Sittingbourne boss Nick Davis: Hicham Akhazzan is a manager's dream - a Sittingbourne legend

Friday 05th February 2016

SITTINGBOURNE manager Nick Davis has paid a glowing tribute to Hicham Akhazzan after making his 400^th appearance for the club in midweek.

The 27-year-old midfielder was made captain and scored during Sittingbourne’s 3-2 home win over Whyteleafe on Tuesday night.

The Brickies are nineteenth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table on 32 points from 31 games and are nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Sittingbourne host fourth-from-bottom side Walton & Hersham tomorrow, before travelling to the Surrey club next Tuesday night.

“We’ve got a double header against Walton & Hersham, a little unusual that we have played some teams twice already but yet to have played them”, said Davis.

“It’s been a little like that this year fixture wise, it’s how the league have done it.

“It will be a great opportunity to really distance ourselves from the bottom three.

“On the flip side two negative results we can find ourselves sucked back into it.

“It seems a few of the bottom clubs are throwing money at it and have brought in proven attacking players at our level or above.”

Davis was full of praise for Akhazzan on his special night.

“I thought we were excellent against Whytelefe on Tuesday, a real threat going forward and a real nice balance to our shape both in defence and attack,” said Davis.

“Hicham was made captain for his 400^th appearance and celebrated by scoring our first goal and his 93^rd for the club in total.

“I have to say he is a manager’s dream, a true Sittingbourne legend. A fantastic player who had adapted his style through the years to an off the shoulder lightening centre forward to a very intelligent midfielder link up man. You can play him anywhere on that pitch. He never complains and just gets on with it.

"A true gentleman, real team player, fantastic teacher and role model for our younger lads, who will go on to be the all-time appearance holder in my opinion, which is around 600 and he is only still 27.

“I have been at the club give or take four years now as a player and manager and the chat with Hich pre-season about staying on for the next is always the same – ‘I’m here for life, Sittingbourne through and through’.

“That type of loyalty is rare these days and someone of his ability could have gone on for money and played higher without a doubt.”

Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk

Sittingbourne v Walton & Hersham
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 6^th February 2016
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Woodstock Park, Broadoak Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8AG

Article published: 20:00 – Friday 5^th February 2016