The renaissance at Maidstone United this season has seen the fans pouring through the turnstiles and the side pushing for promotion.

Back at the county town after decades away from their spiritual home, Maidstone United have proved that being back within touching distance of the fans was a popular move.

The New Year’s Day clash with local rivals Sittingbourne in the Ryman League Division One South fixture at the Gallagher Stadium brought out an unprecedented 2,291 fans with kick off having to be delayed by fifteen minutes to pack them all into the new purpose built ground.

That surpassed the opening fixture at the ground with 2,226 having watched on as Gus Poyet’s Brighton & Hove Albion side came for the pre-season friendly back in July.

It was also the highest crowd for a regular-season Ryman League fixture since 2,545 watched Maidstone’s game at Dover Athletic on December 27th, 2008, although 2,411 turned out for the Premier Division play-off final between Tonbridge Angels and Lowestoft Town in 2011.

The gate was also the highest in Kent for the day with 2,242 turning out for the all Kent clash between Ebbsfleet United and Dartford at Stonebridge Road.

It’s not just off the pitch though that things have been going so well for Maidstone United with Jay Saunders’ side recording yet another win as Ian Draycott’s brace lead them to a 2-1 win that sees them second in the table behind Dulwich Hamlet, two points behind with two games in hand.

One thing that hasn’t hampered Maidstone United this season is the weather. Whilst other non league clubs have been forced to call off games due to frozen or waterlogged pitches, the Stones have been able to play in all conditions thanks to their 3G surface.

In the modern game, the ability to guarantee football week in, week out is proving to be popular with fans who can travel to games without fear of a last minute postponement.

It also allows the club to manage their finances better and budget for games being on and with the fans flocking to watch the attractive football being played, it also allows manager Jay Saunders the freedom to attract some of the local talent from Kent.

After so many years in the football wilderness, who would bet against Maidstone United regaining their Football League status within the next five to ten years?