Evening Echo
The News
SITTINGBOURNE head to Southend United this weekend boasting the longest unbeaten run in the country.
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Echo News 'This is the one we wanted as a club' - Sittingbourne boss Maxwell on facing Blues
- Thread starter Evening Echo
- Start date
SITTINGBOURNE head to Southend United this weekend boasting the longest unbeaten run in the country.
But boss Ryan Maxwell hopes their best is yet to come.
The Kent club visit Roots Hall in the fifth round of the FA Trophy tomorrow having not been beaten in their last 27 matches.
And Maxwell regards taking on the Shrimpers as something or a dream tie.
“This is the one we wanted as a club, away to Southend,” said the former Braintree Town boss.
“For me it’s the most local because I’m Essex and all of my players are kind of East London way so it’s a club we know well.
“Southend have the biggest attendances in the National League so it’s a huge draw.
“As a clubman and director of football I want the club to get the very most out of it.
“But as manager of course I have a different hat on and maybe I should’ve wanted a team not quite as good as Southend at home.
“Ultimately it’s a great draw though.
“Roots Hall is a good, old fashioned stadium with a great crowd.
“You were a Championship not light years ago and everyone knows Southend United so there were many factors behind this was the draw we wanted.”
Sittingbourne go into the game as underdogs despite their good form.
Maxwell’s side sit second in the Isthmian League South East Division.
But the Irishman wants his team to make the most of their opportunity.
“It’s a rare occasion that a Step 4 side will travel to National League side, particularly in this stage of the competition,” said Maxwell.
“We know how lucky we are but we’ve earned our spot.
“Ever since the draw was made everyone has been looking forward to it but I’ve had to focus on league games.
“But now since the last game I’ve been looking forward to it too.
“Hopefully it’s a great day and we want to enjoy from our side.
“We want to put in a performance we can be proud of and who knows what might happen.”
Sittingbourne have not tasted defeat since September and have scored 86 goals in 26 league games this season.
But that level of consistency was certainly not in place when Maxwell first came to the club.
“It’s two years since we came in and they hadn’t won a game in 12,” recalled Maxwell.
“They were third bottom and now here we are.
“I’ve really worked incredibly hard to turn the club around and I work for great people too.
“I’ve given my all to get the team where it’s at.
“To be on this run is exceptional and I’ve been told it is the best in the country.
"Obviously I’m proud of that but hopefully we’ve got another game in us to hopefully surprise a few.
Sittingbourne will again be looking to upset the odds.
And Maxwell has been reliably informed the match is the biggest in the club’s history.
“Personally I’ve been told it’s the biggest by the statisticians but for me it doesn’t feel like the biggest,” said the Irishman.
“I’m only two years in and there are guys who have been at this club for many, many years who know some really good times and some difficult ones too.
“It’s the furthest we’ve gone in the FA Trophy and with the run we’re on too it’s the cheery on top of the cake.
“It’s great times for the club and everyone is paying their part.”
And that certainly includes the supporters as Sittingbourne will be roared on by more than 800 fans at Roots Hall.
“That’s probably what I’m most proud of if I’m honest,” said Maxwell.
“I’m trying to do things that aren’t just for short-term gain, I’m trying to help build the club in every way, shape and form.
“I’m incredibly proud of the numbers we have coming down and I’m tremendously proud that the home support has more than doubled since I’ve been there.
“I can only see it growing but to get more than 800 and the biggest away following at Roots Hall since Charlton – that to me is the achievement in itself.
“I want to put ever-lasting roots in the club."
But boss Ryan Maxwell hopes their best is yet to come.
The Kent club visit Roots Hall in the fifth round of the FA Trophy tomorrow having not been beaten in their last 27 matches.
And Maxwell regards taking on the Shrimpers as something or a dream tie.
“This is the one we wanted as a club, away to Southend,” said the former Braintree Town boss.
“For me it’s the most local because I’m Essex and all of my players are kind of East London way so it’s a club we know well.
“Southend have the biggest attendances in the National League so it’s a huge draw.
“As a clubman and director of football I want the club to get the very most out of it.
“But as manager of course I have a different hat on and maybe I should’ve wanted a team not quite as good as Southend at home.
“Ultimately it’s a great draw though.
“Roots Hall is a good, old fashioned stadium with a great crowd.
“You were a Championship not light years ago and everyone knows Southend United so there were many factors behind this was the draw we wanted.”
Sittingbourne go into the game as underdogs despite their good form.
Maxwell’s side sit second in the Isthmian League South East Division.
But the Irishman wants his team to make the most of their opportunity.
“It’s a rare occasion that a Step 4 side will travel to National League side, particularly in this stage of the competition,” said Maxwell.
“We know how lucky we are but we’ve earned our spot.
“Ever since the draw was made everyone has been looking forward to it but I’ve had to focus on league games.
“But now since the last game I’ve been looking forward to it too.
“Hopefully it’s a great day and we want to enjoy from our side.
“We want to put in a performance we can be proud of and who knows what might happen.”
Sittingbourne have not tasted defeat since September and have scored 86 goals in 26 league games this season.
But that level of consistency was certainly not in place when Maxwell first came to the club.
“It’s two years since we came in and they hadn’t won a game in 12,” recalled Maxwell.
“They were third bottom and now here we are.
“I’ve really worked incredibly hard to turn the club around and I work for great people too.
“I’ve given my all to get the team where it’s at.
“To be on this run is exceptional and I’ve been told it is the best in the country.
"Obviously I’m proud of that but hopefully we’ve got another game in us to hopefully surprise a few.
Sittingbourne will again be looking to upset the odds.
And Maxwell has been reliably informed the match is the biggest in the club’s history.
“Personally I’ve been told it’s the biggest by the statisticians but for me it doesn’t feel like the biggest,” said the Irishman.
“I’m only two years in and there are guys who have been at this club for many, many years who know some really good times and some difficult ones too.
“It’s the furthest we’ve gone in the FA Trophy and with the run we’re on too it’s the cheery on top of the cake.
“It’s great times for the club and everyone is paying their part.”
And that certainly includes the supporters as Sittingbourne will be roared on by more than 800 fans at Roots Hall.
“That’s probably what I’m most proud of if I’m honest,” said Maxwell.
“I’m trying to do things that aren’t just for short-term gain, I’m trying to help build the club in every way, shape and form.
“I’m incredibly proud of the numbers we have coming down and I’m tremendously proud that the home support has more than doubled since I’ve been there.
“I can only see it growing but to get more than 800 and the biggest away following at Roots Hall since Charlton – that to me is the achievement in itself.
“I want to put ever-lasting roots in the club."
This is why I love the cup.
Dave Smiths Love Child
Coach
It’s doesn’t matter if Europe, Fa, LDV , a one off cup tie is still football at its best at any level
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