Sittingbourne boss Ryan Maxwell is set to discuss his long-term future at the club.

Maxwell couldn’t be happier at Bourne and is already making plans for a promotion challenge next season.

He met his first transfer target on Monday and he’s due to speak with vice-chairman Andrew Marjeram.

The aim is to be able to provide players with clarity when discussing moves to Sittingbourne.

“We’re having a meeting this week to discuss mine and my staff’s future,” said Maxwell.

“By that, I mean the length of contract we would be keen to sign because if you want players to buy into your vision, they need to know you’re going to be there.

“I wouldn’t tell a player to sign a two-year deal if I’ve only got a one-year deal.

“One of the questions I was asked on Monday when I met a player was how long am I going to be here?

“So I’m keen to have a chat, as is Andrew, about my time here but I don’t see there being an issue.

“The obvious thing we had to do when I came in was to keep the club up.

“I’m very much one thing at a time as a manager and as a man and having done that, we can have a conversation.”

Securing Maxwell’s future would also warn off clubs who might be considering a move for the Northern Irishman.

He arrived at Woodstock with a good reputation after working wonders to get Braintree out of trouble in National South.

And he transformed the Brickies from relegation candidates to one of the form teams in Isthmian South East in the space of a few months after succeeding Nick Davis.

“We both know a few vacancies have popped up that may have me linked with them,” said Maxwell.

“The rumour mill in football is rife but I only ever believe something if I’ve heard it from the horse’s mouth.

“I’m very upfront and if there was interest, Andrew would know because I would tell him.

“That’s the sort of relationship we’ve got.”

Sittingbourne ended the season with a first defeat in 13 matches, losing 3-1 at Lancing to finish in 11th place.

They’ll be one of the teams to watch next season and Maxwell anticipates keeping the majority of the squad on board.

“I think we’ll retain 75% of the players,” he said.

“We’ve got a nice cake, we just need a couple of sprinkles on top.

“We need one or two players to be where we want to be but the heart and soul of the team, we’re looking to retain.

“I’ll be speaking to some players this week and shaking some hands but it’s very obvious we don’t need wholesale changes.

“I met a potential new signing on Monday morning, a player of significant pedigree who’s played in the National League.

“He was very quick to highlight the turnaround we’ve had at the club and he’ll be a key player if all is agreed.

“It makes it an easier sell when you’ve done well.

“The players have been absolutely outstanding.

“I think we can all see how well they’ve done since we came in. I was flat as a pancake, for them, on Saturday because I really wanted them to finish 13 games unbeaten.

“That’s an accolade I wanted them to have but they’ve had more than enough accolades and pats on the back and deservedly so.

“We’re going to have a little knees-up to say thank you to them. I’m keen to show the lads they’re appreciated and it’s important we do that.

“They’ve finished the season well and they know what’s expected of them now.

“It’s been a taste of what’s to come because I’ve put them under a lot of pressure in the last two months to prepare them for what it’s going to be like next season.

“I told them every single game was important, for many reasons, if they wanted to stay part of it and most of them came through with flying colours.”

Sittingbourne did more than enough to leave Lancing with a share of the spoils, hitting the woodwork three times, but finished on a rare defeat.

Chaynie Burgin got them back in the game after goals from Reece Hallard and Darius Goldsmith but Hallard ended comeback hopes with a last-minute clincher.