Dean Hill will be a great mentor to our younger players, says Ramsgate boss Tim Dixon

RAMSGATE boss Tim Dixon unveiled his first signing since taking over the helm from Jim Ward – by bringing defender Dean Hill back to the club.


The versatile 28-year-old was introduced to supporters at the supporters’ club annual general meeting last night.

Hill, who is equally comfortable at left-back or in the centre of defence, began his career with home-town club Dover Athletic, where he progressed through the club’s youth ranks up to the reserves before moving on to Ashford Town for the start of the 2002-03 season.

He joined Sittingbourne in February 2004 and then linked up with Ramsgate in the summer of 2005.

Hill went on to make around 100 appearances for the Rams and helped them to win the Ryman League Division One South title in his first season at Southwood Stadium.

However, in June 2008 he rejoined Dover Athletic and gained a Ryman Premier League winners medal before featuring regularly in Conference South the following season, when former boss Andy Hessenthaler led the Crabble outfit to runners-up, before losing to Woking in the semi-final of the play-offs.

Dean had a loan spell with Maidstone United towards the end of 2001 and he made a total of 89 appearances for Dover before being released in February 2011 to join Margate.

He made 48 appearances for Margate in total and Dixon is delighted to bring the Dover based defender back to the club.

“Personally, I’m really pleased to have signed Dean as he was a target for a number of clubs,” Dixon told www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk.  

“He brings a wealth of experience, discipline and desire to win to the club and will be a great mentor to the younger players in the squad.

“Darren Beale (my coach) and I are looking forward to working with Dean again.”

Visit Ramsgate’s website: www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk