by Kevin Redsull

Danny Ward believes Sittingbourne are capable of exceeding expectations this season.

When Ward and his older brother Jim were appointed joint managers at the end of May, they stated they had a two-year plan for the club – consolidating with a mid-table finish in the first season and going for promotion in the next.

But, as they prepare for Saturday’s opening Ryman League Division 1 South game at Three Bridges, Danny said: “Although I’m sure the chairman would be over-the-moon with mid-table after finishing third from bottom last season, we are capable of doing better than that.

“We are further ahead than we thought we would be at this stage, what with the wage bill we’ve got and the fact we’ve got nine players on contract who are all under-23.

“The great thing is that everyone at the club is enjoying it so much and has a smile on their faces. I was out of the game for a couple of years and although it’s hectic at the moment, I’m loving every minute.”

New skipper Jason Dolby will be available on Saturday but Kane Harrington is still away for a match which will be the Sussex club’s first ever game in the Ryman League after they won the Sussex County League title season.

Ward added: “We’ve got two training sessions this week and we are all champing at the bit to get the serious stuff under way.”

Tom Skelton, like Harrington a right-back, is also unavailable for the Three Bridges game because he is taking his Level 2 FA coaching badge but Ward said: “We’ve still got a squad of 18 for Saturday and we are happy with that.”

The Brickies’ first home game is against Folkestone Invicta next Wednesday.

Do you think the Brickies can exceed expectations and secure a place in the top-half of the Ryman League table? Have your say below.