Boss Ryan Maxwell signs two-year contract with Isthmian South East Sittingbourne

Sittingbourne boss Ryan Maxwell has agreed a two-year contract with the club.

Maxwell replaced Nick Davis in January as manager and director of football, taking the Brickies from third-bottom of Isthmian South East to an 11th-placed finish.

The ex-Braintree man revealed he was set for contract talks last month and now has put pen to paper to stay at Woodstock.

In a club statement released on Thursday morning, vice-chairman Andrew Marjeram said Maxwell had turned down higher-league interest to stay with Bourne.

He added: “I’m absolutely delighted to get this over the line.

“It has certainly been a tough negotiation as Ryan had numerous offers from higher clubs, but [I] am ecstatic to have Ryan and his staff with us for at least the next two years.

“Ryan embodies what Sittingbourne is all about. He wears his heart on his sleeve.

“His attention to detail is phenomenal and he is extremely passionate.

“Taking over when we were in a precarious position, what Ryan achieved in a short space of time was quite remarkable and I can’t wait to see what the next two years bring.”

On Twitter, Northern Irishman Maxwell wrote: “Really pleased to have committed ourselves to the club.

“[I] turned down a couple of offers respectfully, but we feel that we can make this club special!

“In our short time, we’ve made a connection with the fans, too.

“Now, let’s drive the club forward. We are certainly up for it.”

Sittingbourne had been on a 12-match unbeaten streak before they finished their 2022/23 campaign with a 3-1 loss at Lancing.