Kentish Football 
There's nothing to be negative about, says Hume
Wednesday 28th October 2009
MAIDSTONE UNITED’S disgruntled joint-manager, Lloyd Hume says he wants the club’s supporters to rekindle their love affair with his players, writes Stephen McCartney.
The in-form Stones travel to struggling Bognor Regis Town in the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy on Saturday, and Hume, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, says he isn’t happy with a section of the club’s support.
Only 152 people witnessed the Stones win in the last round - Peter Hawkins’ header seeing off Waltham Forest in a replay at Homelands on a Tuesday night - as hardcore supporters cheered on the youth side in a FA Youth Cup win at Lewes on the same night.
And Hume said, “To be honest, I’m very surprised of the negativity around the club in terms of supporters.
“When you look at our last 12 games we’ve only been beaten twice and one was by Woking, so in terms of our form we look very, very strong at the moment, even though we’ve got a thin squad and having to use the youngsters as well.
“I got a phone call from someone today, a supporter who rang me and told me what was going on (the fans’ forum) and I’m quite surprised by it but I don’t go on it myself. I still refuse to go on there myself but I understand there’s some negative comments from people and I can’t understand why.
“In the last 12 fixtures we have only been beaten twice, which I think is very positive.”
Supporters should be positive as they travel to Nyewood Lane sitting in seventh place in the Ryman Premier League, as goals from James Pinnock and the on-loan Matthew Wright helped beat Ashford Town (Middlesex) last Saturday.
The Short Lane outfit were ruing the loss of their manager Mark Butler, 33, who was unveiled as Margate’s new manager on the eve of the Stones’ visit.
Hume, meanwhile, was pleased that his injury hit side came away from Stanwell with three points - and a clean sheet - in the bag.
He said: “It was a good performance. Whether they’re managerless or not, it was the same team as they had the week before, they haven’t lost any players yet.
“It’s a difficult place to go and get something, so I was delighted with the performance and delighted with the fact that we were very light in terms of first team players, but we still managed to keep a clean sheet and win by two goals.”
Despite Bognor Regis propping up the Ryman Premier League table with a record of just 6 points from 12 games, Hume warns that he expects a tough Trophy tie.
“We went down there a few weeks ago and they were a tough side and I know when they played Tonbridge, (the Angels) were lucky to come out 2-0 winners,” he recalled.
“I spoke to someone at Billericay and they said they were very solid.
“I’ve said all along, having watched them play, after seeing them play against us myself, I generally don’t think they’ll finish in the bottom four at the end of the season.
“It will be a tough encounter, we have to prepare right for and if we get the lads to perform the Right way, we’ll get the right result on the day.”
With £3,000 up for grabs for the winner in prize money from the Football Association, Hume wants to continue their FA Trophy campaign for as long as he can.
“It’s welcome in line with supporters, in line of the chairman but more importantly it’s about winning games,” he said. “I say all the time winning is a good habit to have.”
Stones go into the game without the services of Roland Edge, Ashley Ulph, Tom Parkinson and Meshach Nugent and Hume added, “There’s some big players there missing, especially when you think we’ve only got 13-14 first team players.”
Bognor Regis Town v Maidstone United
FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 31st October 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Nyewood Lane, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 2TY
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