Non league club Ramsgate receives huge backlash on social media for ‘one the most bizarre sacking statements ever’.
Lee Martin guided them to 10th in the Isthmian League Premier Division side, but his time has come to an end despite achieved his remit of avoiding relegation and also cited his underspending of their budget.
Ramsgate say they have begun the process of looking for a new manager after announcing that Lee Martin is leaving with immediate effect.
He also took them to a Isthmian League cup final which they lost 1-0 in extra-time to Wingate & Finchley.
Manager sacked for UNDERSPENDING their budget. Never seen that before! 😂
— Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) April 16, 2026
CLUB STATEMENT:
Club Statement – Thank you Lee Martin
Ramsgate FC will begin the process of appointing a new first team manager following the departure of Lee Martin.
As we reflect on the season, it feels the right time to provide an update on the managerial position.
When Lee Martin came into the club, we were in a difficult position and facing the real possibility of relegation. His remit was simple – to keep us in the league.
Lee achieved that.
Results improved quickly and, at one stage, we even found ourselves looking towards the play-off places, which is a credit to the work done during that period.
However, a challenging recruitment period leading into March meant that, over the final six weeks of the season, the playing budget was significantly underspent. That period has been reflected in our recent run of results, with six defeats from our last seven games, including this week’s cup final. This decision reflects the direction we want to take as a club, not any one result.
As a club, our culture has always been about looking forwards. It’s a mindset that has taken us from the brink of Step 5 to competing at Step 3, and now to a position where we are able to look towards Step 2.
As planned, Seb Tidey will step down from his role on the committee at the end of the season. A significant part of Seb’s work with the club has been contributing to the development of a new strategic document, which sets out a very specific plan for the footballing side of the club.
To give ourselves the best possible chance of success on the pitch, we believe it is important to explore the market and identify the right manager to deliver that plan.
One thing that remains incredible is our supporters. Their backing is the reason we now find ourselves knocking on the door of promotion to Step 2, and we are unwavering in our determination to match their ambition and push this club forward.
We would like to place on record our thanks to Lee for the job he has done. He came in at a difficult time, helped realign our objectives, and ensured the club moves forward from a stable position.
Seb Tidey, Tom Hadler and Mark Buckingham will take charge of the remaining two games of the season.
The club will now invite applications for the role of first team manager from candidates with experience of building teams capable of challenging for promotion to Step 2.
Applications should be submitted to chairman@ramsgate-fc.co.uk
Here’s the fan reaction after the non league club receives huge backlash for ‘one the most bizarre sacking statements ever’…
@alan_evans1: Sacked for underspending the budget. Got to be a first in Non League football !!
@FredTHarrington: I’m confused. Have you sacked Lee for achieving the remit you set him?
@JamesBr60061148: You ungrateful cunts 😂 You were staring down the barrel of relegation. He comes in and then stabilises your club in to an unlikely position of near the playoff positions, whilst all done on a budget. Your owners are smoking fireworks if they think they’re attracting anyone 😂😂
@StewartLig97376: I mean, I don’t like the guy, but this is nuts. Kept you in the league, liked and respected by the fans, got you to the cup final. But, what, because he didn’t get players through the door to get you into the playoffs, you bin him? Strange club.
@BarnardM1978: What a very strange decision. Significantly underspent on the budget but achieved the remit given to him and he gets sacked??? That’s a new one on me
@theWishyman80: This is insane. A manager underspending the budget is sacked for … checks notes…achieving his remit of survival. Got it.
@SFCMart: Your target for him was to stay up, he did that AND got you to a cup final! He also spent less than you asked therefore saving you money? Seems a mad choice to get him gone!!
@smithy2786: Manager gets sacked for achieving the remit given to him by the club, all while underspending on the playing budget. Games gone!!
@DdraigTatws: Sacked for more than achieving the SEASON target you set him while coming in UNDER budget, with an added bonus of a cup final. Absolutely pathetic. Hope you get relegated next season.
@glenn_coin: Would you rather spunked all your money on players who wouldn’t improve the team?
@nvr2hinvr2lo: I’m no fan but this smacks of “don’t blame the board, blame the manager”, but not sure there should be any blame to start with! Were you expecting promotion?!
@callen_jos57486: Feels like a knee jerk reaction to losing a final. Understand the clubs ambition which I celebrate and will continue to support but Lee deserved next season. He got us out of a deep hole.
@JoeSully1982: Sacked for achieving the remit, underspending the budget but reaching a cup final. If managers get sacked for all this I give up. All of this in his first season. Yes his behaviour during matches is ultra aggressive & full of entitlement but the guy was building something. Stenge
@FBLowdown:
Unless I’m reading this wrong, Ramsgate have sacked their manager for:
1) Achieving the remit he was set.
2) Underspending the budget.
3) Reaching a cup final.
This is one of the most bizarre sacking statements I’ve ever read.
@23Wrighty:
Achieved his target ✅
Surpassed it ✅
Saved money ✅
Not sure I’ve seen a gaffa sacked for this before and criticised for not spending money.
Chin up Lee, next club will value this.
@olander_92: Fingers crossed you go down next season and get nowhere near promotion again. What a shambles. Was the remit to spend every penny? Or was it to stay up? Or perhaps, he was loyal to the players that had delivered the target for the season.
@martinlong87: Daft decision to be honest with you. Met the expectation you set him whilst managing the playing budget. Would understand if the team had slipped right back towards relegation, but you’re clearly safe and have a platform to build on. Things could be a lot worse.