Sittingbourne have named former Braintree boss Ryan Maxwell as their new manager.

Maxwell, 39, attended the Brickies’ 2-0 home defeat by Whitehawk yesterday, with his appointment announced after the game.

The Northern Irishman succeeds Nick Davis, who left by mutual consent after a 10-game winless run left them third-bottom of Isthmian South East.

Andy Drury, the Brickies’ initial target to succeed Darren Blackburn last summer, had been tipped to replace Davis, having left Margate last month.

But they’ve gone in a different direction in Maxwell, who last season worked wonders to get Braintree out of trouble in National South before standing down.

“I’m all energy,” Maxwell, who’s also been named director of football, told the Brickies website.

“I’m very demanding. I know where we are but I’ve done this type of job twice before, once at Walthamstow and obviously at Braintree. I know how to do it.

“It’s obviously difficult but I like the challenge. It’s part of the reason I’m here.

“You’ll get lots of energy, probably lots of noise, I’m quite a noisy man but ultimately I just want the best for this football club or anybody I work for.

“The boys are very lucky to be wearing a Sittingbourne shirt and I’ve tried to explain that today.

“I’ve seen enough to know this is a very privileged position to be playing here or managing here and that’s going to be in everyone’s mind going forward.”

Maxwell's first official game in charge is at league leaders Ramsgate next weekend.