I wasn't feeling nostalgic until reading this thread, but since then I've just been looking through the MUFCtv archives (and YouTube, for those videos that Heathside hasn't put on the main website) and so I present to you some classics:
2006-07:
Chelmsford City away:
Newly-promoted Maidstone play away to team top of the division above. I believe that trolley said we'd be lucky to lose by less than seven. However, an outstanding performance, a goal in injury time and Chelmsford missing a last minute penalty meant a surprise 2-1 victory for the Stones, but only after a delayed kick-off while the penalty areas were re-marked after Pat Mullin queried their size with the referee. Also notable for me being hit in the head twice by Kane Rice's dodgy practice shots before the game and at half time.
Sittingbourne home (not that it mattered then!):
A 3-0 win in the Kent Senior Cup notable only for the first of Errison Ahwan's wonder-goals from about 25 yards.
Dover Athletic away:
www.mufctv.co.uk/newsite/?p=1432Notable not only for the newly-promoted Stones beating the title favourites, but also for the fact that I and several others walked from Maidstone to Dover to raise funds for the new ground. Glad I did it, but never again! Lost most of the skin from the bottom of my feet. Anyway, back to the football, this was probably the first time that any of us thought we might realistically win the Div 1S at the first attempt.
Fleet Town away:
No video that I know of, but a tough, battling game and a 1-0 victory put us top of the league on a cold Tuesday night. The locals weren't all that pleasant, what with throwing bottles at Pat Mullin and a firecracker at us.
Dulwich Hamlet away:
Along with the same fixture in 2011-12, one of the best 0-0 draws I've ever seen. Also, it was ragstone's birthday and much alcohol was consumed, particularly after getting to the ground before 12:30. I wonder how much he remembers?
Walton Casuals away:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYVQoBGGEuUWinning the league on the last day thanks to two Ryan Royston goals from Aaron Lacy throws. Pitch invasion, drinking the bar dry and such wonderful dancing as this:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEUan1PGEsw2007-08:
Chelmsford City away:
The return to Chelmsford after promotion was less successful than the first trip. Had Mario McNish (as he was then known while, as it turns out, trying to avoid being arrested) sent off and lost 7-0, a record since the club re-formed.
Margate away:
The classic comeback. 1-0 down, then 1-1. Ended up 3-1 down before eventually winning 4-3 in the last minute after a dodgy Pat Mullin kick found its way out to Luis Cumbers on the wing who crossed for the ever-controversial Andy Martin.
Leyton away:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI4pBsgDeYkOnly managed to beat the bottom team thanks to a shockingly bad dive from Conor Hagan. Also, Leyton were into biting long before Suarez!
Folkestone Invicta away:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=14bwpM3vr3sWinner stays up, loser is relegated. Tense game but we managed it. The video doesn't show the game but does show that the Town End crew didn't invent atmosphere at Maidstone games.
2008-09:
Halesowen Town away:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=egWgw0Kezs8Before Halifax, the furthest I'd been for a Maidstone game. Great game, great atmosphere. Just watch the video! Oh, and spider90 missed the coach.
Swindon Supermarine away:
Probably the most hospitable club I've come across; really went out of their way to make us welcome. We lost, but more importantly and sadly, this was Elvis' last game as he died during the week after.
Ashford Town (Middlesex) away:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UViaHrTuFL0A day when Heathside was too drunk to do proper highlights. A great day out spoiled only by the football match in the middle. Detective Stone is fondly remembered.
2009-10:
Aveley home:
Just notable for being the only good home game I ever saw during those two terrible seasons down at Ashford.
Make that the only good home game I saw in those two seasons at all!
2010-11:
Tooting & Mitcham United away:
Another classic comeback (ended 4-3). Notable mainly for Sam Bunn's expert analysis on StonesLive and random screaming when Maidstone scored the winner.
2011-12:
Corinthian away:
The score was 9-0, and one of my old classmates played right-back for Corinthian. Need I say more?
Bognor Regis Town home:
www.mufctv.co.uk/newsite/?p=1203Last game of the season. Had an outside chance of making the playoffs and lost, but no-one cared because, as the song for the last 15 mins said: "Maidstone's going home".
It appears that I've done my usual and lost track of how long a post is getting, but oh well!
