Spare a thought for central defender Jack Steventon. As Sittingbourne prepare to host National League Aldershot Town for a place in the Semi Finals of the FA Trophy, Steventon who has played an integral part of the Brickies “Road” to this weekend, is out for the season through injury and must join the capacity crowd at Woodstock on Saturday lunchtime watching on to see if the Brickies dream will continue. 

KSN caught up with one of the heroes of the Brickies win at Roots Hall in the last round – a 1-0 win at Southend United – and we spoke about the weekend and the heartache now facing one of the Isthmian South East players of the season. 

“Saturday is the biggest in the Club’s history – we’re playing a step one side in Aldershot, but regardless there is no pressure on us at all,” Steventon told us, “It’s a win, win undoubtedly! It’s going to be massive, and all the boys are going to love the day, and I have a good feeling about the game too!” 

“I am absolutely gutted that I’m not going to be involved on the pitch – I was devasted to be fair when I found out my season was over. Still very gutted now, but must come to terms with it now as things are out of my control so there’s not much point on dwelling on things and get on with my recovery so I can be back at the start of next season.” 

The central defender had featured in 42 of the Brickies games this season and found the net ten times from the back line – including four in one game against Lancing back in mid-January.

“I have been very lucky to play in such a talented and great team, and for such a fantastic manager as well,” he said reflecting on his shortened season.

“I am very grateful in that sense and have been happy to put in the best performances of my career. Getting goals as well – it truly has been a fantastic season and absolutely gutted that it has been cut short. I am glad that I have played a big part in what we have done this season.” 

Steventon started his career at Sittingbourne having played just over eighty games in his first spell and told us how the return came about. “It came out of nowhere really,” he admitted.

“I was at Hythe, and they were having a rebuild, and the results hadn’t started well before the approach came in. I had seen in the summer how strong we looked and the Sittingbourne ambition. As soon as I spoke with Maxy – his plans, his ambitions, and I want to win things, I want to win the League and trophies, and Ryan is the one to win them with – a real no-brainer!” 

“I had to be patient while waiting to get a place. We have some great defenders at the Club, and I knew when I came in that I would have to fight for my place and work hard to make sure that in any game I played, I was able to give my best which is what I have done thankfully – to be able to play the part that I have, and put some good performances in to stay in the side and become a regular.” 

“Scoring those four goals against Lancing is honestly still a bit surreal to say that I did that, but it was a fantastic day and an incredible achievement for me personally and something that I will remember for a very long time, along with a lot of other moments that have happened this year.”

“The boys were buzzing for me after the game, and I got them all to sign the match-ball; a lot of my friends and old team-mates were the ones who were shocked and couldn’t believe how I had managed to score four in one game! It was very funny but something that I will remember for a very long time!” 

“Southend for me and the Club was such a massive occasion regardless of the result. A lot of us have never played in a stadium like Roots Hall and the size of crowd against a full-time team. I loved every single second of it – it was really amazing; the way that we won it with the last-minute winner, there really is no better feeling.” 

And so, to this weekend, and their injured hero had this message for the Brickies fans. “The atmosphere that you generated at Southend was incredible, please do it all over again Saturday. We want the same noise as it will help us massively to get the best result that we can against another very good side in Aldershot.” 

“Personally, to end, I would also like to thank all the Brickies for the kind messages and support for me personally since the Erith game. I am very grateful, and I cannot thank you all enough; it means a hell of a lot and something that I will always remember.” 

“Thank you everyone for your support and see you next season…”