Chris Lynch’s commitment to Sittingbourne goes way beyond the first team.

The Brickies boss made his name as a coach in youth football and it’s an area of the club he’s keen to develop.

He believes it’s an approach that sets him apart from other bosses in non-league football.

Lynch said: “I’m planning now for next season in terms of the whole youth set-up.

“I’ve been to a meeting and I’ve put in place some new development plans for the whole youth system.

“This is the difference between me and a lot of other managers at these levels.

“Even though it’s not a full-time position, enough for you to quit your main job, what you put in is what you get out, and if you want the club to be successful over the long term then you’ve got to have a structure in place.

“A lot of managers will turn round and say, ‘fine, but I could be sacked in six months, so what’s the point?’

“Others might turn round and say, ‘I’m here to be first-team manager, that’s it.’

“But for me it’s the whole package and that’s why the fans are on board, that’s why the committee are all singing off the same hymn sheet.

“That’s why we’re doing well because players know in the first team next year they’re going to be pushed by our development squad and that’s going to be pushed by the under-18 squad, and so on.

“That’s the beauty of being able to come in as a manager and have free rein to make significant changes for the future.

“They’ve seen what I want and what’s going to help them, so why not go with it?”

Sittingbourne made two new signings before the Bostik South East transfer deadline.

Winger Kane Phillip, who played for the Brickies under Nick Davis, rejoined from Canterbury, and they also welcomed prolific Millwall youth-team striker Harry Taylor.

Bourne bid to end a run of three defeats when they host Horsham on Saturday.

Defender Lex Allan is set to make a first home appearance under Lynch after returning from an 11-week lay-off in the 2-1 defeat at Greenwich last weekend.