Ex-Gillingham striker Roman Campbell begins fourth spell at Sittingbourne after signing on dual-registration

Former Gillingham youngster Roman Campbell has started a fourth spell at Sittingbourne.

Campbell had two loans with the Brickies in 2019, including a seven-goal return in his first stint, before signing a permanent deal after his release by the Gills at the end of January 2020.

He went on to join Folkestone and has also played for the likes of Margate, Ramsgate and Faversham.

The 24-year-old was named among the substitutes for Sittingbourne’s 4-2 FA Trophy third-round win over Enfield Town on Saturday.

He’s back at the club on dual-registration from Essex outfit Saffron Walden, with manager Ryan Maxwell hoping to get the best out of a player who was tipped for a big future in his Gillingham days.

“He can play centre-half or centre-forward, and he’s still a young man,” said Maxwell, whose side are only two points behind Isthmian South East leaders Ramsgate after winning 4-0 at Herne Bay last night.

“He needs to get up to speed but he’s someone who can score a goal and defend.

“I heard he did well when he was here before.

“I’m trying to get him back to that vein of form.

“There’s a little bit of a journey to be had with Roman.

“He needs to catch up on the fitness levels but there’s a talented player there.”

Maxwell, meanwhile, has spoken about the pace in his side which caused National League South Enfield so many problems at the weekend.

The Brickies’ Step 2 opponents couldn’t live with the speed out wide of Troy Howard and Henry Sinai, or two-goal Joe Boachie breaking from central areas.

“We made a recruitment requirement in the summer, that was let’s go and get some pace, so that’s what we did,” said Maxwell.

“It’s OK being quick, anyone can be quick.

“You can sign loads of quick players but do they have an end product