History

Maidstone United Football Club was founded in 1897. Following the demise of the Football League side in 1992, the club was reborn as Maidstone Invicta and joined the Kent County League Division Four for the 1993/94 season. They won the title at the first attempt and also picked up the West Kent Challenge Shield and the Tunbridge Wells Charity Cup.

The Stones were crowned Kent League champions in 2006 for the second time and secured the league and cup double, with the title being won on the last day of the season with a resounding 4-1 win away to Sevenoaks Town. The Kent League Cup was also won again with a 4-1 hammering of VCD Athletic at Folkestone Invicta’s Cheriton Road ground. Promotion to Ryman League Division One South was confirmed at the end of the season.

Construction work started during the 2011/12 season. Although the Stones missed out on the play-offs at the end of that campaign, the £2.6 million Gallagher Stadium was completed and 2,226 watched the first match between Maidstone and Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday 14 July.

After finishing third in the league in 2015/16, the Stones faced Ebbsfleet United in the Promotion Final at Stonebridge Road. The match finished 2-2 after extra time and Maidstone won the resulting penalty shoot-out 4-3 to win promotion to the Vanarama National League.

The Stones’ three-year stay in the National League came to an end in April 2019 but a return to non-league’s top flight was secured in May 2022 when the Stones were crowned National League South champions in front of a capacity crowd – capping what had been a fantastic season post-Covid. That stay was to last just one season. Back in the National League South last term, the Stones had a magical FA Cup run that saw them reach the Fifth Round after beating the likes of Barrow, Stevenage and eventual Championship winners, Ipswich Town before losing to Coventry City.

Form

After an opening day victory against St Albans City, the Stones had a six-game winless run which included a 5-1 defeat at home to Chelmsford City last month. Since then, they’ve turned their fortunes around and come into Saturday’s match off the back of four matches unbeaten.

Last time out, they booked their place in the Fourth Round Qualifying of the FA Cup, with a 1-0 win away at Herne Bay. Recent results in the National League South saw them earn all three points at home to Enfield Town and share the points more recently against Chesham United in a 2-2 draw.

Last Six
28/09 – Herne Bay (A) – Won 0-1 (Emirates FA Cup)
21/09 – Chesham United (H) – Drew 2-2
14/09 – Hampton & Richmond Borough (H) – Won 2-1 (Emirates FA Cup)
07/09 – Enfield Town (A) – Won 1-4
03/09 – Chelmsford City (H) – Lost 1-5
31/08 – Boreham Wood (A) – Drew 1-1

The Gaffer

George Elokobi has been in charge of Maidstone United since January 2023 when he was appointed as Caretaker Manager. After a spell in the caretaker role, he was entrusted to lead the team on a permanent basis.

Elokobi is a former professional footballer who played as a defender for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest and Colchester United to name a few. He made over 300 career appearances in the professional game.

Elokobi finished his career at Maidstone after joining the club in 2019 and captaining the side for three seasons before retirement. He then worked at the club’s football academy for three years, coaching and inspiring the next generation, all while gaining his Football Association coaching qualifications before taking over as First-Team Manager.

Elekobi was the man in charge last season where he lead the Stones on their best-ever FA Cup run, reaching the 5th Round before losing to Championship side, Coventry City.

The Captain

Sam Corne was announced as club captain of Maidstone United for the 2024/25 season.

Corne’s senior career started with Welling United in 2013 and after four seasons at Park View Road, he signed for Braintree Town and worked under former Stones boss Hakan Hayrettin.

During his time at Welling, he got an England C call-up and attracted interest from league clubs.

Prior to signing at the Gallagher, he played for Greenwich Borough and Ashford United – scoring 21 goals in 40 games for the Nuts & Bolts – while focusing on his football coaching qualifications.

‘Corney’ made his Maidstone United debut on the opening day of the 2019/20 season and has clocked up more than 100 appearances since. He was a key figure in the club’s 2021/22 championship-winning season. He became a hero during the Stones’ remarkable FA Cup campaign where he scored the winner at Portman Road against Ipswich Town.

Key Player

Ben Brookes joined the Stones from Chelmsford City this summer and earned their Player of the Month award for August after a good start to the campaign with his new club.

The 23-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, arrives at the Gallagher after 18-months with fellow National League South side Chelmsford City. He played 50 games last season as the Clarets finished second in the division, losing out to eventual promotion-winners Braintree Town in the semi-finals.

Prior to his arrival at the Melbourne Community Stadium, he played for Hashtag United, Great Wakering Rovers and Basildon United.

As a youngster, he played for his boyhood club West Ham, as well as Chelsea.