We want to put in a good performance for our homecoming, says Maidstone United boss Jay Saunders

MAIDSTONE UNITED player-manager Jay Saunders says he is buzzing about the prospect of the club’s emotional homecoming on Saturday.



The Stones open their £2.6m new stadium at James Whatman Way when Championship outfit Brighton & Hove Albion are the first visitors to play on the £600,000 3G pitch.

It will be 8,919 days since senior football was last played in Maidstone, when the Stones faced Stafford Rangers at London Road on 23 April 1988.

The Stones, who will play their FA Cup ties at Chatham Town this season as 3G pitches are not allowed in the competition, opened their pre-season campaign with a 5-1 win over their Kent Invicta League neighbours Bearsted on Saturday.

Alex Waugh – who previously played for MALGO before signing for Margate, gave the Stones a first half-lead, before summer signing, former Lewes striker, Ian Draycott scored a second half hat-trick and Ryan Croucher also got on the scoresheet.

Former Maidstone Untied player Steve Elliott, opened his account for the season for Bearsted.

Saunders, who admitted before the game that he had no input in his side’s 12-match pre-season campaign, said: “I thought it wasn’t ideal as some of the lads have only had one week’s worth of training, it was a little bit early, but it was pleasing to get a win.

“We tried to mix the teams up so that all of the trialists weren’t in together, as it gives you a better idea of the level they are at compared to the players we’ve got signed.

“I thought first half we looked solid, Wardy (new player-assistantmanager Steve Ward) and Graeme (Andrews) looked sharp, Ryan Cooper and Lewis Mingle were solid, Josh James showed good touches, so I was pleased with the first half.”

Reflecting on the second half, Saunders added: “I thought we took ten minutes to get into things, some people looked a bit rusty, but as the game went on people looked a bit more comfortable.

“Nicky Humphrey and 17-year-old Joe Reeves at right-back did well, Ryan Croucher in midfield did well on the ball and linked with Micky Phillips and Ian Draycott up front has had some great touches and banged in three goals.  I was pleased with both halves.”

Saunders has signed goalkeeper Deren Ibrahim on a dual-registration from Blue Square Bet Premier side Dartford – but he gave Charlie Mitten and trialist Scott Chalmers-Stevens a run-out against Bearsted.

“Charlie was obviously with us last season, he’s a great keeper, but he’s been out a long time,” said Saunders.

“He’s done his rehab and some people had told him to pack in playing, so to be back playing he’s done well and showed that he’s put the hard work in so we’ve said to Charlie to see how he goes.

“But Scott had rung me to come along to training and he’s another good goalkeeper who has played at good levels. 

“They both know the situation. We’ve got plenty of games now to have a look and we’ll see where we go.

“We’ve got to sort the goalkeeper situation out, but quite a few players have impressed me and I want to have another look at them.

“There’s definitely space for two, possibly three in there, but I’ll assess that over the next few weeks.”

Saunders highlighted the fact that he will play a strong squad against Gus Poyet’s Seagulls on Saturday – a club who know all about the problems that groundsharing can have.

He said: “I will settle the squad down.  It’s a big occasion, so I’ll give the ones who have signed the chance on an occasion like that.

“No disrespect to the trialists, but this is a big day and I’d like to work with a smaller squad.

“I’ll be speaking to some of the boys, but they’ve made my job hard.  No-one had a bad game, so I’ve got some tough decisions to make.

“We’ll work on our shape this week. We need more fitness, some need a bit more sharpness.”

Saunders added: “When you think today that we had Paul Booth, Shaun Welford, Tom Mills, Ben Davisson, Alex Flisher, Deren Ibrahim not involved because we felt they needed an extra (training) session, it shows you how much strength in depth we’ve got this year.

“We need to get people used to how we want to play this year.”

When asked about the homecoming match, Saunders admitted: “I’m excited, but I know it’s strange to say, but I haven’t given it much thought so far.

“When you’ve got games like Bearsted, you concentrate on that, but I’m sure this week it will start to kick in.

“When you’re down at the ground it gives you such a buzz just to go training, so to have a facility like that, it’s great to go in and work there.

“I’m sure when we are in this week, we’ll be looking round thinking there will be 2,000+ in there and it’s going to be a great day.”

Saunders added: “The ground is amazing. I had a look round the changing rooms last week and compared with what we’ve had over the last few years, it really is amazing.

“To be back in Maidstone is the biggest bonus and to have the facilities on top of that is just another massive bonus.

“It still just seems quite real at the moment. For years we’ve had all the talk and now it’s all happening and it’s a great thing that Terry (Casey), Oliver (Ash) and Bill (Williams) and the whole team have done.

“Recently we’ve been having 28 players in for Tuesday training, last Thursday there were 37.

“People are just turning up out of the blue to be part of it.  Last year I was having to convince players to come here and it was hard so I’ll show loyalty to those who were with us last year, but everyone will get a good run out against Brighton.

“We want to put in a good performance because if the 2,200 come, we want to keep them coming back, so you never know, if we put in a good performance we might pick up a few new supporters.”

One common theme from the players who have been brought into the club are the number who live within a few miles of the town.

Saunders himself, Steve Ward, Paul Booth, Ian Draycott, Graeme Andrews, Danny Lye, Alex Waugh, Michael Phillips and Alex Flisher being just a few.

Saunders explained: “I like that. No disrespect to the lads who have travelled down from London, but it can be harder for them to be committed as local guys who can get to training earlier.

“But I know from walking around Maidstone, the number of people who have come up to me to talk about the club, so for them it’s a great feeling to be involved with the club.

“We’ve had a few Soccer Elite boys come against Bearsted, some from the under 18s, so it’s good to have local players.”

Club secretary, Darren Lovell, revealed some of the work that still has to be carried out before the big day, saying that he hoped it wouldn’t be a Ground Force situation where the final nails are being hammered in as the gates opened at one o’clock on Saturday afternoon.

He said: “It will be exciting for everyone, but there is still a lot to do. The floodlights have to be fully tested, a buzzer put in the referee’s room, evacuation plans finalised.

“Inevitably there will be the odd glitch on the day, but hopefully these will be kept to a minimum and everyone will have an enjoyable, successful day.

“I’m so excited for the day and so much credit has to go to all of the volunteers working so hard behind the scenes.”

Saturday’s game is SOLD-OUT.

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