing that bit of understanding.

“I know he (Smith) wants some more experience because it’s invaluable at this level.

“That’s the difference between losing a game or getting those points, and they all add up at the end of the season.”

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