We are working tirelessly to make this work, says Sittingbourne joint-boss Nick Davis

SITTINGBOURNE joint-manager Nick Davis says he is searching for players to score more goals from all over the pitch.



The Brickies have lost strike partners Joe Taylor (27 goals) and Ryan Golding (20) this summer and Davis wants more players to get on the scoresheet next season.

Sittingbourne finished in fourteenth-place in the Ryman League Division One South season and Davis and Matt Wyatt are preparing for life without the prolific strike pairing.
“We have been really busy so far being our first full season as managers,” said central defender Davis, 32.

“We have managed to keep the services of thirteen of last season’s squad and so far added two in Ollie Brown and Matt Martin from Whitstable.

“There are a couple more who we are waiting on.

“We are under no illusion that we will probably lose Joe Taylor and Ryan Golding and with that 47 goals last term and 50 plus the season before.

“This hasn’t come as a surprise and we have been planning for weeks if not months with life without them.

“This will be a huge task in us replacing such fire power but on the other hand we came a little reliant on the two and if they didn’t score we didn’t win!

“I speak regularly to other managers and Tony Russell, my old manager and pal, informs me his VCD Athletic side scored over 100 goals in claiming the Ryman North title and not one player got over 15 goals.

“That tells me they had match winners all over the pitch and shared the work-load.

“We are going to set ourselves up a little different this year and hopefully four or five get 15 goals a piece.”

Davis reflected that his side had a better second part to the season last time out and will be addressing that so the side start well when the season gets under way on 9 August.

He said: “Listen, we were not far away in the second part of the season and lost only five from 26 which puts us in the top seven.

“You only get out what you put in and we are working tirelessly to make this work.

“We are generally really excited and can’t wait to get going so bring on the 28^th June!”

Sittingbourne have invited 54 players to the club’s trials on 21 June – but Davis, who operates on a small playing budget, does not want players who are chasing the pound notes.

He said: “My philosophy is if they don’t want to play for you or the club, see you later!

“We have noticed that (players get offered) £10 more and they are off! It has changed since I started playing all that time ago!”

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