Sittingbourne show they mean business as skipper Joe Ellul signs two-year deal

Captain Joe Ellul has signed a new two-year deal in a major statement of intent by Sittingbourne.

Ellul, 35, has been a revelation since joining the Brickies from National League Maidstone in January.

The centre-half half was quickly handed the armband by boss Ryan Maxwell and played a major role in helping the team out of relegation trouble in Isthmian South East.

They went on to finish 11th, helped by a 12-match unbeaten run, and next season Maxwell intends to challenge for the title.

Holding on to Ellul shows they are serious.

“We wanted to get Joe tied down as he’s such an influential player,” said Maxwell, whose own contracts talks are progressing well.

“Joe was keen despite numerous - and I mean numerous - other offers.

“He was inundated but he wanted to stay here and to get him to sign a two-year contract is fantastic news for the club.

“It’s a sign of the club’s ambition and a statement of intent.

“He’d be a fantastic addition to any team in the National South or Isthmian Premier so I’m delighted to retain a player of his calibre.

“He’s been everything I thought he would be and more. He’s our captain, our leader and he’s grown into that environment.

“He’s proven over the last few years how good he is.

“He was the supporters’ player-of-the-year at Maidstone a year ago, when they won National South, so of course he was he was going to be good for us.

“Joe’s been a massive part of what we’ve done here, and any club would want to tie him down.

“It shows our ambition, it warns off other clubs and in terms of recruitment it helps because other players in non-league see he’s signed a two-year contract and they can see we’re going to be a real team next season.

“Fair play to the club and in particular Andrew Marjeram