Sittingbourne finally return to League action this weekend as Ryan Maxwell’s side plays their first game since their FA Trophy heroics against Salisbury looking to keep the pressure on Isthmian South East leaders Ramsgate.
The Brickies, after having away trips at Erith Town frozen off and their midweek trip to Margate falling foul of electrical problems, return to League action as they host Lancing at the Staxson Stadium, Woodstock Park on Saturday before welcoming East Grinstead Town on Tuesday – two games that boss Ryan Maxwell is completely focused on as he told KSN this week.
“We have a run of League games before we go to Southend in the next round of the Trophy,” he said.
“And somewhat belatedly, that starts with these two home games and they have to be the real focus for us! But it is a great distraction as it will be a tremendous game, it will be great for the fans going to Roots Hall and I am really looking forward to it… But we cannot get carried away as I have a very important job between now and then!”
“On Saturday we will face a very different Lancing side to the side we played last season, they have had a lot of changes in managers and personnel so it is a very different Lancing to the one we have faced previously.
“They have had a couple of good results of late and they will be a team who come to Woodstock with nothing to fear and nothing to lose which is dangerous in itself and we will have to make sure that we don’t let anything distract us. Our sole focus on Saturday has to be this game because we have to keep the pressure on and keep winning.”
Maxwell has now been “Head Brickie” for two years – two years that have transformed Sittingbourne. “In reflection,” he said, “it has been a tremendous two years with nothing but positives for the club, the support that we have had from the fans has been fantastic, as well as the backing from the Chairman, Vice Chairman and committee has been amazing – two years go very quickly and it’s important sometimes to take stock and see how we are progressing and what’s working.”
“When we came in it was a very different environment and circumstances, the team hadn’t won in twelve and were third bottom of the League. It was a very different Club, and then you blink and two years is a short period of time in football, now we are preparing for Round Five of the FA Trophy away to Southend being second in the League and fighting for the title.”
“Everyone has to take the credit that they deserve although I am the manager, it has most definitely been a collective effort and everybody at the club has played a part in the journey so far.”
“If you want to see what happens when positivity happens in football, let’s just put this to you. On my first day against Whitehawk, there was just over 120 in the ground; as I talk to you today, we have already sold over 500 FA Trophy tickets already – it’s important we do reach out to the fans, and we have done!”
“We’ve given you a brand of football that we hope you agree is worth watching, we are the top goal-scorers at Step Four; it was important to me that we were more attractive as long as the Woodstock pitch could stay in good condition.”
“The players we have here now can entertain and score goals and I think the end product in terms of football is worth our fan’s efforts coming to watch us.”
“That is evident in our results, but I am only too well aware that we have to do it on all fronts to be a proper football club. To sell as many tickets already for Southend with a good time still to go just shows what this club is capable and what backing is behind our club.”
“People are coming out to support us and since day one, the average has more than doubled – indeed it’s nearly tripled and that just shows that people have been waiting to come and support the club.”
“We must now keep going with the fans increasing amazing backing and we will keep giving every one of them something worthy of coming to watch!”