Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell ready to pull on the boots at 40 after naming himself on the bench to solve player shortage

Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell is ready to do a job on the pitch - aged 40.

Maxwell named himself on the bench twice in a week to solve a player shortage.

The Northern Irishman, a midfielder in his playing days, wasn’t needed on either occasion as Bourne followed a 2-0 midweek win at Chichester with a goalless draw at Lancing on Saturday.

But the former Tottenham youth-team player has kept himself in shape should he be required in future Isthmian South East matches.

He played a cameo role in the Brickies’ League Cup tie with Hythe in September but other than that hasn’t played a competitive match for at least a couple of years, and that was at Step 7.

“I’ve just done 40k on the bike to make sure I don’t embarrass myself if I’m needed,” said Maxwell, speaking on Monday morning. “That’s me being totally serious.

“If I’m called upon I have to make sure I’m capable of doing a job that I’d want a player to do.

“Luckily I haven’t been needed but I’m ready if I am.

“I last played for a Step 7 team called Dunmow Town a couple of years ago.

“That would probably be my last competitive match playing for points but I have played numerous games in between - friendlies and that.

“I train every single day - it’s a big part of my life - but training and playing are completely different.

“I join in with every session with the boys to try and stay fit and sharp.

“I brought myself on in a friendly against Holmesdale and against Hythe in the cup, so I have been around it.

“If we run, I run with them. They just better make sure I don’t beat anybody because if I do, they’ll be fined.

“I’m keeping ready, I’m not just doing it for show. I wouldn’t put myself on the bench if I didn’t need to.

“It’s certainly not through ego, that’s for sure,