Sittingbourne boss Chris Lynch has added Darren Blackburn to his coaching team.

The pair met when Bourne faced Blackburn's old club Hollands & Blair in a friendly in January - Lynch's first game in charge.

They stayed in touch and Blackburn, who quit Blair in March, has accepted an offer to join him at Woodstock.

It's a step up from Southern Counties East and Blackburn is excited to be working with Lynch, assistant manager Nathan Elder and fellow coach Josh Hall.

Blackburn said: "It's funny how these things work out because that friendly was arranged when Aslan Odev was still Sittingbourne manager.

"It turned out to be Chris' first game after Aslan left and we stayed in contact.

"I watched a few games at the end of last season and Chris invited me to come on board.

"It's a great opportunity to work with a couple of ex-pros in Chris and Nathan and Josh is a good young coach.

"It's a good mix and, at this stage, being a coach probably is a better fit for me than being a manager.

"When I went to Blair I was under no illusions.

"It was my first job as a No.1 and when you don't have a track record, you find some people have doubts about you.

"It makes managing a side harder when you're experiencing it for the first time but I've no doubts in my own ability.

"I can bring something to Chris' party and he feels the same, which is nice.

"It didn't work out for me at Blair, for different reasons, but this is a new journey.

"It's another great club, it's still local, the fans are loud and very loyal and hopefully we can give them plenty to shout about."

Lynch has started a summer rebuild after keeping Sittingbourne in Bostik South East.

He's ambitious to kick on next season and the coaching staff share his vision.

Blackburn said: "It's Chris' train set and we're all on board with the targets he's set us as coaches.

"He's very professional in in everything he does, very disciplined and he ticks a lot of the boxes for me personally in my development as coach.

"The gaffer is adamant we won't be in the same position again next season.

"There will be improvements, the recruitment's started and we're all using our contacts, working on new players.

"Everyone knows their roles and responsibilities.

"It's a good time to get involved, it's reignited my passion for football and when I speak to Chris, we're of very similar minds.

"I get on really well with him and Nathan and Josh and I'm confident we'll work well together."

Sittingbourne have confirmed pre-season friendlies at Sheppey (July 16, 7.45pm) and Bearsted (July 20, 3pm).

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