16th May 2008. 8.30pm
Marc Clarey and Aaron Lacy are the latest players
to sign a deal for next season.
Clarey joined the Stones in March from Ryman North side
Tilbury and impressed joint managers Alan Walker and
Lloyd Hume with his defensive displays in the final
games of the season. Fans' favourite Aaron Lacy will
be back for another season. His performances in the
closing months of the season helped the Stones to preserve
their Ryman Premier status.
Alan Walker said: "I'm pleased that Marc and Aaron
have agreed deals for next season. We've still got other
players to talk to over the weekend and next week. There
are a number of players who will be invited for trials
during the pre-season, I'm really pleased with what
we've achieved over the past couple of weeks."
Last season's top scorer Mo Takaloo has rejoined Ramsgate
on a two-year deal and defender Lee Shearer has left
the club.
12th May 2008. 1.15pm
Following much rumour and speculation, Maidstone
United joint manager Alan Walker has announced nine
players for next season's squad.
Defender Ian Cox joins from Gillingham. The former Trinidad
and Tobago international was part of their 2006 World
Cup squad. His previous clubs include Crystal Palace,
Bournemouth, Burnley and Carshalton Athletic.
Margate duo James Pinnock and Jay Saunders have put
pen to paper. Pinnock has enjoyed his most prolific
season, scoring 27 goals, and his known for his phenomenal
workrate. He was voted Players' Player of the Year and
Supporters' Player of the Year last season. Saunders
was part of the Margate side during their glory years
in the Conference before moving to Gravesend. A short
spell at Lewes followed before the Blues legend returned
to Hartsdown Park. His strongest position is central
midfield but he's equally comfortable at centre-half.
Roland Edge signs from Folkestone Invicta. The defender
previously played professionally for Gillingham, Hull
City and Hibernian, making nearly 150 Football League
and Scottish Premier League appearances in a nine-year
career. Another Folkestone acquisition is defender Kevin
Watson. Watson, who was with Charlton as a youth, was
the captain of the Team Bath side that made it to the
First Round of the FA Cup in 2003/04 season.
Walker said: "These are top top players. Lloyd
and myself are absolutely delighted with who we've got
so far. There's no way in the world we want a repeat
of last season and in announcing these new players we
have already got the nucleus of a new squad. We've taken
steps to strengthen all areas of the side and their
experience at this level and higher is vitally important
to us."
Four of last season's squad - Ben Lewis, Nathan Paul,
Ian Selley and Alex Tiesse - have agreed new deals.
Walker added: "I'm pleased to have secured the
services of those four players. We've still got to speak
to others in the current squad and will make announcements
as and when."
Another signing from a higher-league club is being
finalised and will be announced later in the week.
11th May 2008. 11.15am, updated
3.45pm
For the third year running Maidstone United U19s
travelled to Amsterdam and defeated teams from Germany,
Holland and Belgium to bring this prestigious trophy
back home to England.
The tournament consisted of two groups of five teams
with the top two from each league progressing through
to the semi final stages the following day.
After a shaky start in their first game the Stones
eventually defeated VC Rijmenam (Belgium) 2-0 with goals
from Keelan Mooney and Jack Parkinson.
Next up was SCH’44 (Holland) and a very physical
encounter saw the Stones draw 1-1 thanks to a Shannon
O’Donovan equaliser.
A superb team display ensured a comfortable 3-0 victory
against UNIO (Holland) with goals from James Bodle,
O’Donovan and Chris Smalling.
At the end of a long day another excellent team display
saw the Stones finish top of their group as they swept
aside Schwagstorf/Ostercappeln (Germany) 3-0 with goals
from Rob Lyall, Ant Bodle and Billy Morrison after just
2 minutes of coming on as a substitute in his first
appearance after suffering a broken leg 12 months ago.
The semi-final saw the Stones paired against a very
defensive Elburger SC (Holland) side who were undoubtedly
hoping for a penalty shoot out. However a superb goal
from James Peacock and another from substitute Billy
Morrison saw the stones progress to the final.
The Stones dominated proceedings in the final against
White Star Schorvoort (Belgium) and goals from Jack
Parkinson and Miles Cornwell enabled them to lift the
trophy and party throughout the night!
All members of the squad (below) played their part
in this thoroughly deserved victory: Andy Foster, James
Peacock, Adam Harris, Ashley Ulph, Chris Pearce, Jimmy
Bodle, Ant Bodle, Chris Smalling, Billy Morrison, Marc
Morrison, Miles Cornwell, Rob Lyall, Shannon O’Donovan,
Scott Whibley, Rob Carter, Tom Parkinson, Jack Parkinson,
Colin Richmond, Keelan Mooney.
Bob Ulph's photos
10th May 2008. 4.00pm
Maidstone United under 19s are in Holland this weekend
for the annual VV Kamerik tournament.
The team will be in the semi-final tomorrow after getting
through the group stage. They beat C Rijmenam (Belgium)
2-0, drew 1-1 against Sch 44 (Holland), won 3-0 versus
Unio (Holland) and secured a 3-0 win against S.G. Schwagstorf
(Germany).
5th May 2008. 1.00pm
Maidstone United Football Club are delighted to
announce that season ticket prices have been frozen
until 30 June.
Supporters who purchase their ticket by that date will
make substantial savings compared to the standard matchday
admission for a season which will see local derbies
against Dartford, Dover Athletic, Margate, Ramsgate
and Tonbridge Angels.
Standard matchday entrance prices have been increased
for the 2008/09 season.
Maidstone United chairman Paul Bowden-Brown said: “The
board of directors have reluctantly decided to raise
matchday admission prices. After one season at Ryman
Premier level, it proved to be far more costly than
had been originally budgeted for. With the anticipated
extra costs involved in the move to the new stadium
and the possibility of an increased investment in the
playing squad in a bid to eradicate the problems that
we have experienced last season, the need for extra
revenue could prove paramount.”
The season ticket prices are as follows (price freeze
offer in brackets):
Adult £190 (£168)
Adult (inc. main stand seat) £221 (£189)
60+ £109 (£84)
60+ (inc. main stand seat) £135 (£105)
11-16 £74 (£35)
11-16 (inc. main stand seat) £95 (£56)
Junior £38
Junior (inc. main stand seat) £57
Family £336 (£336) (two adults
and up to two children)
The new matchday admission prices are:
Adults £10
Students £7 (on production of a valid
student card)
60+ £6
11-16 £4
Juniors £2
Family £18 (two adults and up to two
children)
Add £1 for a seat in main stand.
5th May 2008. 10.00am
Maidstone United Football Club are looking for coaching
staff for their community work and youth teams.
The club are looking to strengthen their coaching structure
by attracting quality coaches and managers, preferably
Level 2 FA qualified, who would enjoy working with a
highly-professional, committed team to bring top class
coaching opportunities to Maidstone.
Youth Development Officer Adrian Smith said: "Maidstone
United's youth and community section has some fantastic
coaches but with our ever-expanding programme we need
to attract new talent. We are looking for people with
coaching experience and qualifications who can come
straight in to our set-up and over time we will work
with them to enhance their knowledge and skills."
Maidstone United chairman Paul Bowden-Brown said: "We
are looking for people who are passionate about football
and who are keen to develop players of the future and
provide opportunities for people in the borough to take
part in the sport. The youth and community work is helping
to re-establish the club's name and reputation ahead
our return to the town."
For more information on coaching and youth team management
opportunities, contact youth development officer Adrian
Smith on 07801 023365 or email mufcyouth@btinternet.com
In addition, the club are currently recruiting children
seven years old and under, both boys and girls, with
a view to having a team of each in next season’s
Invicta Primary League at under 8 level.
There are also opportunities for children and young
people to join and strengthen all the club's youth teams..
For the under 7 to 10 teams contact Andy Ryan on 07795
121817 and for the under 11 to 16 teams contact Paul
Edwards on 07791 324809.
1st May 2008. 8.45pm
 Maidstone
United chairman Paul Bowden-Brown has confirmed that
Alan Walker and Lloyd Hume will continue to manage the
first team for the coming season.
Bowden-Brown said: “Although it is common knowledge
that I have every confidence in my management team and
appreciate where they have taken this club over the
past three seasons, to say that I was disappointed with
some of our performances last season would be an understatement.”
The Stones narrowly escaped relegation on the last
day of the season by beating Folkestone Invicta 1-0
to retain their Ryman Premier League status.
Bowden-Brown added: “I have sat down with Alan
and Lloyd and discussed all of my concerns and agreed
what will be expected from them next season, and a strategy
to move the club forward.
 “In
particular I made the club’s feelings known over
the very poor discipline record of the team and of Lloyd
himself. Lloyd has apologised personally for his inappropriate
behaviour at times and in particular his two unnecessary
sending offs. I’m looking for my management team
and players to fulfil their obligations as role models
for the club and have high expectations for next season.”
It has been agreed that the club’s Code of Conduct
will be reinforced; it will now be applied formally
both to the team and to all non-playing staff, including
the management team and any misconduct charges will
be examined by a club disciplinary committee. Any incident
deemed serious enough could end up with the immediate
dismissal of the individual involved.
Next season there will be a host of mouth-watering
local derbies against Dartford, Dover Athletic, Margate,
Ramsgate and Tonbridge Angels. Season tickets will be
available from Monday 5 May.
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