Jay Saunders will go down in the history books as the man who took Maidstone United back to the top flight of Non-League football.

He has guided the Kent side to three promotions in four seasons following Saturday’s dramatic National League South Play-Off Final win against Ebbsfleet United.

The Stones were 1-2 behind – two Danny Kedwell penalties against a goal from Bobby-Joe Taylor – going into stoppage time before a dramatic equaliser from Dumebi Dumaka set up a penalty shoot-out before keeper Lee Worgan was the hero saving twice in a 4-3 Maidstone win.

After an incredible afternoon, we spoke to Saunders and asked him if his side’s acheivements had sunk in at all.

He told us, “It has now. I had to take myself aside for ten to fifteen minutes just to get my head around it – I couldn’t understand what had gone on!”

“We were two minutes away from losing the game and then we weren’t and then we’d won it all in the space of a few crazy minutes – it really is a strange feeling, but one that I’m very proud of.”

“I was quite relaxed during the game – the only thing that disappointed me was the way we’d conceded the two goals. I thoroughly enjoyed the day – when we spoke before the game I said to you that I believed that there was no pressure on us and I genuinely felt that way.”

“Even when it went to penalties, I said to the boys whatever happens you’ve done yourselves proud and you’re a credit to the club and the supporters that are here and those who aren’t.”

“And then they went that step further and I’m genuinely delighted for them! I enjoyed the day, I really did though it was a bit surreal and as I sat on the bench and said to Nicky (Southall) that it felt funny as I used to run about on the this pitch and now I’m sitting here as manager all these years later. It was a weird feeling…”

“First twenty five minutes we had a game plan in which I thought we could hurt them down the right hand side which we worked on in training and it was working. Problem was that we stopped doing it a bit before half time and then we went again!”

“I’ll have to see the first half penalty again, but I really don’t see it as a penalty – I thought that the official was very eager to give it, but to give the boys credit they responded very well.”

“I said to them at half time that we wanted to get Bobby (Bobby-Joe Taylor) out wide and Flish (Alex Flisher) one on one on the full back – which we did and Bobby scored – we did that and as it went on, I really thought it would go the distance and that it had penalties written all over it.”

“The second penalty came out of nothing and I genuinely thought that it was game over – done and dusted! And then the chaos at the end…”

The Stones adjusted their tactics at the break and we asked Saunders to explain what happened.

“We literally said to Bobby at half time to isolate the full back – look I’ve been Bobby’s biggest critic when it comes to the final third and his final ball… and then he goes and scores a terrific goal like that, and so he’s certainly told me hasn’t he!”

Smiling, the Stones boss added, “It really was a great finish to be fair, but then for the twenty minutes after we scored I thought we struggled to get out of our half and we were under a lot of pressure.”

“But and I know this is going to sound funny considering that we conceded two goals, I never really thought that they hurt us. I look over the 90 minutes and thought that we should have won the game 1-0 as I didn’t think the first one was a penalty and apart from that I didn’t think that they really tested Lee Worgan.”

“That said, I was disappointed that we didn’t test their keeper more as a lot of balls were dropping in and around their area and I don’t think that we gambled on enough; their keeper made a couple of good saves early on, but I don’t think we tested him enough.”

“Flish had a header in the extra time but we didn’t test him enough. When you come to Stonebridge Road with the players that they’ve got, I knew that they’d have loads of possession and for twenty minutes second half they have loads of it, but we kept our shape and frustrated them and I always thought that if we did that we’d get a chance – I just wished it would have been a bit sooner!” the Stones boss admitted smiling.

Staring defeat in the face, we wondered if Saunders had thought of what he was going to say to rally his troops.

“If we’d have lost the game, I’d have just said to the boys that they’d been unlucky,” he said.

“I’d given my tactics board to the kit man as I was ready to go and congratulate Darryl as I knew if they’d won it would be chaos and then Dee’s (Dumebi Dumaka) come up with that and the supporters have sucked the ball into the net!”

“It was dropping in and around the box and I was thinking “someone please just hit the thing!” and lucky enough it flew in. And I must admit that when that went in, I felt it was going to be our day.”

Looking ahead, Saunders admitted there were a “few” thing to do over the coming weeks when he admitted, “I have no Saturday pre-season friendlies lined up; I missed out on two players this week because I didn’t know what League we were going to be in and I haven’t even spoken to the Chairman yet what we’re going to do about training and I’m away with the Academy for four days – I have no idea what I’m going to do yet, but I’m going to enjoy the moment!”

“I know that we’re going to work hard behind the scenes – myself, Nick and Coylie (assistant boss Nicky Southall and Coach Jamie Coyle) – we’ll work hard and we’ll get the Chairman’s full support.”

“I think a few weeks ago, if you’d have asked Oliver (Ash) and Terry (Casey), they’d have said that it was a bit too soon! In all fairness though, I spoke to Terry in the week and he said that whatever happens we’ll make it work and now there’s some big decisions to make. We’ll have some meetings and I can’t wait – I really can’t wait.”

He then paid tribute to the club hierarchy, saying, “I’m disappointed that Oliver was in France and couldn’t be here.  I’m disappointed too that Bill Williams couldn’t be here as he gave me the job.”

“He wished me good luck before the game and Bill to be fair saw something in me and recommended me to Oliver and Terry. I got the job and I’m delighted I’ve been able to repay Bill’s faith.”

“He’s been great for me and whenever I’ve needed someone to go and speak to he’s always been there for me – he’s been there and done it and he’s been there to go and talk to.”

“Oliver and Terry are great to work for – whenever I’ve wanted to do something they’ve always backed me and they are a pleasure to work for! I’m just over the moon that I’ve been able to reward them…”

Summing up, the Stones boss added, “That’s three promotions in four years since the club has come back to Maidstone which isn’t bad going…  I’m a bit speechless and if honest it hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I’m sure it will do, maybe not until I’m on the Academy trip to Spain, but I’m sure it will do…”