Maidstone United owners Oliver Ash and Terry Casey have called upon a club legend to salvage the clubs National League hopes.

Almost three decades after he guided the Club to the “Football Conference” title, John Still has been appointed as Stones Head of Football on an 18-month deal, as the legend of the Non-League game comes out of retirement as the club look to claw back the deficit that sees them six points adrift of safety.

For caretaker bosses Tristian Lewis and Simon Walton, Lewis left the club on Tuesday, whilst Walton will continue under Still and new Head Coach, Hakan Hayrettin, as in a role of player coach.

Whilst Still had been in retirement as Barnet head of football since Christmas, Hayrettin arrives at the Gallagher after being in charge of National League basement outfit Braintree Town since October, and ironically in the week after the Essex side’s best win of the season – a 4-0 win against Still’s Barnet!  Still and Hayrettin have worked together at Luton Town where they won the Conference title in 2014 – one of three clubs that the new Stones boss has won the top prize in Non- League football.

Club chief executive Bill Williams is quoted on the official club website as saying, “I am absolutely delighted John has agreed to join us.  He’s one of the best managers to ever grace the non-league game and his record speaks for itself.

“For those who followed the Stones in the 80s, John’s place in our club’s history is assured and now a new generation of our supporters will get to see the enthusiasm, passion and skill this man has for the game.”