I'm trying to assemble a squad capable of getting promoted next season, says Jay Saunders

MAIDSTONE UNITED player-manager Jay Saunders says he will sit down with his squad this week as he builds a promotion winning squad to grace the new £2.6m stadium at James Whatman Way.


The Stones finished their last season in their 25-year exile in sixth-place in the Ryman League Division One South, six points adrift of the play-offs, following yesterday’s 4-2 home defeat by runners-up Bognor Regis Town.

They enjoyed a 2-0 lead at the break, courtesy of a brace from striker Shaun Welford, who finished a prolific campaign on 32 goals, but Bognor Regis Town adapted to the horrendous wet and bitterly cold conditions by scoring four second half goals to ensure they potentially have home advantage in the play-offs.

But whilst Maidstone United’s fate was sealed following their disappointing 3-2 away defeat to Walton Casuals the previous weekend, yesterday’s game was a celebration of their final game in exile and they will welcome Brighton & Hove Albion on their emotional homecoming on Saturday, 14 July 2012.

Fans queued up in the rain to purchase tickets against the Seagulls during the first half of yesterday’s game and Saunders says he will build a team that will challenge for promotion next season on the club’s 3G pitch.

Saunders, 33, said: “When we were pushing for play-off’s, I didn’t think it was fair to speak to some and not others so I’ll speak to them this week.

“There’s still a couple I haven’t made my mind up on.  There’s some tough decisions I’m sure that people won’t agree with.

“I want to get promoted next year so I’m trying to assemble a squad capable of doing that.”

Saunders, who ended yesterday’s game caked in mud, said that he has enjoyed his first full season in charge of the club and wants to play a key role on the pitch next season.

He added:  “It’s been a learning curve.  It takes a lot of your time than I expected.  I’ve learnt a lot from it.  I’ve learnt a lot about different people, different things,

“To be honest I’ve been frustrated this season with my fitness.  I think the times I’ve played I can still do it at this level.  I felt good for 60-70 minutes yesterday, but again we needed to put on another forward so it’s a case of resting.

“If I get over those niggles - I’ve never had injuries throughout my career and all of a sudden you get one.  As you get older they come back in a different area so it’s been frustrating for me to be honest.

“I would have liked to get involved a bit more, we’ll see.  If we’ve got players who are capable of doing a better job, then so be it. As long as we’re winning games it doesn’t matter if I play or not.”

Saunders has already been contacted by players with next season in mind, one that should be a successful one for the club in their home town.

He revealed: “There was a couple of players I tried to get last season, they are now ringing me and saying ‘how’s the ground going’?

“They’re interested (in signing for us), so I’m sure there will be a lot of players’ interested, but for me it’s a big club. It doesn’t matter if we’re playing here (at Sittingbourne) for another season, or at home. It should be a club people want to play for.”

Meanwhile, Maidstone United’s home FA Cup ties will be played at Chatham Town next season, as the competition doesn’t allow for artificial pitches to be used.

Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.com