Perhaps a poignant day for Hamlet fans of a certain age as Dulwich make their inaugural journey to Kent’s county town and the Gallagher Stadium..

Perhaps a poignant day for Hamlet fans of a certain age as Dulwich make their inaugural journey to Kent’s county town and the Gallagher Stadium, brand spanking new home of Maidstone United. It has been a long and painful journey for fans of the Stones since their old club disintegrated at the start of the 1992 Football League season, forced into bankruptcy having gambled and lost on a new ground. The Stones had pushed the boat out financially getting into the Football League, spending spiralling out of control once they were there. Having sold their old London Road Ground, they moved in with Dartford, buying the Darts Watling Street home. However running costs were not checked as gates dwindled the club plunged ever deeper into the financial mire. The Stones gambled and lost as a patch of land, devoid of any kind of planning permission, was purchased east of Maidstone for the princely sum of £400,000 with a view to building a new ground on it. With a ground back in the county town, the club believed they would be able to afford to continue in the Football League. However, the local council saw things differently and permission to build on the land was thrown out on conservation grounds. With just two players registered at the start of the 1992 season, the Stones went to the wall.

Almost instantly, the resurrection began. Formed with a matter of days of the old club’s demise, Maidstone Invicta began life 12 months later at rock bottom of the Kent County League. 6 years later, they applied to join the Kent League; in 2006, they achieved the next step up winning that title and claiming a place in the Isthmian League. Groundsharing at first Sittingbourne then Ashford United’s Homelands before returning to Bourne Park, the Stones made a stunning start in the Isthmian, winning Division One South at the first time of asking. However, the Premier proved a different proposition, below par attendances, budget cuts and the dream, of a return to their spiritual home taking their toll. After flirting with relegation on a regular basis, the inevitable happening as the Stones dropped back into the South Division at the end of the 2011 season.

Last term the Stones proved admirable foes inflicting the Hamlet’s first league defeat of the season as brace of quick-fire goals at Bourne Park downed Dulwich in late October. Ironically, the second of those goals came from Ellis Green who now plies his trade in Pink and Blue. Maidstone continued to frustrate the Hamlet when they snuffed out the threat in a scoreless stalemate at a rain swept Champion Hill mid-February. However, come the end of the season it would be Dulwich claiming a place in the playoffs whilst the Stones had to settle for sixth spot, six points shy of a playoff berth.

Finally ensconced back in the county town for the start of this season, the Stones were swiftly installed as preseason favourites for the title. Yet things have not been so easy. Those who though that the Stones’ magnificent state of the art 3g artificial pitch would be to their advantage have been pleasantly surprised. Away from the Gallagher, the Stones have been scoring goals for fun, scoring 20 goals in five successive away games through September culminating in a fine win away to Kent rivals, Margate and including successive 5-0 victories at Grays in the FA Cup and at Tooting in the League. However at home it has been a difference story culminating in last Tuesday’s nervous draw with Hythe Town.

Speaking to the local Kent Messenger manager Jay Saunders conceded Maidstone United are still getting used to the pressure of playing in front of large expectant crowds at The Gallagher. Saunders believed nerves played a part in that disappointing 1-1 draw against Hythe in front of more than 1,400 fans.

Saunders is quoted, “I think it got to one or two – maybe the younger ones – and even some of the others haven’t played in front of crowds like that. Last year, in front of 300 at Sittingbourne, a 1-1 draw at home would have been a good result.

“We were expected to turn up and roll Hythe over and we didn’t. We are still growing into playing here ourselves a little bit.

“We are still getting used to it and have been away for five weeks. But we train here and I would expect us to have got three points.”

Both sides have their injury woes, the Stones without midfielder Sam Bewick will be out for a fortnight or more, after his broken nose was re-set in midweek. Meanwhile in addition to the long-term absences of Frankie Sawyer and Ethan Pinnock, Dulwich lost influential full back Ahmed Deen to a leg fracture following a none-too-pleasant tackle in Tuesday night’s disappointing defeat away to the Corinthian-Casuals.

This afternoon’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm and directions to the Gallagher Stadium can be found on the official Maidstone United website by clicking here. Obviously, with a large crowd expected fans are advised to make to the ground well in time to avoid missing any of the action!

Admission Prices:

• Adults £10.00
• Concessions (60+/students) £7.00
• Youth (11-16) £4.00
• Juniors (under 11) Free* (* when accompanied by paying adult)
• Stand seat: Plus £1.00 on the above prices.

In addition, Maidstone will be supporting Non-League Day, with season ticket holders at Premier League and Championship clubs allowed entry to today’s game for £7 if they show them at the turnstiles. There will also be Happy Hour in the between 1-2pm.