Reece Prestedge takes charge of his first home game as Sittingbourne manager on Tuesday night as the Brickies welcome Lloyd Hume’s Ashford United to the Staxson Stadium, Woodstock. 

Reflecting on seven days that saw Prestedge return to Sittingbourne, the new Brickies boss told us, “What a week it has been!” 

“From getting the phone call from Marje (Vice Chairman Andrew Marjeram) – he asked me for a coffee! We had a discussion about what was required and he asked me if I would be interested in coming back and I said yes!”

“I would be silly not to if I am honest as I loved my time at Sittingbourne last season, it fits well to be honest.”

“We did well as a management team last year and as soon as it was offered, I think I took it straight away as for me personally any return had to be to a place where you really enjoy it as well and that was at Woodstock.” 

“We’ve had two away trips to start (at Crowborough Athletic last Tuesday and at VCD Athletic last weekend) which was always going to be tough especially as we have literally just walked back in the door, but I know how our supporters make the Staxson Stadium on a matchday – I know the atmosphere and it’s going to be great to have a good crowd and a solid voice behind us on Tuesday night and beyond in these important few weeks!” 

After Tuesday, the Brickies have four more home matches before Christmas with Deal Town next up at the weekend. 

“I cannot thank the supporters enough for their backing in the last week in particular and that is massive in football – if you have that much support…”

“Regardless of the scorelines, they are always behind us, always a voice, always loud, we always have conversations and chats, there are no bad vibes at all and Woodstock really is a great place to have that much support behind us!” 

“We have had a great start – can’t really ask for more! We would have liked a clean sheet at Crowborough but there you go, but two wins is the perfect start.”

“Saturday’s game has to be a huge credit to the boys – there were a few “distractions” and disruptions before the game, and we had to make a few changes.”

“If you saw the way we ended the game after losing Yannis (Ambroisine) through injury, you have to give the players credit for stepping up, taking it on board and just going out and getting the job done.” 

“We know that there will be changes. We are trying to strengthen the squad – it will happen. We have lost a few players already and have a few injuries now, so we are really pushing to get some characters through the door, but they have to be the right characters – they have to be the right fit for the bill, for our Football Club, and we have to make sure that when they come in they hit the ground running as well as we have a very important period ahead of us.”