Sittingbourne are determined to start climbing the non-league pyramid after spending more than a decade in the same division.

Eleven consecutive seasons in Ryman League Division 1 South would suit plenty of clubs down to the ground – but not the Brickies.

Promotion is the priority at Woodstock Park, where facilities are being improved to give manager Nick Davis and his players the best environment to work in.

Sittingbourne secretary John Pitts said: “If the attitude of Sittingbourne Football Club was ‘we don’t want promotion, we’re happy where we are’, I wouldn’t be with the club.

“I’m not the only one like that. Our chairman, Maurice Dunk, is progressive. We want to go on to as high as we can.

“We’ve got 17 acres at Woodstock so with the right crowd and the right backing from the Science Park, which I’m sure we’ll get – Maurice has met the people and they seem to be supportive – we are progressive."

Work to improve the Woodstock pitch is coming on well and Bourne could also have new dugouts in place by the start of next season. Plans are also being discussed to meet the FA ruling that dressing rooms must be 20 square metres, with a deadline of March 31, 2019.

On the pitch, Davis has agreed terms with a new striker although several young players have left the club in the wake of John Embery and Jermaine Darlington’s departure to Herne Bay, where they have been appointed joint-managers.

Mr Pitts said: “Josh Wisson has moved on, as have Jack Steventon, Jake Embery and Conrad Lee. They’re all important players but we move on.

“Although the players haven’t actually said where they’re going, I suppose it’s pretty obvious. It’s annoying because these players have been brought on with the help of Sittingbourne Football Club.”