Sittingbourne appoint Joe Anderson as interim-manager after parting company with Reece Prestedge by mutual consent after 49 games in charge at Woodstock Park

SITTINGBOURNE have parted company with manager Reece Prestedge last night after only 49 games in charge at Woodstock Park.

The club went down to a 2-0 home defeat to Steyning Town yesterday, a result that leaves The Brickies in tenth-place in the eighth-tier Isthmian League South East Division table, having picked up 21 points (six wins, three draws and seven defeats).

Sittingbourne are only two points adrift of the six-team play-off zone and made it just one win in their last eight games in League and Cup before the club decided to wield the axe after the game.

“The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Reece to his hard work, dedication and commitment during his time in charge,” said a club statement.

“Having taken over midway through last season, following the departure of our previous manager, Reece guided the team to the play-offs for the third successive season, an achievement for which we are extremely grateful.

“Despite a promising start to the current campaign, a lengthy injury list has disrupted the squad and hampered our progress on recent weeks.

“Reece leaves with our appreciation for everything he has contributed to Sittingbourne FC and we wish him every success in his future endeavours.

“Sittingbourne FC is pleased to announce Joe Anderson as interim manager, assisted by Godfrey Poku.

“We wish them both every success while the club assess our options.”

Prestedge, who took over from Ryan Maxwell, who has since guided Welling United to second-place in the Isthmian League Premier Division, was in charge of 49 games across all competitions, where he won 24 of them, drawn nine and lost 16.

Sittingbourne reached the Isthmian League South East Division Play-Offs for the past three seasons, losing 2-1 at home to Three Bridges in the Semi-Final in 2024, losing the Final on penalties to Burgess Hill Town under Maxwell a year later and last season they went down to a 2-0 Semi-Final defeat away to AFC Croydon Athletic.

Anderson, 37, has previously played for Fulham, Woking (loan), Lincoln City, AFC Hornchurch, Billericay Town, Cambridge United, Bromley, Maidstone United, Chelmsford City, Welling United and Margate.

It will be his first stint in football management and takes charge of his first game when Sittingbourne travel to Broadbridge Heath on Saturday, the side immediately beneath them in the League table (20 points, five wins, five draws and four defeats).

Prestedge declined to comment after his penultimate game in charge, a six goal thriller at Herne Bay last Tuesday night.