It was clear Chris Smalling had the potential to play at a much higher level, says proud Lloyd Hume

THREE former Maidstone United personalities spoke about their pride after they watched defender Chris Smalling make his England debut on Friday night, writes Stephen McCartney.


Smalling, 21, made an assured England debut at right-back during the 3-0 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Bulgaria in a hostile Sofia.

The former Maidstone United defender told BBC Sport that he is “living the dream,” as he has proved that you can go from a Kent non-league club and swiftly progress into the Premier League with Fulham, where he spent only 18 months, before sealing a reported £7m move to England’s biggest and most successful club, Manchester United, in July 2010.

And playing for Sir Alex Ferguson and Fabio Capello has capped it off for Kent’s most successful football export.

He told BBC Sport: “My first month or so couldn’t have gone any better, so hopefully this season can carry on like this.  I’m really enjoying my football.   It’s gone like a dream.”

Former Maidstone United joint-managers, Lloyd Hume and Alan Walker, saw the defender’s potential, as they called him up into the first team squad.

“I was delighted to see Chris starting but not at all surprised,” said Hume, who plays for Strood based Kent Invicta League side Bly Spartans nowadays.

“The way he has adapted to the big stage at Manchester United and his performances this season meant it was inevitable he was going to go on and play for his country.”

Hume recalled: “Only four years ago I played Chris at right back at Horsham for the first time.  He was, as you can guess, outstanding that day and we joked perhaps that was his best position. 

“Whilst his talent and attitude was unquestionable, I’d be lying at that stage I thought he would be playing for his country in the same position just four years later, although it was clear he had that potential to go and play at a higher level.

“I have seen over my years in non-league football a lot of players with huge potential but few go on to fulfil it.  Chris has done that and he deserves full credit.

“I must admit every time I see him play and progress it makes me smile.  I hope he continues to achieve in football and who knows one day he might be wearing the arm band for his country, certainly a long way from Maidstone United but I’m sure he will not forget where it all started for him.  Good luck to him.”

Walker, a coach for the Kent County Football Association added, “He has a great attitude and is an unbelievable athlete.  He was very quiet but our dressing room at the time was full of experienced players.

“He actually played right-back for us a few times.  He was a quick learner, a top lad and I’m delighted for him.”

Former Maidstone United chairman, Paul Bowden-Brown, who is now the managing director at Kent Invicta League club Ashford United, paid tribute to the men that nurtured such a talent, Peter Nott, who is now the manager at Ryman League Division One South Whitstable Town.

Mr Bowden-Brown said: “Throughout his time playing in the youth system at Maidstone United Chris Smalling showed that he was something special but was always seen as a team player so when the first team management told me they were picking him to play for the first team I was not surprised and he did not let them down. 

“The rest of his rise is history and I am a very proud ex-Chairman when I read about his raise in fame, especially being called up to represent his country at senior level.

“I must finish with a thank you to Peter Nott, who with others in the clubs youth set up nurtured this young man so others could see the quality of the player.”

It was a double celebration for the Stones this weekend, as Jay Saunders’ side humiliated Kent League side Corinthian 9-0 away from home in the FA Cup Preliminary Round today.  Target-man, Shaun Welford, 32, scored five of the goals and is an obvious contender for Player-of-the-Round.

Smalling’s success story proves to Premier League and Football League club’s that there is raw talent in the lower league’s. 

The Football Association must ensure that these clubs – the lifeblood of the game – are rewarded and a compensation fee of at least £10,000 is handed to non-league club’s even if a non-contracted player is snapped up by a professional outfit – an reward for the time and effort put in by mainly volunteers to ensure players like Smalling, who signed a new five-year deal at Old Trafford in July, can fulfil and live their dream.

Hume, Walker and Bowden-Brown were talking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk earlier today.