Everyone expects us to get promoted this year, admits Maidstone United boss Jay Saunders

MAIDSTONE UNITED player-manager Jay Saunders says all of his players want to play a part in the club’s last game in exile.


The Stones face Kent Invicta League neighbours Bearsted in their opening pre-season friendly on Saturday – seven days before their emotional homecoming match against Brighton & Hove Albion.

When asked about pre-season training so far, Saunders said: “We’ve had quite a lot of numbers there because of the new stadium.  It’s gone well.   Everyone’s come back fit and you can see they’ve all looked after themselves.

“It seems to have flown by to be honest. I know everyone’s focusing on the Brighton game but I think all the boys are looking forward to getting back playing on Saturday.

“I was planning to use more trailists and a few of the reserves but all the first team players have been coming back to me and wanting them to play against Bearsted, which is good.  They all want to play a part in the Brighton game so they’re all trying to stake their claim to play in that game.”

Saunders has revealed that he will be taking a strong side to play Kent Invicta League side Bearsted at the weekend.

He said: “We’ll take all the lads that we’ve signed, eighteen including myself and Steve Ward, my assistant.

“I’ll speak to the lads and see how they feel fitness wise and a couple of the older ones that feel they’ll benefit from another training session as it may be too early to come back into a game.  The likes of Paul Booth and Shaun Welford will probably have a training session up there.

“The majority of the lads will get a run out and we’ve got a couple of trailists and reserve lads who will get a game.”

Saunders insisted he wants to play more of a part this season, having suffered with niggling injuries last term.

He said: “I’d like to play more than I did last year.  I struggled with injuries last year.  If I’m fit and playing well then I’ll look to play myself. If people are doing a better job than all means, whatever, I’ll set my team out to win games.  If that’s me in it, we’ll wait and see.”

Saunders revealed he will look at every single player of his squad throughout the club’s 12-match pre-season campaign.

“To be honest a lot of it is out of my hands,” explained Saunders about his lengthy pre-season campaign.

“The club wanted, with the homecoming, to get a lot of home games in, which is understandable, so there’s a few games now they’ve all been booked where we will have mixed squads going, maybe a couple of them, some of the reserves.

“I have to manage it and make sure everyone’s getting enough minutes, but not too much too early, so I’ve got to sit down and work it out and see if everyone’s alright and tackle each game as it comes really.”

Saunders admitted he will be under pressure to deliver promotion out of Ryman League Division One South next April.

“Some of the players felt a bit of pressure last year – that will be doubled this year,” said Saunders.

“People are saying we’re throwing money about but that’s not the case.  It’s similar to what it was last year and me and Steve Ward has assembled a squad that we think can get us promoted.

“We’re certainly under pressure.  Everyone expects us to get promoted this year.  If we don’t then there will be questions above my head.”

Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk  

Bearsted  v  Maidstone United
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 7^th July 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Otham Sports Club, Honey Lane, Otham, Maidstone, Kent ME15 8RG