Maidstone United should be a Conference South club, says two-goal hero Royston - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Hero Ryan Royston believes Maidstone United should be playing Blue Square Southern (Conference South) football at least, writes Stephen McCartney.

Two headed goals from the big central defender, 25, secured a 2-1 victory at Walton Casuals on a tense final day yesterday, as the Stones won the Ryman League Division One South title by a point.

Most Stones fans in the 586 crowd on the banks of the River Thames at Walton Casuals’ smart Franklyn Road Sports Ground, have been following the club during their Kent County League days.

They recall playing the likes of Paddock Wood, Smarden, Lydd and Bearsted.

But the John Terry lookalike believes the club, who have now clinched back-to-back titles to race from the Kent League into the Ryman Premier League in just two seasons, emulating what Ramsgate did 12 months ago, can go even further.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Maidstone and for us to win two promotions in the only two full seasons that I’ve played has been huge,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk  yesterday.

“Maidstone, as a club, are back to where they should be at this moment in time.



HERO STATUS:  Maidstone United defender Ryan Royston (wearing white shirt just inside the six-yard box) powers home his first of two headed goals as the Stones clinched the Ryman League Division One South title with a 2-1 win at Walton Casuals yesterday.

Photograph courtesy of www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

“For the last two seasons we’ve been playing at a level below (that) we should have been and it’s a chance for the club itself to go on again from where we are.

“The fan base that we’ve got is a Ryman Premier League fan base, it’s that size. The club and structure is that sort of sized club and there’s no way in the world it should be playing Kent League football a year ago.”

When asked how far the club can go, Royston said: “With the current squad and the current structure of the club, probably Conference South, Conference.

“And they’ll have to build again on the new ground then and have to put more structures into place if they want to go full-time pro and go back into the Football League.

“A town of Maidstone, that’s what they should be aiming for.”

An emotionally drained Royston praised the fans that either walk from Maidstone to Dover, cycle from Oxford to Sittingbourne - and follow the club.

“Some of the people here today have done so much for this club and it’s amazing!” he said.

“I saw earlier (Stones fan) Elvis out there. Doctors say that he shouldn’t really be alive, and he’s here to see this and some one like that, it’s amazing.

“The fans are so committed to this club and I think I’ll put on the top of that list Paul (Bowden-Brown), the chairman. He’s probably the biggest supporter of all.

“I hate it when he shouts out during games and all that. He has a go at you, but at the end of the day, all he wants is the best for the club and he wants players to give the best for the club and when things don’t go well he’s disappointed like everyone else.”

Royston is, however, delighted to be a Ryman Premier League player again.

“I’ve not played in the Ryman Premier (as it is) now. I’ve only ever played in the Ryman Premier when it was below the Conference for Croydon, who are now in the Kent League,” he recalled.

But the 12-goal defender warned: “The difference is teams just don’t make mistakes.”

Visit Maidstone United's website:  www.maidstoneunited.co.uk