Sittingbourne manager Reece Prestedge on defender Ben Swift’s move to Isthmian Premier Dartford

Sittingbourne manager Reece Prestedge always expected defender Ben Swift to move on this summer.

Swift, 29, has joined Isthmian Premier Dartford after an impressive comeback campaign with the Brickies.

The centre-half spent the second half of the season at Sittingbourne as he returned to action after two years out with a knee injury.

Swift, who joined Aston Villa’s academy from Maidstone as a 17-year-old, proved his form and fitness under Prestedge as the Brickies reached the Isthmian South East play-off semi-finals.

And the former Margate and Tonbridge man deserves the chance to move back up a level, becoming new boss Ben Greenhalgh’s first signing at Dartford.

“That was always the plan with Swifty,” said Prestedge.

“He wanted to get back into football and the only reason we got him was because I know him really well.

“He loved his time here but the plan was always to get him fit and get him going to get him back to the levels he wants to play.

“If we’d got promoted, I think he probably stays but Dartford’s a massive club, one of the best around in that league.

“I wish him all the best and I wish Ben (Greenhalgh) all the best as well.

“There were a lot of games last season that you’d look at and you could just tell the quality Swifty had.

“He was building up his fitness and getting himself right to push on again and he did that in abundance.

“He loved putting his body on the line, he loved a tussle.

“It was nice to see him enjoying his football again.”

Prestedge is going about his work quietly as he puts plans in place for another shot at promotion next season.

He’s held talks with the squad but there’s no rush to make any announcements, although the Brickies confirmed yesterday that Joe Boachie had been retained.

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