Several players have turned down more money elsewhere to stay with Sittingbourne.

Top scorers Johan Caney-Bryan and Sid Sollis rejected moves to Chatham and Hastings respectively, while Tommie Fagg snubbed an approach from Whitstable.

The trio are among those to have attracted interest with manager Chris Lynch delighted to keep his squad together as they chase an Isthmian South East play-off place.

Lynch said: “We’ve got a great bunch of lads here who are keyed in to get us to the play-offs.

“Over the last three or four weeks all the teams have come in for our players and they’ve all stayed put.

“That tells you what we’re doing here.

“Chatham came in for Johan, Hastings wanted Sid Sollis and Whitstable were in for Faggy.

“Every week we’re getting seven-dayers coming in but, luckily, the squad believe in what we’re doing and they’re committed to the end of the year.

“It doesn’t matter what people offer them.

“They’ve been offered quite a bit more money and have turned it down. Fair play to them.

“We’re right in the mix, we’ve got a really difficult run of games coming up but that’s what you live for.

• Witt extends Brickies loan

“We’re obviously doing something right to keep hold of these players and that’s testament to how much the club has changed.

“We work hard behind the scenes, me, Darren Blackburn and the rest of the management team.

“We put on good training, which is important, and we’re true to our word.

“When you’ve got that trust it goes a long way and we’ve got a fantastic atmosphere here right now.

“You won’t find a louder, happier team than ours, even in the warm-up.”

Sittingbourne have added to their squad by signing former Arsenal man Nigel Neita.

The 26-year-old plays in the No.10 role and other former clubs include Dagenham, Dulwich, Billericay, Hythe and Ramsgate.

The Brickies drew 1-1 at home to third-placed Whitehawk last night while Whyteleafe, in fourth, visit Woodstock this Saturday.

Lynch said: “We’re playing good teams but we’ll do our thing and take the game to them. We’ve played well against the top sides this season.”

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