We know the 3G pitch is the future of football, says Maidstone United co-owner Terry Casey

Brighton, in their first pre-season friendly, are expected to bring a strong squad to the Gallagher Stadium, possibly including summer signings Tomasz Kucszak (from Manchester United) and former England full-back Wayne Bridge.

Maidstone United’s co-owner, Terry Casey, who was speaking at last night’s training session, the last one before the big day said:  “I’m delighted to be here tonight and see how much has been done.  This morning I was wondering whether we would get it ready, but tonight is going very well so far. 
We’re testing the tools and the staff in the clubhouse, and once they are tested out, we’ll be ready for Saturday.”

He admitted though, “There will be work to be done next week, but nothing that will stop us playing the game on Saturday.  Nothing either that will stop the game next Tuesday.  We’ve tested the floodlights on Wednesday night and we knew we’d paid a lot for them, they are very high specification floodlights, and we’re looking forward to them being switched on for Dagenham & Redbridge.”

Casey, a lifelong supporter of the club, added: “It will be emotional for a lot of us.  We’ve got to remember that a lot of people haven’t made it to this day; my dad took me to my first game, way, way back in the 50’s, he’s no longer with us, and many, many others like Elvis, who supported us through thick and thin, haven’t made it.  We’re going to have a tribute to those people on Saturday, but it is emotional on a lot of levels for a lot of people.”

Maidstone boss, Jay Saunders, was also looking forward to the game and even though he had just taken a training session in the midst of a downpour, took time out to enthuse about the new 3G playing surface installed. 

He said: “I’m looking forward to it now.  There’s been so much talk about this game in the build-up to it, now it’s here I can’t wait to get going on Saturday now.

“The pitch is lovely.  Now and then, when there is a heavy downpour and it’s not being used you might get the odd puddle, but within about 10 minutes it has gone.  So tonight a lot of games may have been in doubt with these conditions, even training called off, but it just shows you the benefit of having it.

“Hopefully we’ve got the players to suit a passing game, we’ve got players to score goals.  Last season I thought we were capable of scoring goals every game, but lacked a bit at the back.  We should be better this year with the players we’ve signed, but we’ve got players like Ben Davisson, Michael Phillips, Alex Flisher who want to get on the ball and on this surface you’ve got to play.”

Mr Casey was also positive about the benefits of the synthetic pitch, and had some surprising news for Maidstone supporters looking forward to Cup football returning to the town, stating: “We know the 3G pitch is the future of football.  The surface will rarely get a postponement, so hopefully no more lucrative Saturday’s being switched to a rainy Tuesday in November or February. 

“The irony is that CSKA Moscow played Real Madrid on the same surface in the Champions League, but Basingstoke couldn’t play Dorchester in Conference South.  It’s a crazy situation, but the good news is today (Thursday), that the FA have told us we can play our home FA Cup games on this surface.  We’ve got a home tie in the first round this year and it will be here at the Gallagher Stadium. 
Wonderful news, it came through tonight.”

Saunders added “It’s nice to see that common sense has shone through. 
It was crazy to think that we might have played elsewhere when we have this facility, but it’s fantastic that we’ll have the opportunity to play our games here.”

Looking back on the past 24 years in exile, and the hopes and dreams that had been dashed so often, Mr Casey admitted “It was difficult in the early days that we had very little support from the statutory authorities, they really didn’t come in and help us at all.  We learned from an early stage that it would be Oliver (Ash), Bill (Williams), with his immense effort, and I who would have to get it through the early days.  Once people realised that we were getting the stadium built, since then the local businesses have been absolutely fantastic; wonderful in the way they’ve been advertising.

“We’ve got the capacity to expand and we are ambitious, but we are looking to give this football club, and the people of Maidstone for generations to come, a football team.  We don’t want the indignities that we have suffered over the past 20 years, it shouldn’t ever happen again to Maidstone United.”

Saunders also admitted he’d had his doubts during his time at the club, saying “When I first came here under Walks (Alan Walker) and Lloyd (Hume), they were saying about the new stadium that would be built and, after many years at Margate hearing that sort of talk, I was sceptical. 

“But when I met Bill and Terry again, when Andy Ford was manager, I still thought OK, I’ve been around a long time and heard a lot of talk, but to actually see it happen is unbelievable in such a short time. 

“Even a month ago, when I met Tim and Ade (Olorunda) down here, the clubhouse was just a shell compared to what it is now, it is just incredible.  It’s full credit to everyone involved in the club.

When asked how close he was to knowing his starting eleven for Saturday, Saunders promptly said “No.  I sat down earlier and thought I’d try to shape the team, but I’d like to show a little loyalty to the ones who were here last year.  Don’t get me wrong, it was easier signing players this year once they had seen the stadium.  But there were lads who came here last year, dropped down leagues, so I’d like to show a little loyalty to them, but to involve the new boys as well, so I’ll have a think tomorrow with Wardy and Brooky and see how we go.”

“Last week (the 5-1 win over Bearsted) wasn’t easy, as normally you have a lot of triallists and you think you want to see them again, or give excuses, but no-one let themselves down.  Draycs (Ian Draycott) scored three great goals, but it wasn’t a real surprise to me, I knew he could do it.  But we’ll try to give everyone a good run-out as we’re still early in pre-season and don’t want to give anyone any problems.

“My phone has been non-stop this week.  I’ll be here at half-six for Radio Kent, but it is good, I’m enjoying it.  It has been a privilege for me to be involved in this and revelling in every minute in it.  I was saying earlier when the TV cameras were here, that I used to go up to London Road as a kid, up to Dartford, and I never thought all these years later that I’d be here as manager as the team come back into Maidstone.”

“We want everyone to enjoy it.  We want to entertain everyone.  Hopefully they’ll like what they see and we can keep a few of those supporters coming back it will be a big bonus.”

Finally, Mr Casey said “We’ve got so many local community teams who use this facility, and will play their matches on here, and we’ve so many footballers who have taken a dip in money to come and play here because the facilities are so good. 

“We anticipate the crowds will be as good as any crowds in this league or even the Ryman Premier, so young semi-pro footballers want to play here, which is wonderful.”

Article written by Paul Parkinson.

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

Maidstone United  v  Brighton & Hove Albion
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 14^th July 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at The Gallagher Stadium, James Whatman Way, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1LQ