Sittingbourne vice-chairman Andrew Marjeram says manager Ryan Maxwell is a joy to work with.

Maxwell and his backroom team transformed the Brickies from Isthmian South East relegation candidates to promotion contenders in a season.

They were in the bottom three when the ex-Braintree boss cut short a break from football to take charge in January last year.

After leading them to safety he set about challenging at the other end of the table, securing third place and a first-ever play-off campaign.

They lost 2-1 to Three Bridges in the semi-finals on Tuesday night but it’s been a season to remember.

Marjeram led the search for Nick Davis’ successor and, in Maxwell, he couldn’t have found a better fit.

“We just hit it off from day one,” said Marjeram.

“We’re both very passionate. He uses words like DNA and I think we follow that.

“We’re both hot-headed but in a good way - that’s the passion - and his attention to detail is phenomenal.

“It’s about having that relationship where we can’t give him everything he wants but what we do promise, we will deliver and he’s done exactly that and more.

“It’s a joy to work with him. He’s such a great guy and can go levels above, no question, but what’s really important to him is he enjoys it here, which I know he does, and the fans worship him.

“We’re like a family at this club and that's not just Ryan, that’s his staff and the players he’s brought in.

“They’re all fighting for the shirt, and that stems from Ryan, but also the fans and the board as well.

“As a board, we don’t always get it right - we’re only human - so we’ve just got to enjoy it while we can and do everything we can to keep it going.”

Maxwell had playing spells in Kent with Gravesend, Margate and Tonbridge but the Sittingbourne job was his first managerial role in the county.

Marjeram first made contact while doing his homework into the signing of Correy Davidson, an ex-player of Maxwell’s, and the rest is history.

“He came to a match, we got on really well and touched base a bit,” said Marjeram.

“I drove and met him a few times and he came to me.

“I’d love to say the deal was done straight away - it certainly wasn’t - but as soon as I met him, I knew he was the man to take us forward. We absolutely love him.”

Maxwell made no secret of his intention to challenge for promotion.

That was music to the ears of a club who have been starved of success since the 1990s.

They’ve dug deep to support their manager, while living within their means, and the results have been there for all to see, despite missing out in the play-offs.

“We’ve backed Ryan,” said Marjeram. “We’ve given him more than we’ve ever given a manager but he deserves it. “We’ve tried to give him every tool he needs and he’s totally delivered.”

Maxwell also holds the director of football role at Sittingbourne.

The club have a thriving youth section and the long-term plan is to bring more locals through to the first team.

They have more than 40 community sides - up from five when Marjeram joined the board five years ago. “Our youth teams are very successful,” said Marjeram.

“We’re trying to bring quite a few through, so that’s work in progress.

“We don’t have many local players playing for the first team but it’s something I really want us to do and Ryan’s up for that.

“It will take time, especially if we keep progressing, but we believe in homegrown players and he does, too.

“It’s making sure we get that right.

“We’re not there yet but it’s something we’re mindful of.

“We’re really going down the community angle.

“That’s a big reason why attendances have gone up but the the major one is because of the way the team are playing and that’s thanks to Ryan and his staff.

“The fans are brilliant. I live in Sidcup now and the reason I do it is for the community and the fans and, for Ryan, that’s a major reason why he’s here.”