23rd November 2006. 9.00pm
TIESSE SIGNS STONES' CONTRACT
Following the game against Cray Wanderers, Alex Tiesse committed himself to Maidstone United when he signed a contract with the club. Tiesse who has also played at Bromley and Lewes this season has made an immediate impact at Maidstone and has scored in each of the last four games.
Manager Lloyd Hume was delighted with obtaining the Ivory Coast born striker's signature. "Alex has come into the side and he's been an absolute delight to have. When he plays football he's really got that thing that lights the whole team up. He lights the fans up and on the pitch he's got the ability that other players in our team haven't got. More importantly, he works hard for the team and the reason we've signed him is because he works hard for the team, gives a great amout of benefit to the team and gives us something that no one else does."
DOVER ON SATURDAY - AVOID DELAYS BY ARRIVING EARLY
A crowd of between 700 and 800 is expected at Bourne Park on Saturday for the visit of Dover Athletic in a keenly anticipated Kent Derby in Ryman League Division 1 South.
However, this week, major road works began on the entrance to the Euro Link Industrial Estate which will last for at least five weeks. Regular visitors to Bourne Park will know that there is only one road in and out of the industrial estate and that because of the location of the newly installed temporary traffic lights, it is very likely that traffic queues will build up in the area and will tail out of the industrial estate and towards the town itself.
For those supporters who normally arrive at Stones matches from 2-30 pm until kick off time, the club strongly advise that on this particular occasion that supporters should consider beginning their journey about half an hour earlier than normal, so as to avoid any possibility of crowd congestion at the turnstiles in the period immediately before kick off.
Supporters should note that extra turnstiles will be opened for this game (next to the season ticket and official pass gate) and that there will hopefully be some stewards from Dover Athletic present to help with any congestion or later arrivals in the turnstile areas.
18th November 2006. 10.30am
Statement from Jimmy Strouts following his departure
this week:
In response to the press statement released (Thursday
17th November), I just want to say that since Tuesday when
I was informed of the club’s decision it has not been
the easiest thing to accept, especially after playing that
evening. Suffering two injuries early on in the season has
not helped my cause and although I am over them now Tuesday’s
news was still a real shock. But unfortunately the axe had
to be swung because the club needs money, although I am not
sure my weekly wage would even pay for a brickies one day
wage! (contrary to popular belief).
I would just like to say thank you to the club for giving
me the opportunity to play and coach at MUFC over the last
three years, it’s been a bit of journey. I was hoping
to play out my career at Maidstone United, helping Lloyd and
Alan in some capacity, and I am hoping that I did that, and
after receiving numerous messages of thanks and good luck,
I am sitting back thinking about the decision made, and the
fact that this “young whipper snapper” definitely
has one or two seasons more left in him!.
On the record I would just like to say that Lloyd and Alan
are performing miracles under trying circumstances, knowing
that they want to build for the future made this decision
very difficult for them but I know they and the players want
MUFC to do well, it is a huge club. This in mind you have
to make commitments on and off the field which are very demanding
on players and staff. These sacrifices are what makes this
club grow and you need to be professional about it, I just
hope my professionalism will not be missed.
Just a few words before I leave ….
I would like to thank the fans; they have always been behind
the team 100%. The fan base has always inspired the team and
I have no doubt that without them MUFC would not have had
the success it has had to date, thank you, may long it continue.
The background staff, chairman, director’s, secretaries,
I hope all the sacrifices work out and you get your stadium,
I don’t agree or care to understand some of your methods
but I do hope you get what the club, fans, players and management
really deserves.
And finally not forgetting the players (they are like the
dirty dozen and the magnificent seven all rolled into one)
and the “Fantastic Four”; Walks, Lloydy, Tim and
big Pete, plus the “Dynamic Duo” Mal and Scruffy,
when they turn up!
What a palaver, get in! All the best boys - see you soon and
the greatest of memories.
You never know I may get to play at the new stadium yet …
just not for Maidstone!
16th November 2006. 3.30pm
We go into Saturday's game at Leatherhead totally
expecting to win and to pick up 3 more points. Sadly, we'll
still be without our main striker Lynden Rowland. He will
travel with us but his calf injury is taking a little longer
to recover than we expected.
The main change for us this week though is that Alan and myself
have decided that it is now the right time to release our
captain and most experienced player Jimmy Strouts.
I had a two hour meeting with Jimmy on Wednesday night to
discuss the way the club is going. Jimmy fully understood
our decision and really seemed to appreciate that we took
the time to explain things to him.
Sadly for Jim, Alan and I now have to cut our financial cloth
accordingly and we have to invest in the future as far as
players are concerned. Budgetary restraints have become necessary
at Maidstone United as we prepare to develop the new ground
at James Whatman Way and difficult decisions like the one
to release Jimmy Strouts are unfortunately going to happen
from now on.
As a player and a motivator in the dressing room, Jim has
been absolutely superb for us for over two years now. He's
a natural leader and fighter and is a natural role model for
younger players on how to prepare for matches and on how to
conduct yourself as a man. Make no bones about this, releasing
Jim is a massive blow to both Alan and myself and ultimately
to Maidstone United too. However, management is not always
easy and I've got to say that this ranks amongst one of the
toughest managerial decisions I have had to make to date.
Everybody at Maidstone United would like to place on record
our sincere thanks to Jimmy Strouts for his efforts in his
time at Maidstone United. He has been one of the most popular
players to appear for the club in recent years with both supporters,
playes and officials. To Jimmy we say "Good luck for
the future and thank you for all of the great football memories."
13th November 2006. 9.00pm
Alan Walker and Lloyd Hume will be taking the opportunity
to give those players within the squad who have not had too
much game time recently, an opportunity to get 90 minutes
of football under their belts in the John Ullmann Kent Senior
Cup 1st Round tie against Sittingbourne on Tuesday evening.
Supporters can expect to see the likes of Michal Czanner and
Kane Rice start, whilst Aaron Lacy, Alex Tiesse, Andy Hart
and Nick Hegley will all probably be involved for the majority,
if not all of the game.
Alan Walker said "I owe it to all of those players that
are not getting full games at present to be able to get out
on the pitch and show us what they can do."
Supporters are reminded that this game, if level at 90 minutes,
will go to extra time and penalties if necessary.
Our away game against Cray Wanderers is now confirmed as
Tuesday 16th January 2007 KO 7-45pm and just a reminder that
the Stones Reserves will play Dartford this Saturday at the
new Princes Park Stadium, so if you can't get to LEatherhead
this weekend, The Reserves would welcome your support.
10th November 2006. 2.00pm
Following two successive 3-2 home defeats, co-manager
Alan Walker is looking forward to having the chance to secure
three more league points in Saturday's Ryman League Division
1 South fixture against Tooting & Mitcham United at Bourne
Park and the opportunity to break the losing run.
"Myself, Lloyd and Scruffy have seen Tooting three times
so far this season and we know what we will be up against.
They are a very good side who have a good deal of pace about
them and like so many London teams they have a toughness about
them."
"They score a lot of goals and we know quite a lot of
their players from other clubs, so we know what we'll be up
against tomorrow afternoon."
The team news is that Sam Tydeman has been struggling with
gastric flu and may not be fit enough to play a full part
in the game this week, whilst Ryan Royston is doubtful with
a back injury that has bothered him for a few weeks. On the
plus side, Errison Ahwan has recovered from his early substitution
last week which was due to fatigue and a lack of meaningful
match practice.
The club has been buoyed by the news that Club Captain Peter
Overton is ready to pull on an amber shirt again following
almost two years of injury hell. Ovey has been given the all
clear by doctors to attempt a comeback and following an intensive
period of recent training, he will turn out for the reserves
tomorrow at Cobdown against Cray Wanderers (ko 2-15pm).
If Peter comes through this game in good enough shape he will
play a few more reserve games and will then be considered
for a possible return to 1st team action. Everybody at the
club wishes Ovey all the best in his comeback game.
Finally, conformation has been received that the postponed
away game versus Godalming will now take place on Tuesday
28th November 2006 with a 7-45 ko.
1st November 2006. 9.30pm
Following a seven day approach from Dartford FC, midfielder
Nick Barnes has elected to join The Darts, who of course move
to their new Princes Park ground in Dartford in just over
one weeks time.
Manager Alan Walker said "Nick has been totally honest
and upfront with Lloyd and myself over the approach from Dartford
for which we are thankful. He has been offered a wage which
is significantly greater than what we can afford to offer
him at Maidstone and that, added to the fact that he lives
in the Dartford area, is good friends with several of the
current Dartford team and of course, the attraction of playing
in their new stadium, means that it was not a difficult decision
for Nick to make."
"Both Lloyd and I would like to place on record our thanks
to Nick Barnes for his efforts with Maidstone United this
season and we of course wish him the very best of luck at
Dartford."
Nick Barnes' playing record for Maidstone United: Apps 30
(26+4) Goals 6
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