Reece Prestedge has explained what attracted him to agree to join Sittingbourne.
Prestedge had been out of the game since he was sacked by Margate last December but will reunite with Brickies boss Ryan Maxwell for the 2024/25 campaign as he links up with the Isthmian South East side’s backroom team.
He will hope to help contribute to Sittingbourne’s promotion push after they lost their 2023/24 play-off semi-final to Three Bridges.
“My thought process was my next club had to have a winning mentality and wanted to move up,” said Prestedge.
“Sittingbourne just missed out in the play-offs last year. When Maxy turned up, they were third-from-bottom, so that’s a great achievement in itself.
“But they want to go further this year.
"I think, when you speak to Maxy, he will say the exact same thing. The aim is promotion.
“From what I’ve heard and seen, with what we’re building, I see no reason why that cannot happen.”
Maxwell and Prestedge know each other well, with Prestedge having played under the Northern Irishman at Braintree.
Prestedge noted: “I’ve known Maxy for a long time.
“I’m always one that helps out with players anyway. We just had a conversation about me possibly working with him.
“It was a bit of a no-brainer. I’ve met the chairman and most of the players, and it's a very well-organised club.
“The ambition - with what the chairman and Maxy want to do - it’s where you want to be.
"I just want to get started, to be honest.”
In terms of what he will add to the Brickies’ management team, Prestedge said: “Probably just my knowledge of the game.
“With players, I can help with that. Maxy has Billy (McMahon, coach) and Che (Stadhart, assistant manager) already in his management team and we have got similar ideas.
“We bounce ideas off each other, which is good.
"But there’s always going to be certain aspects where we don’t think the same - and you need that.
“I’m just looking forward to getting going, really.”
While the ambition at Woodstock is clear, promotion is easier spoken about than achieved.
Prestedge said: “I don’t think any league is easy at the moment. More and more clubs are trying to push on.
“If you look at the Isthmian Premier, that's probably the best it has ever been with Dartford and Dover in there.”
Sittingbourne’s fanbase also helped convince Prestedge to join the club.
“It feels like a family, if I’m honest, from speaking to Maxy, his management team and the chairman,” he said. “I went to some of their games last season.
“There’s a lot of support there, and that’s brilliant to see.”
Sittingbourne have landed another major summer signing, securing the services of Sheppey skipper Richie Hamill.
