Fans react to George Elokobi stepping down as Maidstone manager at the end of the season

Followers react to the announcement of George Elokobi stepping down as Maidstone United supervisor on the finish of the 2025/26 season.

After taking part in for Maidstone since 2019, he was named in caretaker cost as substitute for Hakan Hayrettin in January 2023.

Two months later, he bought the job completely and notably guided them to the FA Cup fifth spherical for the primary time after a shock 2–1 away win at Ipswich City, turning into “the primary membership outdoors the highest 5 tiers of English soccer to succeed in the FA Cup fifth spherical since Blyth Spartans in 1978”.

However now his time involves an finish after three years as their boss, with the membership at the moment sitting ninth within the desk, with 71 factors from 44 video games performed, and are 2 factors from the playoff locations.

🟠 Finish of an period as Elokobi broadcasts resolution to go away Maidstone United Soccer Membership.https://t.co/FBTbAPUMRK pic.twitter.com/fC08CIfGfV

— Maidstone United (@maidstoneunited) April 14, 2026

CLUB STATEMENT:

George Elokobi will step down as Maidstone United supervisor on the finish of the season.

George has taken the choice to go away Maidstone United on the finish of his contract. The membership has big respect for him and was eager to retain his providers. Membership funds are underneath stress and negotiations over the sale, which might probably enhance the taking part in finances, are taking longer than anticipated. George and his administration staff have reiterated their dedication to ending the season within the highest doable place.

From title‑successful captain to FA Cup historical past‑making supervisor, it has been a memorable seven years for the Stones boss. When George arrived on the Gallagher Stadium in the summertime of 2019, it was anticipated to be solely a one‑season keep. Nonetheless, such was the moment connection between him and the membership’s supporters that there was no hesitation in extending his time on the membership.

As membership captain, his management expertise got here to the fore, combining first‑staff duties with a training and mentoring position at Maidstone United’s Soccer Academy. A first-rate instance of that mentoring position got here in the course of the Covid lockdowns, when George hosted Zoom calls and led residence exercises with college students to assist preserve their psychological and bodily wellbeing.

Within the first full season after Covid restrictions had been lifted, the Stones gained the Nationwide League South championship, with George and vice‑captain Gavin Hoyte lifting the trophy in entrance of a promote‑out Gallagher Stadium. That ultimate sport of the season additionally marked George’s ultimate taking part in look, capped off with a objective and a guard of honour from each Maidstone and Hampton & Richmond gamers.

Following his retirement from taking part in, George continued in his academy position, however a brand new problem arrived in January 2023. Put in as caretaker supervisor, his first match got here simply days later in a penalty shoot‑out victory towards Notts County within the FA Trophy.

The caretaker position quickly turned everlasting and, following the membership’s return to the Nationwide League South, George and assistant supervisor Craig Fagan set about rebuilding a squad from the bottom up – a process they’d repeat the next season and once more this 12 months. That work resulted in a play‑off semi‑ultimate look in 2023/24 and progress one stage additional final season.

If one occasion is to outline George Elokobi’s time at Maidstone United, it needs to be the unimaginable FA Cup run of two seasons in the past. The Stones turned the bottom‑ranked aspect since 1978 to succeed in the final 16 of the world‑well-known competitors.

What began on a sunny September afternoon at Steyning City within the second qualifying spherical ended within the fifth spherical on the residence of now Premier League‑sure Coventry Metropolis. Alongside the way in which had been victories over League One and League Two opposition, earlier than Maidstone pulled off one of many largest shocks in FA Cup historical past by defeating Ipswich City away within the fourth spherical.

That astonishing run put the membership firmly on the map, attracting consideration from America to Australia and past. Whereas there was nationwide and worldwide curiosity, George ensured the Maidstone group remained entrance and centre all through this historic journey.

Talking about his time on the membership, George mentioned: “Soccer is about making reminiscences that may final ceaselessly. Collectively by means of ardour, values and perception we created some magical moments that may join us for all times.

“My gratitude to our homeowners (Terry and Oliver), Director of Soccer (Invoice Williams), the gamers and administration staff and all of the workers on the soccer membership and principally to our great supporters and wider group.”

Membership co‑proprietor Oliver Ash mentioned: “I do know I communicate for everybody linked with the membership after I say we owe George an immense quantity of gratitude and respect for the onerous work he put in each as a participant and as our supervisor.

“Entrusting George with the supervisor’s position three years in the past is actually among the finest selections we have now made and, whereas I’ve many fond reminiscences from his time in cost, like many Stones supporters I’ll always remember the emotion of the FA Cup win at Portman Highway.”

Co‑proprietor Terry Casey added: “George has made an immense contribution to Maidstone United. As a participant, captain, mentor and supervisor, he introduced expertise, boundless vitality and a novel means to encourage these round him.

“His successes on the pitch, each as a participant and supervisor, are unquestionable however, for me, equally necessary are his successes off it. He has touched the lives of numerous individuals throughout his time right here and might be drastically missed by us all.”

Participant, captain, coach, mentor and supervisor – George Elokobi will go away an indelible impression on Maidstone United, together with reminiscences that may final a lifetime.

Supporters may have the chance to indicate their appreciation for George at this weekend’s residence match towards Worthing. Extra particulars might be launched in the course of the week.

Followers react to George Elokobi stepping down as Maidstone supervisor on the finish of the season…

@KyleTFraser1998: Can’t blame him, been given pennies and anticipated to carry out miracles. Ash & Casey out

@Raymondo_316: Until this takeover occurs that the homeowners preserve mentioning our subsequent supervisor goes to be somebody correct low-cost from the Isthmian Leagues. Anybody who wished George gone goes to be in for a shock at how a lot worse issues could be

@stevehemsley: A legend. Most likely time is correct. However what reminiscences. Thanks George

@justafan1m: Noticed that coming. However can’t blame him – nothing however respect for George and the whole lot he’s completed for the membership 🖤💛

@MorecambeFCFeed: Fancy a visit up north?

@benstonesfc1: Phrases gained’t do it justice. George has proven nothing however respect to me on a private degree since he walked by means of the door. He made the media staff really feel such as you had been a part of the squad and all the time had time for anybody. I’d run by means of brick partitions for this man

@adamnation_: the truth that the sale of the membership taking longer then anticipated being talked about in that isn’t a great signal for subsequent season… can’t blame him for not wanting to remain on

@jane36london: Unhappy to learn this, prime man. If you happen to might beat Worthing earlier than you allow that may be nice although 👍

@AshCaseyOut: @georgeelokobi thanks for all the trouble you set in and the reminiscences you gave us. Good luck for the long run! Now who the fuck are we going to get

@TimGardnerNo1: Appears a correct good bloke. He’ll get one thing larger and higher I’m certain.

@paulh66runs: Didn’t see this coming, however George has led us by means of some troublesome instances and can by no means be forgotten for giving us the best day within the historical past of the membership. Good luck to him and remainder of the administration staff for the long run.

@4doorsmorepaws: We’ll actually miss him come subsequent season.. his groups by no means actually appeared good however he might flip ithsmian gamers into nationwide league and soccer league gamers like nothing else. i’ll by no means ever neglect ipswich away so long as i reside

@charltondoris: Not a shock however a disgrace all the identical. Thanks for the reminiscences George, you introduced us collectively in a means nobody had since Jay Saunders. Finest needs to him within the subsequent stage of his profession.

@Harryenoble: Thanks George, onto larger and higher issues.

@artjjc188: Oh wow! George has completed wonders given the scenario he’s been in for thus lengthy on the membership. Unsure what’s subsequent for Maidstone. No matter it’s, it’s going to take time. Plenty of it. However, it is a big blow, and if he’s persevering with elsewhere whoever will get him are in luck!

@Jasmine49428854: Thanks George! What a incredible journey it’s been with you on the helm 🧡🖤

@DWILLS_: @georgeelokobi all the very best gaffer thanks for the reminiscences. Unhappy day for the membership.

@georgeelokobi

What this man has completed for the membership can’t be overstated. He’s given many followers the very best reminiscences of their lives following this membership.

I want he stayed. However I can perceive the choice to go away and I hope he finds a chance additional up the pyramid as a result of he… https://t.co/WEautVx14x pic.twitter.com/SU3ceql0Cx

— MSton3 (@justafan1m) April 14, 2026