Manager Ben Smith says Ramsgate have done “incredibly well” to keep new captain TJ Jadama at Southwood.

Jadama’s performances in recent seasons have led to plenty of interest - including from National League sides.

But the attacking midfielder has remained at his hometown club and was rewarded as Ramsgate lifted the Isthmian South East championship in April.

Weeks later, he was named skipper by Smith after title-winning skipper Joe Taylor announced he would be leaving Ramsgate after a record-breaking two-year spell.

“As a football club we’ve done incredibly well to keep TJ playing at Ramsgate - let’s make that clear,” said Smith.

“He’s had an awful lot of offers, an awful lot of financially more rewarding offers to play in the league we’re in, to play two leagues above the league we’re in, but Ramsgate is his football club.

“He’s a role model for the youngsters in the local community, he does his coaching work, he’s an incredible fit and not often do you get that.

“To top it off, he’s a fantastic player and he is the DNA of this Ramsgate team that we’ve put together.

“What an unbelievable coup for the club to keep him for next year because, had we not gone up, he would have to have gone.

“If we hadn’t gone up, myself and James Lawson (chairman) would have been the first people to say, ‘Do you know what, TJ, it’s time you go and challenge yourself’.

“I’m really pleased for the club and for the community that we have managed to go up and now he can have that additional challenge without having to leave.

“TJ trusts that we’ve always got his best interests at heart and that meant if we didn’t go up, I’d have been trying to sort him a move.

“Yes, I have to think about what’s best for Ramsgate but it’s also what’s best for the player and the club would never stand in his way.

“We all want our players to be successful and hopefully they can grow with us and fulfil all the challenges they need with the football club.”

Like his predecessor as captain, Jadama won’t be a ranter and raver on the pitch.

He’ll lead by example, just as Taylor did, as Ramsgate look to make an impact in the Isthmian Premier.

“I’m delighted TJ’s going to be our captain,” said Smith. “I spoke to Joe when he was leaving and it was a nice moment that he handed TJ the captain’s armband.

“I know Joe approves of it as well, he’s certainly got Joe’s blessing, and it’s important to have good people in those roles.

“Again, he’s not a natural shouter or one of those vocal captains that people would think of as a captain. But he leads by example, on and off the pitch, and he works his socks off.

“For me, it’s about setting examples and that’s the most important thing in terms of my captain, and he’s someone I trust to be open and honest when things maybe aren’t going so well.

“As a manager, sometimes you want to be challenged as well.”

Ramsgate host Rusthall in their opening pre-season friendly this Saturday (3pm), followed by the visit of Faversham Strike Force on Tuesday (7.45pm).