Results are important and the chairman wants to get away from the bottom three, says Nick Davis

SITTINGBOURNE temporary joint-manager Nick Davis says he is relishing the opportunity to manage the club.

The central defender, 31, and coach Matt Wyatt took temporary charge of the first team after joint-managers Jim and Danny Ward both handed in their resignation at Chatham Town following the club’s 3-0 win in the Kent Senior Cup First Round ten days’ ago.

Sittingbourne showed no signs of despair when they defeated Worthing 3-0 at Woodstock Park in the pair’s first game in charge, but they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Chipstead on Tuesday night.

“It came as a shock to us especially after such a good performance at Chatham,” revealed Davis, who played in the team that knocked out Kevin Watson’s side.

“It was a big shock when they came in the changing room and told us they were thinking they were leaving.

“I just wanted to say that I have all the respect in the world for the Wards as I have played over 200 games for them.”

Davis added: “Then Wednesday came and we were told we’re managers and Matt Wyatt got a phone call from the chairman to ask us to step in and steady the ship for the time being.

“We had a meeting on Thursday (before the Worthing game) with the players to regroup and see where we go from there.”

When asked whether he’d ever though he’d be a manager at this time of his career, Davis said: “No, never at any point I thought that would happen! It’s something that I’d want to do in the future.

“I am relishing the opportunity and we’ll give it a right good go.”

Davis was pleased with his team-mates reaction to the Ward’s departure and their victory over Worthing in their first game in charge.

“It was a great start against Worthing,” he said.  “We only had a couple of days.  We didn’t train on the Thursday. We met the players, which was a good outcome. The chairman came down to Woodstock and everyone decided we’d stick together.

“I phoned around a couple of contacts that I had at Faversham, who played Worthing the previous week, to get an insight what formation they play.

“It was quite easy to stay with the same side that played so well at Chatham and it paid dividends as we won 3-0.”

Davis says the sudden departure of the Ward brothers has not dampened team spirit at the club.

He said: “I’ve been playing there for over a year now so the majority of the side have stuck together.

“We’ve only lost one or two players during the summer and we’ve added one or two more, which has actually strengthened us believe it or not, even though the league table won’t tell you that.

“We had a good camaraderie and a good team spirit and they’ve stuck together. We’re pleased and honoured that the players have stuck around for Matt and I and hopefully we can go forward.”

When asked how long the pair will be in temporary charge of the club, Davis revealed: “We’ve been told that we’ve got some time. We’ve been told results are important but as long as we go about and do things in a professional manner and represent the club in the right way that’s just as important for him for the time being.

“Results are important and he (chairman Maurice Dunk) wants to get away from the bottom three.  Everyone wants to win this FA Cup game on Saturday with that £3,000, which will be a massive boost for the club.”

Sittingbourne welcome Sussex County League side Littlehampton Town to Woodstock tomorrow in The FA Cup First Qualifying Round.

Sittingbourne scraped past Chessington & Hook United in the last round, courtesy of Joe Taylor’s goal.

Littlehampton Town also needed one goal to defeat Southern Counties East Football League side Greenwich Borough on the West Sussex coast.

Sittingbourne go into the game sitting in the bottom four in the Ryman League Division One South table having collected two wins from their opening six league games.

Littlehampton Town, meanwhile, are in ninth-place in the Sussex County League top-flight – which is one division lower than Sittingbourne – with a 50% record from their opening four league games.  They are four points behind unbeaten leaders East Preston, who travel to Chatham Town in The FA Cup tomorrow.

“A few of our players haven’t been further this round,” said Davis.

“It’s a massive game for the players’ as well as the club. It’s a big game for them as well.

“We’ve spoken to a couple of people about Littlehampton and we know a bit about them. We haven’t had a lot of time to go and watch them play. We’ve had a few reports and we’ve heard they’re a big physical side reliant on some set-pieces.

“We’ve done a bit of homework on it and we’re going to set-up accordingly.”

Davis revealed he is willing to hand the captain’s armband to someone else given his new role.

“I’m still playing at the moment.  That’s something for the time being. We’ll keep it stable and we just keep our continuity going. I played 40 odd games last year and I was made captain this year.

“The captaincy will be looked at.  If we get the position full-time then we’ll be looking to pass it on.

“I’m still going to be playing. Matt and I talk daily. We talk hourly. It’s new to us and we’ll discuss plans and tactics during a game, at half-time, before and after.”

Meanwhile, if Sittingbourne avoid a draw tomorrow then they will welcome Erith & Belvedere to Woodstock next Tuesday, 17 September (7:45pm) in the Robert Dyas Ryman League Cup Second Round.

Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk

Sittingbourne  v  Littlehampton Town
The FA Cup with Budweiser First Qualifying Round
Saturday 14^th September 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Woodstock Park, Broadoak Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8AG