For the first time since his side’s agonising Play Off Final defeat to Burgess Hill, Sittingbourne boss Ryan Maxwell has been talking to KSN about what might have been as he begins his search to go one further next season in the Isthmian Southeast and finally win a place in the Isthmian Premier Division. 

“We had an unbelievable season, didn’t we?” Maxwell said as we looked back on the old season.

“I am big on progression, and we certainly did that – and then some for the Club since I have been here, and everyone who has been part of the journey and has played their part in that.”

“We had a goal this year of getting promoted and another goal was to be the last team left in the FA Trophy. And that was an incredible effort from my lads who were two kicks of a ball away from achieving both!”

“I cannot thank the lads enough for an incredible effort – it will go down as quite a historical season I’m sure and in years to come, we will look back and realise WOW, what an incredible journey that was!” 

“The end is still a little bit raw not to have gone up as I think that this team certainly deserved it, but you don’t always get what you deserve, and that’s sport in general and not just Football.”

“We had an incredible season for the collective and for the Club; I do think that the Club is incredibly connected at the minute between the owners, fans, management and players – it’s a real connected Football Club that has really flourished over my time here and I think that that is the best thing that I can highlight of all so far.” 

“An incredible season and certainly one that I will never forget!” 

“It’s been a really connecting season too with some special moments shared by all and there have been and will be some players who will move on to pastures new due to the success of the team which is normal, and I, we, really do wish every one of them well and hope that it does work out for everybody.”

“And off the back of that there will be new faces again at Woodstock – that’s very natural – and I can tell you that recruitment is going well and we are certainly a Club that people want to come and play for! Thats very much a positive from a manager’s point of view…” 

Three of the men who have committed to the Brickies for next season – Danny Parish, Jean-Baptiste Fischer and Luke Woodward – will effectively be new signings as the three of them missed most of last season for Sittingbourne with various injuries although Parish did find action at Hythe and Faversham, and Maxwell admitted, “It will be great to see them all in the team again!”

“We have three old but new faces back in the squad and they know the structure of this football club and know the identity and the DNA here which is great – all excellent players – Luke and JB now both are fit and a fit Danny Parish is a goal machine and has been everywhere he has been.”

“He’s played National League, has experience and has had a tremendous run in this League previously and had a good run with us before he got injured.”

“The class is there with Danny, and we hope he gets a good pre-season under his belt and is sharp come the start of the season.” 

Maxwell has been busy with incoming players too signing Darren Foxley and keeper Mitch Beeney. “Darren is a player we approached last year after his season at Bishop’s Stortford. We nearly got him, but he decided to sign for Hashtag at the time.”

“I watched him many times and every time I saw him, he was man of the match in the past – real energetic, tenacious player with ability that has quality in possession, makes the right decisions and can play in a few positions as well.”

“He’s only 27 and the best of Darren is yet to come, and I am hoping that it will be with us – if we can get him to his best then we will have one heck of a player here!” 

“Mitch is the big goalie so to speak – standing six foot six – and does what it says on the tin. He’s played at a good level and knows this League well and was the only keeper that kept a clean sheet against us at Woodstock last year in the League as well.”

“More of that next season please – he’s delighted to follow in his dad Mark’s footsteps and be a Brickie and is in his prime for a goalkeeper in his late twenties and I am looking forward to working with him.” 

“I am in constant discussions with players who must fit the bill here – I recruit very carefully and always have. This Club has to have a certain type of player playing for it and I have to have a certain type of player playing for me regardless.”

“The demands here are high and that’s not for everybody and ultimately with the season that we had, it’s made my recruitment easier than this time last year.”

“I am speaking to some excellent players who are interested and keen to come here which reflects the job that we have done and long may it continue!” 

“Certainly, new faces will be coming through the door and they we be good players, I can promise you that!” 

Picture supplied by Ian Scammell.