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Sittingbourne sign ex-Prem and EFL player with aim of getting him to enjoy his football again

Sittingbourne sign 29 year old ex-Prem and EFL player Jordon Ibe with the aim of getting him to enjoy his football again.

Their manager Ryan Maxwell spoke of there being patience, a step-by-step approach focused on fitness, enjoyment, and small goals rather than an immediate return to professional play.

Ibe has been training with his new side, who currently sit 9th in the Isthmian League – South East Division with 19 points from 11 games played, for the past week.

CLUB STATEMENT:

We’re proud to announce that Sittingbourne FC has been entrusted with supporting Jordon on his journey to rediscover the joy of football. After discussions between Jordon, his agent, and the club, it was agreed that Sittingbourne provides the ideal environment with our recent successes and strong team culture to help him thrive once again.

Jordon was influenced by the many positive things he’s heard about the club, and he believes this is the perfect place to rebuild momentum and showcase his talent. We’re delighted to play a part in helping him get back to where he belongs in the game.

Our goal is simple: to see Jordon perform at his best. Nothing would make us happier than to see him excel over the coming months and return to full-time football a success that would reflect both his hard work and the club’s commitment to development.

We’re truly humbled to have a player of Jordon’s calibre – a former Premier League talent – join Sittingbourne FC. His presence is a testament to the progress the club has made in recent years. Even in his short time here, Jordon has already shown that his quality and ability remain as strong as ever. It’s now up to all of us to embrace that and make the most of this exciting chapter, for both Jordon and the club.

Maxwell explained, per Kent Online:

“They said, ‘Maxy we’d really like Jordon to come to you, at least to train, and take it from there, we think you’re capable of reigniting the ability and the love for it’.

“I was humbled by that and certainly keen to help.

“After meeting him, I immediately took to him, and I’m going to try and help him and support him as best I can.

“He’s trained two sessions and he’s already done things that no player in this league can do with a football.

“The ability, the magic is still there. He’s only 29. This isn’t a 35-year-old who’s not been playing, this is a 29-year-old who can still run, move, shift.

“He’s got super-quick feet still, so he’s got lots to offer as a player.

“I just want to take it step by step, once we get his international clearance through, because he was registered out in Sweden, although he didn’t feature as he couldn’t get a visa.

“Once that’s through, there’ll be no pressure, no rush.

“He isn’t match-fit, so we have a bit of a journey on the fitness front to go through first, but there’s no doubt about the boy’s ability.

“It’s there for all to see, I just want him to enjoy the journey.”

Ibe watched on as Sittingbourne won 2-1 in the FA Trophy against Cray Valley, setting up a second-round clash at his former club Ebbsfleet next month.

Despite his youth and talent for a professional return, it’s not currently on the agenda, and manager Maxwell hasn’t discussed it.

“He just needs to enjoy his life.

“If I can help him do that, I think that will filter on to the pitch.

“We’ve had a couple of chats, honest ones, and I think that’s where we need to be.

“He’s been given a quick dunk into non-league football.

“On Saturday he was given some runs to do, which weren’t easy, but he didn’t bat an eyelid, he got them done, so he didn’t see a football, and his attitude’s been really good.

“He has to keep working step by step and ticking little goals off along the way, rather than looking at the biggest prize, which I don’t think is healthy.

“I think we have to keep it small, and we’ll look back and before you know it he’ll have achieved many little goals along the way.

“I want him to be happy and if he’s happy, I’m sure he’ll perform.

“We’ve not even spoken about going back into the pro game and I think that’s healthy because if you over-reach you’ll feel disappointed. It’s day by day, game by game, small win after small win. I think that’s the way to go.

“I just think he’s got to enjoy his football, really enjoy it, and from enjoyment, the desire to push on may come naturally.

“At the minute, we’re going to get him fit, then we’ll integrate him into the team but he’s not going to be ready for 90 minutes any time soon.

“It’s not going to happen overnight but, trust me, if we can get him fit and enjoying his football, then he’s going to be a massive, massive addition to us.”

IBE’S CAREER:

Youth career
2003–2007 – Charlton Athletic
2007–2011 – Wycombe Wanderers

Senior
2011–2012 – Wycombe Wanderers – 11 games (1 goal)
2012–2016 – Liverpool – 58 games (4 goals)
2014 → Birmingham City (loan) – 11 games (1 goal)
2014–2015 → Derby County (loan) – 24 games (5 goals)
2016–2020 – AFC Bournemouth – 92 games (5 goals)
2020–2021 – Derby County – 1 game (0 goals)
2022 – Adanaspor
2023–2024 – Ebbsfleet United – 3 games (0 goals)
2024 – Hayes & Yeading United – 10 games (1 goal)
2025 – Hungerford Town – 10 games (1 goal)
2025– Sittingbourne

International career
2012–2013 – England U18 – 2 games (0 goals)
2013–2014 – England U19 – 6 games (4 goals)
2014 – England U20 – 3 games (0 goals)
2015–2016 – England U21 – 4 games (0 goals)

Here’s how fans reacted as Sittingbourne sign ex-Prem and EFL player with the aim of getting him to enjoy his football again…

@nonleaguesouths: Incredibly intriguing signing! One to watch of course!

@BabyOilMatt: Ffs thought you meant he was a bricklayer then

@glentiesbhoy: Still feel like he could do a job for @SUFCRootsHall

@OliBrown98: Wow, you fucking brickies 🧱 Turn the season around and get that promotion push going 😮‍💨

@dean_bha: Some signing that

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