Ryan Maxwell says he’s become invested in Sittingbourne after signing a two-year deal with the club.

Maxwell had other offers on the table but wants to stay and finish the job at Woodstock alongside his management team of Che Stadhart, Billy McMahon and Glen Warwick.

The former Braintree boss, who is also Bourne’s director of football, enjoys an excellent relationship with vice-chairman Andrew Marjeram, making him aware of interest from elsewhere.

Ultimately, a combination of factors kept Maxwell and his staff at Sittingbourne, with contract talks having started at the end of the season.

“Andrew and I get on extremely well,” said Maxwell.

“He knew there were a couple of clubs pestering me.

“We’re very open and honest with each other - that’s why we get on so well.

“He understood I had to hear the clubs out but we made the choice, and I say ‘we’ because we made it as a management team, to stay.

“We were happy to commit to this. We believe in what we’re doing here.

“When you speak about players being loyal, a bit of that comes into as well. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

“When you get your feet under the table at a club - I’m heavily involved behind the scenes, trying to make it as well-run as possible - you get invested in it, don’t you?

“You get attached and it becomes your club as well.

“We are attached and we’ve made that connection with the fans as well.”

With Maxwell’s future settled, player negotiations become easier.

The level of trust that exists between the manager and Marjeram is clear when it comes to Sittingbourne’s recruitment.

“Andrew lets me get on with it, without being questioned in any way, shape or form,” said Maxwell.

“If I want to give a player a two-year contract, as long as it’s within the budget, I can do that.

“As a management team, where we’ve signed for two years, it puts us in a good position.

“As a player, you’d be a bit reluctant to sign if your contract is longer than the manager’s.”

Sittingbourne’s latest signings are defenders Matt Weaire and Jack Morrell, and midfielder/forward Luke Woodwood.

Weaire and Morrell arrive from Cray Wanderers and King’s Lynn respectively, while Woodwood joins from Brightlingsea Regent.

Sittingbourne appear to have limited chances of seeing loanees Joe Tyrie and Harley Earle return next season.

The pair have signed new deals with Tonbridge and Maidstone respectively and Maxwell can see them playing for their parent clubs.

“Tonbridge are going to give Joe an opportunity and I’m delighted about that,” said Maxwell.

“If he’s not quite ready we’d welcome him back but I’ve a feeling we’ll be seeing him line up for Tonbridge on the first day of the season.

“It’s a bit different for Harley, where he’s a keeper, playing for one position.

“If there’s two or three keepers at a club, someone’s got to go out on loan.

“I think Harley will be in contention for the No.1 spot at Maidstone and he’s capable of pushing whoever it might be.

“It’s a lot to ask a 19-year-old to play a full season in National South but we all know he’s up for the challenge and we wish him all the best.

“We hope he’s between the sticks for Maidstone on the first day of the season. I’d love to see that.”