Stones proud of FA Cup legacy

The FA Cup Run of the Season

Maidstone United

ROLLING STONES: Maidstone boss George Elokobi, left, is presented with their award by The FA’s James Earl

PICTURE: Matt Bristow

AFTER an underdog run that stole the hearts of the nation, there was never going to be any other team than Maidstone United for the FA Cup Run of the Year award.

The National League South side captured the imagination of football lovers across the country, taking the scalps of League Two Barrow, League One Stevenage and Championship runners-up Ipswich Town as they reached the fifth round of the FA Cup before their run was ended by Coventry City.

More than 4,500 fans were in Suffolk as they saw off Premier League-bound Ipswich in the shock of this season’s competition as they held on for a famous 2-1 victory with goals from Lamar Reynolds and Sam Corne before an inspired defensive resistance.

Manager George Elokobi urged everyone to believe throughout their epic run – that started with an away win at Steyning Town Community – and was richly rewarded, with the club winning the hearts and minds of an entire generation both home and away.

Community

He said: “Our togetherness at Maidstone United FC and the community as a whole has been incredible.

“We believed throughout the season, and we achieved so many great things together and we’ve inspired so many people not just in the Maidstone community but in football and in life in general.

“It’s about making sure we start together as a community. Because of our belief and our achievements on the pitch, as a community we’ve touched and inspired so many people.

“We’ve showcased ourselves in terms of our following and how we’re supported not just by our community but all neutral fans as well.

“It’s an incredible time and the most important things are those moments that we created to inspire so many people.”

For Elokobi, his team’s performance will live long in the memory, and he swelled with pride as he looked back on what has been a historic campaign for Maidstone.

The former Wolves defender reflected: ‘’To be honest, being in the first round of the FA Cup was a highlight in itself.

“Beating Barrow, and then beating Stevenage was great as well but the most important one was going to Portman Road with a community behind us in full force and creating history there.e.

“We’ve made history and made a legacy that no one can take away from us.

“It’ll be spoken of for years to come, and we’ve inspired a lot of people to carry on believing in themselves.s.

“If we believe we can achieve and if we keep believing we can achieve great things.”

HEROES: Maidstone United players and staff celebrate at Ipswich