Sittingbourne new boy Alkeo Bani targeting Isthmian South East title following move from Wingate & Finchley

Alkeo Bani has set his sights firmly on winning the league after joining Sittingbourne.

The chance to challenge for the Isthmian South East title was a major pull for the energetic midfielder.

Bani went close to promotion last season, reaching the Isthmian Premier play-offs with Wingate & Finchley.

And after dropping a level to join Sittingbourne, the former Albania under-19 international sees championship potential under Ryan Maxwell.

Bourne themselves are looking to go one better after reaching the play-offs in Maxwell’s first full season.

“The way the gaffer pitched it to me was that we’re looking to be up there again,” said Bani, who was on the books of Brentford, QPR, Fleetwood and Watford as a youngster.

“They went so close last season and with the players coming in as well, I imagine we’ll be up there again.

“The aim is to go for the league - 100%.

“I feel if you’re not aiming to win the league then you don’t really believe in yourself as an individual and a team.

“Without even speaking to any of the players, just from a couple of conversations with the gaffer, I feel we should be going for the league.

“For a Step 4 team, it’s so professional. We’ve already got our gym programmes and running programmes, so everyone’s on you as they would be in a full-time environment.

“That’s an attraction for me but the main one was adding a promotion to my CV and being part of a winning team who play a style of football that suits me.

“I felt that was important and just learning off a gaffer who’s played in my position and has been in the game a long time.

“Moving forward, as an individual and a player, I felt it might be the move that could ultimately help me make it to the next level.”

Bani, 23, was drawn to Maxwell’s honesty during transfer talks and is confident the Northern Irishman will improve him as a player.

He added: “He’s watched me play and as much as you like a manager saying you do this great and that great, my favourite thing about him was he was straight to the point.

“He was saying I think you can do this better and I think you can do more of this and more of this and I’m going to help you get there.

“I told him I asked around before making a decision, about what he’s like.

“It was mixed opinions but the only thing I got from it was he’s a winner.

“He’ll be in your face and I don’t mind that.

“It’s all for a good cause and if you’re not looking to win then don’t be a part of that changing room because you’re going to get it and I’m all for it.”

Bani started out at centre-half but operates in midfield these days.

He can sit in front of the defence if needed but there’s more to his game than that.

“Coming through the ranks I was a centre-half but when I went into non-league I took more of a midfield role,” said Bani.

“I’m hungry for the ball and I just want to play.

“I very quickly understood that the ball isn’t on the floor 24/7 in non-league so I had to adapt.

“I’m happy I’ve added that to my game where I’m not always expecting the ball to feet.

“I’ve got legs on me and sometimes I feel like I’m holding myself back when I’m sitting in front of the backline.

“I know I can get forward, I have a goal or two in me although I feel I don’t get myself in enough positions to shoot. That’s something I can do more of.

“Yes, I’m a No.4 but I’m definitely a No.8 as well.

“I like to do a bit of box-to-box, a bit of creative play, setting people up and having a few shots on goal myself.”

Bani almost signed for an Albanian First Division side a year ago.

The move fell through over personal terms and he returned for a third season at Wingate.

He has ambitions to play higher but perform well and the future will take care of itself.

“The moment I started enjoying football to the fullest was when I stopped worrying about where I could get to and where this Saturday could take me,” he said.

“I 100% have ambitions to play as high as possible but I try not to focus on that.

“The most important thing is to get myself fit over pre-season and start the season well.

“If you’re part of a winning team and you’re performing week in, week, something will come and you shouldn’t need to worry about it.”