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SITTINGBOURNE manager Ryan Maxwell has dropped a bombshell by quitting the club to take charge of struggling Isthmian League Premier Division outfit Welling United.

News that the 42-year-old Northern Irishman had quit the Brickies filtered through to this website BEFORE today’s kick-off, when Sittingbourne held National League South full-timers Ebbsfleet United to a 1-1 draw before losing The FA Trophy Second Round tie 5-3 on penalties at Stonebridge Road.

Sittingbourne are under-performing in the Isthmian League South East Division this season and sit in thirteenth-place in the table upon Maxwell’s departure, having picked up 22 points (six wins, four draws and five defeats) from their 15 games.

The Brickies are 10 points adrift of the play-offs, where fifth-placed side Herne Bay thrashed the worst Hastings United side in living history 4-0 at Winch’s Field today.

Sittingbourne fought tooth-and-nail in last season’s title race, finishing their 42-match campaign with 101 points, but Ben Smith’s Ramsgate clinched the title by picking up 109 and Maxwell’s side lost on penalties to Burgess Hill Town in the play-off final.

“Ryan Maxwell leaves Sittingbourne FC with our very best wishes for the future and legendary status at the club secured,” said a club statement, put out at 22:00.

“He arrived in January 2023 when we were winless in 11 games and running out of hope. 

“He departs having led us to our first ever play-off campaign, the second 100 point season in the club’s 139-year history, and an unforgettable run to the Quarter-Finals of The FA Trophy.

“He has delivered for our supporters more memorable moments and wins that any club at our level could reasonably expect in any three-year period.

“But moreover, he has done so with warmth, charm and humility, forming a bond with the club and its fans that will remain long into the future.

“We say goodbye with a collective heavy heart, but wish Ryan every success for what we are sure will continue to be a very successful career in football management.”

Welling United have been very outright that interim manager Rod Stringer was to leave following their 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Cray Wanderers this afternoon.

The Wings suffered relegation from the National League South at the end of last season and are in grave danger of dropping out of the Isthmian League Premier Division at the first attempt.

Welling United are second-from-bottom in the seventh-tier division, having picked up only nine points (three wins) from their 16 games and Maxwell arrives at Park View Road with his new club five points adrift of safety.

Welling United’s recently-appointed Chief Executive Officer, Paul Barnes, said in a statement: “On the footballing front, our search for a new first-team manager has now concluded and we’re delighted to have appointed our chosen candidate.

“We received an overwhelming number of applications from talented managers, including some with strong experience at Step Three.

“Ultimately, we’ve selected someone whose values align with ours – a fierce competitor with integrity, professionalism and a hunger to restore our fortunes on the pitch.

“We’re confident this appointment will mark the beginning of a new era for the club and we hope to make a formal announcement in due course.

“Finally, I want to take a moment to pay tribute to Rod Stringer, who has stepped up for this club when few others would have.

“Rod answered the call – quite literally – just hours before a game (a 3-0 away win over Royston Town on Saturday 4 October) and simply said, ‘Let me grab my boots – I’ll see you at the ground.’  That’s the type of person he is; loyal, humble and full of heart.

“Rod and his staff have faced an enormous challenge over these past six weeks.  The circumstances were far from ideal – with an unbalanced squad, limited resources and difficult conditions – but they gave everything to steady the ship and allow the next phase of our journey to begin.

“Without Rod’s leadership, dedication and resilience, this transition would have been 10 times harder.

“On behalf of myself (and everybody else at the club), I want to personally thank Rod for everything he’s done.  He will forever be part of the Welling United family and there will always be a warm welcome and a pint waiting for him, here at Park View Road.”

Maxwell’s first game in charge of the Wings cannot be any harder as Jay Saunders brings his table-topping Folkestone Invicta to Park View Road in the Velocity Cup Third Round on Tuesday night.

Invicta – who humiliated Cray Wanderers 8-1 at Cheriton Road in midweek – were dumped out of The FA Trophy today, losing 2-1 at home to National League South side AFC Totton.

Folkestone Invicta have banked 36 points (11 wins, three draws and one defeat), one point clear of Brentwood Town.

Sittingbourne, meanwhile, haven’t formally confirmed whom will be in charge of the side for Tuesday night’s League trip to Crowborough Athletic, with Reece Prestidge expected to take charge.

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

Visit Welling United’s website: www.wellingunited.com