Saturday 6th August 2016 will be a day to remember in Maidstone United’s recent history.
It will see the Stones open the new National League season with a live BT Sport clash with York City, who were relegated from League Two at the end of the 2015-16 season.
Maidstone will take their place in the National League as one of thirteen clubs who have played previously in the Football League, either in their current form or as a reformed club, and will face six others in their opening 13 matches in the first two months of the season.
Jay Saunders, who played in the former Conference National during his Gravesend & Northfleet and Margate days, is fully aware of what will face his young side.
He spoke to Kent Sports News and said “This is a good league, and it always was. I think some of the young lads will realise just what a big league it is once they have their names on the shirts, going out in front of a big crowd on TV. Three or four years ago, whoever thought that our league games would be on TV, so it shows how far we’ve come. It is a tough league, full-time clubs, ex-League clubs and it could be a difficult season. It is a very professional league.”
“It has been a hectic summer, and it took some time to really sink in” he added, referring to the National South Playoff Final victory over Ebbsfleet United.
“I don’t think anyone could imagine the change (after three promotions in four years). You look at the aims when we came back into the town, the goal was to get into Conference National, but you certainly don’t expect to do it within five years.”
“It has been great to reward the club and the owners with the time and effort everyone has put in; a lot of it is effort off the field that people generally don’t see. It has been a whirlwind couple of years and don’t forget the cup runs we’ve had it that time as well. It has happened very quickly, but would you really want it any other way?”
Supporters arriving at the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday won’t just be greeted by the new 3G pitch laid over the summer, and the prospect of a new stand at the Springfield end being built during the season, but a change in the playing squad as well.
Saunders has remained loyal to a number of the players who took the club into the highest level of non-league football, but explained “We’ve only really changed four or five of the squad, but it is still a very young side and I feel it is one that can go on to be better and better and players can have good careers at this level and above.”
“I’ve brought in some experience, the likes of Anthony Acheampong, but I think the change in the transfer window has helped as I would have had to bring in more players. If we need to make changes we now have the option to do that, and I am still looking for the right players.”
“When we were in the Ryman, we were always a very experienced team, but so much of football now is a case of having legs and getting round the park. That’s where a younger squad can help and it paid off last year and I believe the players we have are good enough to do it. We have some lads with us, where it hasn’t happened at other clubs, but we’ve given them a chance and it has paid off for them.”
One of the players who has been with Saunders since relegation into Ryman South in his first season is left-back Tom Mills.
He has noticed the changes in his time with the Stones, saying “It’s strange now, eight years here and I’ve been in the ‘oldies’ team in training today. It’s been a great ride with three promotions in four years but I’m looking forward to the start of the season. As a youngster coming into a squad, you never know what is going to happen. Me and Flish (Alex Flisher) have been here together from the days at Sittingbourne through to what will be a 4,000 capacity stadium.”
For club captain, Lee Worgan, whose penalty save from Danny Kedwell won the Playoff Final, playing the National League will be a new experience.
He explained “It’s been an excellent summer, I couldn’t have asked for more than we got. We’ve obviously enjoyed the success (of the playoff final win over Ebbsfleet), but we’ve had one eye on the preparation for this year. It was an enjoyable time, but now we are well into the thick of pre-season.”
“I was talking to my dad the other day that the only two senior leagues I haven’t played in were the Premier League and the Conference, so I’ll be able to tick one off. The Conference will be a first for me and I’m looking forward to it.”
“The transition from National South into the National League can be massive, but I think we’ll be a bit of an unknown quantity. Teams have got to try to figure us out as well, and although they may train on it, they’ve got to adapt to the 3G pitch as well.”
I asked the Stones skipper if he was looking forward to leading the side out in front of the TV cameras and he admitted “I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t. I think the fixture list is something everyone was waiting for. We’re going to be playing some very big clubs this season. But to get the first one at home, against (ex-League 2) York, and for it to be on TV is just a bonus. It’s great for us as players and the club as a whole.”
Based on last season’s figures, Maidstone’s average attendance would have seen them the eighth best supported club in the National League, and although capacity may be reduced to 2,300 during the construction of a new stand, a full house is expected for the opening fixture.
The impact of the supporters is not something that has been lost on the players, and even new signing Anthony Acheampong, who played for Ebbsfleet in the National South Playoff Final was impressed.
He mentioned “My first impression of the club was the amazing fans, the fan base at the club is massive. I hope the fans stay behind all of us, encouraging us, and that they will be our 12th man. No matter what happens, keep supporting us, because we’ll give all that we can.
Mills added: “The fans just need to keep doing what they’ve been doing; turning up every week home and away. The away fans, I remember over 200 coming down to Cornwall, singing and chanting, they’ve been brilliant. If they get behind the boys I’m sure it will be a good year.”
Jay Saunders also had a message for the fans, saying “If we get a good start, it will be a tough start, it will help, but I’ve set the boys a target of top ten. It will be very difficult, but if you look at Braintree and Dover reaching the playoffs last year as part-time sides, you’ve got to be ambitious.”
“Last year, I set the target of playoffs and we achieved it. There’s no point in just going in to try and stay up. Paul Doswell has set his Sutton boys the aim of winning the league, but if we can finish in the top ten it would be an unbelievable achievement.”
“I hope the fans are patient with the boys. Last season was strange for me, as when we lost games early on, people were saying “don’t worry, it’s going to happen”, and I’ve never had that before.”
“In Ryman, we were expected to go out and win. But I hope they are patient because this year is going to be tough. If they are then I’m sure they will get their rewards. If we are under the cosh at home, just get behind us. If we are not performing, then it’s something I will deal with, but please make plenty of noise and get behind the lads.”