Sittingbourne manager Ryan Maxwell has handed fans an early Christmas present by signing a contract extension.

Maxwell has signed a new two-and-a-half-year deal, keeping him at Woodstock until the end of the 2026/27 season.

There’s also an option to extend at the end of that.

The Brickies are enjoying a campaign to remember under the Northern Irishman and were keen to tie him down beyond the summer.

They’re currently second in Isthmian South East, two points behind leaders Ramsgate, after winning 10 successive league games.

Sittingbourne also boast a 100% home record in the league, winning 10 out of 10 at Woodstock, scoring 41 goals and conceding three.

That’s the best home record in the top eight divisions in English football, as is their +47 goal difference.

Maxwell has also led Sittingbourne into the last 32 of the FA Trophy for the first time in the club’s history after beating Enfield of National League South 4-2 last weekend.

Brickies vice-chairman Andrew Marjeram is delighted to secure Maxwell’s future.

“We’ve got a great relationship,” he said.

“He loves the club and the fans and what we’re trying to do here.

“We’re trying to build something sustainable and he’s an integral part of that.

“He’s a family man, we’re all honest guys, he really fits in with our DNA and, by his own admission, he doesn’t know whether he would get that at another club.

“We’re ambitious as a club but at the same time we know we’ve got to be astute in how we operate and he’s all for that.

“It’s fantastic news for us to get the contract done.

“I think it’s just where the momentum was going.

“The whole community is buzzing at the moment and this is a great Christmas present for all the Sittingbourne fans.

“I’ve never enjoyed a season so much.

“There’s a real buzz and we’re not going to stop there.

“We’re going to support Ryan and his team as much as we possibly can to keep it going.”

Former Braintree boss Maxwell cut short a break from football to take charge at Sittingbourne two years ago next month.

They were in the relegation zone at the time but he steered them to safety before finishing third in his first full season, losing to Three Bridges in the play-off semi-finals.

Maxwell resigned days after, having been offered the chance to work closer to home, but changed his mind and returned a week later, announcing the news to thrilled fans at the club’s presentation night.

Discussing his qualities, Marjeram said: “He just demands the best.

“The players all love him, they’ve all bought into his methods.

“He strives for the best, he strives for perfection.

“He’s tough when he needs to be but he’s always there if you need to talk to him and he knows when to put an arm round the shoulder.

“His man-management skills are second to none.”

Sittingbourne host Merstham on Saturday.