Ryan Maxwell knows exactly what he needs to do with his Sittingbourne side this season – to put them on the map! 

Talking ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup tie at Woodstock with the Jersey Bulls, looking back on the sides preparations for their return to competitive football, Maxwell admitted, “It does seem like pre-season has been a long time but I think we’ve had a  good one overall.

“Even though I’m disappointed at the amount of injuries that we’ve picked up along the way to some of our senior players but that has given opportunities that other may not have had, to step up and make their claim and impress, and overall I think that they’ve taken that, so that was a real positive and surprise too.

“When you look at the games we had, it was a tough pre-season on paper, but that’s exactly what we wanted, and we’ve come through it really well but I’m quite relieved if I’m honest to have reached the end so that we can focus now on Jersey! Really looking forward to the weekend as I’m not the biggest fan of pre-season/friendly games; I prefer the real stuff and can’t wait.

“I’m well aware of how important this game is to the Club, as I’m sure is every manager going out there in this round, but it is a game of football and we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves and put ourselves under any pressure, it’s a game that we are looking forward  and we have prepared for it.

“Jersey are a good side, we know they’ll be physical, strong and fit. I saw them play last week on video against Stenhousemuir last week. We have a very tough test but we’re at home and in the FA Cup that’s all we can ask for, no complaints that we’ve drawn Jersey and we welcome them here to Woodstock and we’re up for it and bring it on.” 

The Brickies lost one of their last thirteen games last season a run that took his side from relegation strugglers to mid table safety. “We’ve kept some players from last season,” Maxwell explained.

“We’ve been formulating the way of playing so that the players understand it and it’s been all about giving the players valuable minutes and getting fitter on top of trying to win games even as no one goes out to try and lose a game even in pre-season.

“It’s a balancing act, we want to get the maximum out of it physically, get something out it tactically and you way of playing as you try to become a team as well. So, with all of those things, I do think that we’ve done that and whilst results in pre-season mean nothing, they’re still nice to have and we’ve come through with some good results but ultimately, it’s all about getting ready for Saturday, an unbeaten pre-season means nothing if you have an unsuccessful season and vice versa.” 

“This year is all about putting Sittingbourne on the map let’s be clear, it’s about making sure that people know who we are and have respect for this Football Club, and that we’re a challenging team, that’s my goal!

“That’s why I’m here, its why my staff are here, its why the players have signed. It’s a long old campaign and there will be ups and downs, but we are looking forward to it. We’re ambitious but we’re realistic but the competitive nature that is within me, and I’m here to win, and the players are too.”