I'm delighted to be given the chance to carry on, says Maidstone United boss Jay Saunders

MAIDSTONE UNITED have confirmed Jay Saunders as their manager for next season.



Saunders, 34, who has made more than 120 appearances for the club, took over the role on a caretaker bases towards the end of the 2010-11 season and was subsequently given the manager’s job on a rolling contract.

This season he had the honour of managing the Stones’ first game back in the county town when the Gallagher Stadium at James Whatman Way opened to a sell-out crowd against Brighton & Hove Albion.

“I am pleased to get that confirmation and delighted to be given the chance to carry on,” said Saunders in a statement on the club’s website www.maidstoneunited.co.uk.

“It’s especially important at this time of the season when you need to start planning and speaking to players.

“I’ve been a great season and we are right up there challenging for the championship.  The announcement will give peace of mind to the players, they know what I think about them and the majority of them are players I’ve brought in during my time as manager.

“I’ve enjoyed working with (coaches) Steve Ward and John Brook too and now we can look ahead to the future.”

The club’s co-owner Terry Casey added: “In Jay Saunders we have got one of the best young managers around.  His commitment, energy and enthusiasm for Maidstone United is first class and we wanted to reward that’s with the offer of another season with us.

“The timing of this announcement will give the whole squad a boot as they prepare for the final league games of the season.”

Meanwhile, Whitstable Town have provided near-neighbours Sittingbourne with a lifeline by agreeing a groundshare for next season if in the unlikely event that their new ground has not attained the expected FA Grading by the beginning of the season.

Within the last week and after speculation, Sittingbourne intend to play home matches at Woodstock Park at Broadoak Road from next season in a move that will save the club.

Rent and running costs have priced the Brickies out of Bourne Park and they will leave when their lease expires at the end of the season.

Whitstable Town chairman Gary Johnson said: “It would have been easy to sit by and potentially watch the demise of another Kent club and maybe save a Ryman club from relegation, however in the spirit of Kent football an agreeable deal has been arranged should this be necessary.”

Sittingbourne chairman Andy Spice added: “The move will save the club.  If we don’t move, we’ll fold because we can’t afford to be at Bourne Park. It’s just not financially viable.

Sittingbourne secretary John Pitts confirmed the FA and Ryman League are happy with the club’s move to Woodstock Park, in rural Sittingbourne.

He said: “Woodstock is an amazing option for us. They have new state-of-the-art floodlights and a new 150-seat stand.  And with the improvements we’re able to make, we’ll have it up to Ryman League standard by the start of next season.”

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

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk  

Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk