Since his arrival, Kingstonian's fortunes on the pitch have significantly improved.

The team have reached the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup, memorably beating then-Football League opposition in Macclesfield Town and qualified for the same stage of the Buildbase FA Trophy twice.

Although Bird's first two seasons were incomplete due to COVID, the team was in contention for the play-offs in his first campaign, then well-placed in fourth at the time the 2020/21 competition was curtailed.

This season, the team is enjoying their most successful league season since the departure of Alan Dowson in 2014.

Bird has significantly changed the style of play and, whilst doing so, transferred Sam Oguntayo to Charlton Athletic, Corie Andrews to AFC Wimbledon and Bryant Akono Bilongo to Middlesbrough.

Having arrived following a turbulent campaign, Bird has also worked together with the Board and the Supporters` Club to unite the club, both on and off the pitch.

In light of these achievements, the board of directors is delighted that Bird has committed his future to Kingstonian by signing a contract for the next two-and-a-half-years.

Bird told https://www.kingstonian.com: "Following really positive discussions with the club, I'm both honoured and privileged to commit my long-term future to Kingstonian.

“As a club, we are making great strides on and off the pitch. I'm delighted to sign and privileged that the Directors have place such trust in me to achieve our collective goals.

"Since I arrived, the fans have been absolutely brilliant to me, I can't tell you how much I appreciate that!" stressed the manager.

"I know how much Kingstonian means to all of them, and I value my relationship with our supporters enormously.

"In signing until 2024, myself and the players will not rest until we have given our fans the success they have been starved of since the days of Geoff Chapple. The success our supporters so richly deserve."

Chairman John Fenwick confirmed the club's desire for both stability and continuity while work continues to move into a new stadium: "The directors are delighted that Hayden has agreed to commit to the club for the next two and a half years. We felt that it was important to secure his long-term future with the club in order to move forward."

"We look forward to building upon the achievements and progress made by both Hayden and the team in the months and years ahead".