Coaches Steve Whitton and Clint Gooding depart Sittingbourne after Ryan Maxwell's appointment

SITTINGBOURNE have lost the services of their first-team coaches following the appointment of Ryan Maxwell as the club’s new manager and director of football last night.

Steve Whitton and Clint Gooding both took temporary charge for yesterday’s 2-0 home defeat to Whitehawk, which extended the Brickies’ winless run to 13 games.

Sittingbourne remain in the bottom three in the Isthmian League South East Division table, having collected 17 points (four wins, five draws) from their 19 league games.

Sittingbourne are only four points clear of the relegation zone, which contains Corinthian and Faversham Town.

The club parted company with Nick Davis by mutual consent last week, thus ending his third spell in charge of the club  -and his assistant manager Damien Hopkins has also departed.

Maxwell told the club website yesterday that he would invite Whitton and Gooding to join his management team but the pair have decided to leave the club today.

“Many thanks to Sittingbourne for the opportunity to coach the great club,” said Whitton.

“It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to meet everyone at the club. I’m ever grateful for the last three years.”

Gooding, meanwhile, added: “I thank Nick Davis for giving me a chance to get back into men’s football at Sittingbourne. It’s a great club with quality supporters.  I’m sure they will get it right on and off the pitch.”

Maxwell has appointed former Margate striker Che Stadhart as his new assistant manager today, with Billy McMahon coming in as coach and Glen Warwick being appointed as strength and conditioning coach.

Sittingbourne travel to league leaders Ramsgate on Saturday 14 January (15:00).