Ryan Maxwell has resigned as Sittingbourne manager after 16 months in charge.

Maxwell led the Brickies to third place in Isthmian South East this season and a first-ever play-off campaign, enjoying a great rapport with the club and their fans.

They were edged 2-1 by Three Bridges in Tuesday night’s semi-final - the Northern Irishman’s final game.

Maxwell transformed Sittingbourne’s fortunes, having inherited a side in the relegation zone when he succeeded Nick Davis in January last year.

But he was travelling a long way - living near Stansted Airport - and with a young family to consider, the 40-year-old has reluctantly stood down.

He’s set to take a job closer to home, writing on X an “opportunity had presented itself to do so”.

A Brickies statement said: “Sittingbourne FC can regrettably confirm that first-team manager Ryan Maxwell has left the club.

“With the team rooted in the relegation zone last season when Ryan and his team took over, we went on to stay up and to break several club records on the way.

“An amazingly successful campaign this season which saw us unfortunately just miss out in reaching the play-off final.

“Ryan has been upfront and honest with the club and has given his all for us since the day he arrived and advised us last night that his departure was purely based on a family and location decision, with it being the hardest decision of his career to leave the club.

“The club did all that we possibly could to keep Ryan and his team but we fully understand his reasons especially with his young family in situ.

“We would like to thank Ryan for all his hard work and appreciate everything he has done in his time at the club.

“Work is already under way to find a new manager and we will update when we are in a position to do so.”

Maxwell wrote on X: “An incredibly hard decision to leave a club I’ve loved.

“Sittingbourne has been special and the fans, well…you became friends. I’ll miss you.

“It’s purely a family decision to be closer to home and an opportunity has presented itself to do so.”