MAIDSTONE UNITED
Tuesday 9th April 2019
Vanarama National League Premier
Kick off 7.45.00pm
Stadium
The
Gallagher Stadium James Whatman Way Maidstone, Kent ME14 1LQ
Telephone 01622 753817
Club
Colours Amber and Black
Nickname
The Stones
Key
Personnel
Familiar
names – John Still is currently Head of Football with Hakan
Hayrettin Head Coach.
John
Leonard Still needs no introduction to Bees fans as he was manager at
Underhill from June 1997 to February 2002 and at the Hive for the
first half of this current season.
 |
| John Still Summer 2018 |
Hak is a dear friend and
was a Bee for 4 seasons and was part of the brilliant Conference
winning squad of 1990-91. For the reunion party a few years back in
the Durham Suite 'H' was the first to answer my E mails and texts to
the players.
 |
| Hakan Hayrettin Summer 1991 |
The
Club
The
original Maidstone went bankrupt in 1992 and Maidstone Invicta, the
youth set up filled the void. Starting back in the Kent County League
they have progressed steadily through the pyramid.
Brief Directions by Road
These
directions courtesy of MUFC. Leave
the M20 at Junction 6 and take the A229 towards Maidstone. Go
straight across two roundabouts and on entering Maidstone at the
third roundabout (where there is a large white office building on
your right hand side) take the third exit into James Whatman Way. You
will now see the stadium right in front of you. At the T-junction
turn left and the stadium entrance is further down on the right.
Car Parking
No
parking at the ground but various pay and display areas are close by
for around £4.50 to cover the game time. Town centre also has
plentiful parking and that is a short walk away from the stadium.
Directions by Train
A
London Victoria train runs to Maidstone East which is 10 minutes walk
to the ground.
Eating
and Drinking Locally
The
Spitfire Lounge behind the main stand admits visiting supporters. The
Flower Pot is the local pub on Sandling Road. In the town centre the
Society Rooms is the better of two Wetherspoons outlets. The Reckless
Recommendation is the really nice Swan pub on County Road close to
Maidstone East station it is 10 minutes walk from the ground.
 |
| The Swan |
Ground
Description
The
ground opened in 2012. The Main stand, extended in 2015, seats around
800. Opposite is a flat uncovered standing area. The North stand is a
very impressive terrace with room for around 1800. Part of this area
is normally allocated to visiting supporters along with a small
section of seats in the main stand. To the south in the Loucas end
which is a shallow seven step covered terrace. The Pitch is 3G.
Admission
Prices
Seating
£18.00 Concessions £15.00. Terrace £15.00 Concessions £12.00
Our
Last Meeting & Memories
Our
last meetings were way back in 1992 in League Division 4. Mark Carter
scored in the away 1-1 draw, while Carter again, Harry Willis and
Paul Showler netted in a 3-2 win at Underhill. Regular meetings were
had in the 1970's and 1980's in the Southern, Alliance and Conference
Leagues with Barnet only winning once away from home in March 1988
with Nicky Evans scoring both in a 2-1 win. Nicky scored all three in
the draw at Underhill the previous season , so I rest my case.
 |
| The REAL Hand of God |
 |
| Nicky was the original not some Imitator! |
Barnet
wonder fact – Maidstone offered Bees legend Les Eason a contract in
1969, Les was at the peak of his goalscoring powers then, at
allegedly thrice his wage at Barnet. He turned it down because he
loved Barnet playing too much alongside Bill Meadows, Paddy Powell,
Gerry Ward, Barry King, Ben Embery etc etc.. Great man is Les.
 |
| Les Eason |
Celebrity
Watch
The
area doesn't overflow with Celebs I'm afraid although one of my
childhood heroes Vision On and Take Hart TV artist Tony Hart was born
here as was actor Noel Howlett who played the Headmaster Cromwell in
the brilliant 1970's sitcom Please Sir!
 |
| Cast of Please Sir! |
Two
ex Bees were born in these parts too, Adam Birchall and Duncan
Horton.
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