Ramsgate boss Ben Smith has jumped to the defence of summer signings Jordan Green and Lee Martin.

Smith says the pair were made scapegoats by supporters of their previous clubs after their arrival at Southwood drew negative comments online.

Ex-Barnsley winger Green joined the Rams from Gillingham, where he was frozen out following a disagreement with manager Neil Harris, while midfielder Martin was targeted by a section of Dover fans as Whites struggled to retain their National South status.

“I know there were issues at Gillingham behind the scenes but before that Jordan was playing,” said Smith.

“We’ve taken a bit of stick and Jordan’s taken a bit of stick but people have got to realise there’s more than one side to a story.

“He got a lot of stick online, people saying he’s one of the worst they’ve seen at Gillingham, but I’d seen earlier in the year, before the fall-out with Neil Harris, that he should be playing more.

“He’s going to get stick for dropping down from League 2.

“He could have stayed full-time - he had offers - but he doesn’t want to be a full-time footballer.

“That’s the reason he dropped out of Barnsley originally.

“He wants to enjoy his football and if we help him do that, we’ve got a hell of a player on our hands.

“He was doing that at Dulwich Hamlet in National South, before he went to Gillingham, there were a lot of people saying what a player this kid is.

“I just think it’s one of those, with Jordan and Lee Martin, where we’ve signed two players who were made scapegoats at their old clubs.”

Martin, who came through the youth ranks at Manchester United, counts Ipswich, Millwall, Gillingham and Exeter among his former sides.

The 36-year-old dropped into non-league with Ebbsfleet in 2020 before spending last season at Dover.

“We know behind the scenes at Dover it’s been a tough couple of seasons,” said Smith.

“First, Andy Hessenthaler (ex-boss) was the scapegoat and then Hess goes and it’s who’s next?

“It’s the one who’s played the most Football League games, the most high-profile player they’ve got, which was Lee Martin.

“He’s not afraid to be vocal, he demands standards and he’s not going to let people abuse him as he’s walking off the pitch with his kids. It’s not going to happen.

“There was a lot of anger from the supporters towards Lee that spilt over.

“People question his integrity but I’ve seen the running stats from Dover last season and he’s in the top three, if not top two, in every single game, and he played 40-odd games.

“That’s not a player giving up, is it?

“Supporters are desperate for people to have passion and yet when people do have passion they use them as a pantomime villain.

“At the end of the day, Lee knows that can happen.

“I’ve said to him, you’ve had a great career, why don’t you come and finish it on a high, at a club on the up, and show your kids how good a player you are?

“He’s had a fantastic career and for people to say what a bad player he is, that’s outrageous.

“Coming here, he can enjoy his last couple of seasons and try and win something to end his career on.

“That’s what tipped it for him. He’s coaching at Gillingham in the youth section, and I know he’s setting up his own coaching business, which we can support him with at Ramsgate.”

Meanwhile, Ramsgate have signed former Faversham teenager Benny Bioletti following his release by League 2 Colchester.

Bioletti, 18, spent a year with the U’s, during which he went on loan to Bowers & Pitsea, who are managed by his old Lilywhites boss James Collins.

“I’m really excited to bring Benny to the club,” said Rams manager Smith. “He can play right-back, right-wing or centre-midfield.

“We’ve done really well to beat others to that signing.

“A lot of clubs were pushing hard for him.

“Speaking to James, he’s adamant he’ll be a league player. We’ll do very well to keep him.”

Rams have also signed young centre-back Louie Procopi from Thanet rivals Margate.

“He’s just turned 17,” said Smith. “Although we’re signing experienced players, we’ve also got an eye on the future, and he’s got a big future.”