2026-27 Recruitment Plan for Maidstone United

Player Decisions

Retain

Mo Faal, Riley Court, Taylor Foran, Hamzad Kargbo, Jephte Tanga, Sam Corne, John Gilbert, Leo Hamblin, TJ Bramble, David Sesay, Jamie Yila, Mark Boruk

Release

Leny Holden, Dajon Golding, Ruben Carvalho, Lexus Beeden, Nathan Harness, David Agbontohoma, Christe Pattison, Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong

Lose

George Fowler

Loan End

N/A

Retained Squad

New Signings

Dillon Addai (Bromley – free)

One area in which I feel that The Stones could improve going into 2026-27 is between the sticks. Finding a good goalkeeper is by no means an easy feat, but one option that I think they should look at signing is Bromley’s Dillon Addai. 

Addai enjoyed a loan spell at lower league Ramsgate during 2025-26, and so signing for The Stones would be a step up for the youngster. Personally, I feel that playing National League South football would represent a logical next step for him in his development, and so Maidstone United is a strong potential destination for the youngster to go and prove himself in 2026-27. Indeed, he also spent time with Chelmsford City earlier this season, and so he wouldn’t be coming into this challenge completely blind of the demands of playing in the sixth tier. 

In terms of the type of goalkeeper that he is, Addai is an agile, nimble and powerful player that is quick off his line, has the strong spring and physical attributes to dominate his area, and is aggressive in coming for crosses. 

Bromley have one of the better youth teams around at the level, and a number of their academy players went on to have hugely successful seasons (e.g. Nathan Paul-Lavly, Sam German and Freddie Taylor etc). The Ravens cleverly pick the loan destinations for their young players such that they get the right environment for their development, and if I am in their shoes then I would see going and being the new #1 for The Stones as an ideal opportunity for him to improve. 

I believe that there is actually an opportunity for Addai to go and make a permanent move to The Stones to really kickstart his professional career, and so if The Stones could get it done then I feel it would be a clever piece of business. He is 22 years of age, represents an exciting project and has been well-coached. Now that The Ravens are in League One, the pathway into the first-team is more at distance for the youngster and so he may have to find a new home in which to go and play his football. He has got some lovely physical attributes, and this is one I would be all over if I was Craig Fagan.

Kai Thomas-Fraser (Redbridge – free)

Prior to the weekend, I had Lekan Majoyegbe down as a potential signing for The Stones. However, in wake of him re-signing a deal with The Stones, they will have to look elsewhere. One option that I would look at is youngster Kai Thomas-Fraser. 

The Stones are – I feel – likely to sign players from lower in the pyramid, and so while it would be a bit of a gamble in signing the youngster to make the step up I do think that the defender could be a good acquisition. Given his profile, I believe that he would complement Taylor Foran quite nicely. 

Taylor Foran is your physical, aggressive and ball-winning type that is a strong box-defender. However, Fraser is your quick, agile, athletic type that is comfortable when being drawn into defending in the channel. Capable of playing a high line. An incredible athlete, with a good left-foot, and proficient with the ball. He has got the dynamism to track runners.

The way that Maidstone United are set up to play under George Elokobi has to be fairly regimented without the ball and taking very little risk. However, I feel that they have got the players to be a little more adventurous. Leo Hamblin can be an attacking full-back if given the license to. Playing on the left of the centre-back partnership, I think that Thomas-Fraser is well-suited to covering the space vacated by Hamblin and in being able to slide across. 

He is currently plying his trade with lower league Redbridge, and comes off the back of a strong individual campaign. He has been a key part of their efforts in getting to the semi-finals of the Isthmian League North, and so may – if they get promoted – only be a single league below The Stones next season. Regardless, he impressed in 2025-26 and the type of player I could quite easily see step up.

Harry Phipps (Eastbourne Borough – free)

While Eastbourne Borough were relegated out of the National League South in 2025-26, I maintain that The Sports’ skipper is still a good player for the level. As such, he may well be a player that is of interest to teams at Step Two regarding a potential transfer in the summer. 

Personally, I feel that Phipps provides options in a number of different roles and that offers real value to Maidstone United. As a secondary option, I think that he has got the size, the frame, the physicality and the engine to be a central midfielder with his energy to get about the pitch, impose himself physically and in turning possession over, and so while not his best position he can be used as a deeper-lying midfielder. He started as a midfielder earlier in his career, and so I definitely believe this is a role that is suited to him and so I would like to see him used there at times. 

His best – or perhaps most recent – position is playing at the heart of the defence, with his aerial qualities, combative nature against the ball,  and his leadership qualities in organising the backline. 

One of the major reasons as to why I feel that Phipps remains a useful candidate for the National League South is due to his character and personality. An incredibly hard-working professional. 

I wouldn’t use his spell with Eastbourne Borough as being solely representative of his qualities, and indeed I would look to the success of his spell with Dagenham and Redbridge – to the tune of a callup to the England C squad – as being more so emblematic of what he is capable of. He is the type of player who is a selfless team member, adaptable, highly coachable and has got a strong mindset. In particular, his recovery from some serious injuries and application to the cause is indicative of his work-rate and dedication, and I feel that his character would very much buy into the inclusive environment The Stones have harboured under Elokobi. 

Given he signed for Eastbourne Borough, the wages may well be a potential question mark or stumbling block in navigating a potential deal. However, I think that if The Stones can get him then he would be a good option. He is someone that needs little in the way of an introduction given that he has played for the club before, and I feel he would be a good addition to the group.

Alex Stepien-Iwumene (Bromley – free)

One of The Stones’ successes in 2025-26 was their midfield options, with Sam Corne again proving his worth as a reliable operator for the level and youngster Riley Court particularly impressed as a mainstay of their side. 

That said, one attribute that I feel that they were perhaps missing at times was that physicality and size. The Stones’ midfield is fairly diminutive in stature, and so identifying a midfielder with the physical profile to be aggressive against the ball, defend from set-pieces and manage the combative nature of the league would be hugely effective – I feel – in ensuring that they can establish control in games. 

One player who is in need of a change of scenery and a new environment in which to play his football is Alex Stepien-Iwumene. He is on the books at Bromley, yet spent much of 2025-26 out on loan with teams in non-league. As The Ravens get set for life in League One, Stepien-Iwumene is definitely one I would highlight as being a potential departure for Andy Woodman’s side and so he will need to find himself a new permanent home in which to play his football. 

There is a lot of development to do in his game, but as a complement to what The Stones have already got in Corne and Court I feel that Stepien-Iwumene could represent a clever option. He is more of a physical, box-to-box, ball-carrying midfield profile, and goes alongside the more technically focused options that The Stones have at their disposal. He offers that physicality and presence, is powerful and is a great athlete. 

He ended the campaign on loan at Isthmian League side Cray Wanderers, and so signing for Maidstone United would be a bit of a step up for him. I am confident that he has got some good skillsets and represents the exact type of young and hungry player that Craig Fagan could work with as a bit of a project. I think this would be a good signing for The Stones.

Manny Maja (Bedford Town – free)

A key part of the approach that Maidstone United have employed in the transfer market is in finding players who are potentially of lower stock that they can elevate and platform effectively in getting the most out of. I expect that this will remain a fixture under Craig Fagan. 

When Maja broke through with Enfield Town, he was rated as one of the best up-and-coming young players in the non-league circuit. However, by his own admission he may well feel that his career has drifted in the last 12-18 months and so he needs that opportunity in which to get his career back up and running. Maidstone United has proven to be a good environment for players to get their game back on track, and so signing for Craig Fagan’s men may be a good option. 

In terms of his profile, I think that Maja complements Sam Corne and Riley Court quite nicely. Maja is a powerful, rangy, physical midfielder that has got a good size, aggressive in the tackle and against the ball. He utilises his frame well in driving the ball forward from deep, and I feel that he is ideal for playing a box-to-box role whereby he is able to be combative in winning the ball back and then breaking the lines in progressing the ball into advanced areas. 
There is definitely a player in there, and even after a spell out through injury and his move to King’s Lynn Town not working out as he would have hoped I maintain that he is a talented lad. The Stones have got a hugely functional midfield, and so I feel that this could provide Manny Maja with the stability into which he can go and flourish and refine his craft.

He is 24 years of age, and so still has a lot to give as a player and with the right coaching I think that he can be a real asset at the level. He can mix it, handle the physicality of Stones’ combative style, can get the ball down and play, and is a well-rounded profile. He will likely be allowed to leave Bedford Town on a free transfer, and if The Stones can get him then I feel he would represent a nice project.

Tijan Jadama (Ramsgate – free)

I am always a huge advocate for teams at this level in signing players from a lower level, and in Maidstone United’s case – as one of the lower hitting teams financially at the level – I think this is an avenue they should go down. 

One player who I have been impressed with and was surprised hasn’t got a higher move before now is Tijan Jadama of Ramsgate. 

In terms of a profile, Jadama is an attacking midfielder. He isn’t the biggest, but is someone that thrives playing in the half-spaces and between the lines in getting on the turn and using his speed and physicality in progressing the ball from deep. One thing that I particularly like about Jadam’s game is that he has got an incredible energy and athleticism to his play. Always on the move. Always offering himself as an option. Willing to receive the ball under pressure and in tight spaces, but then can use his speed and acceleration in creating separation against his marker. 

He has got a nice ability to arrive late into the box, and so offers The Stones that goal-scoring presence in breaking from deep. He plays with such positivity in looking to play forward and break down the opposition, and willing to take risks. He has been an ever-present for Ramsgate, but I think that this summer might be a convenient point in his career – at the age of 27 – for him to go and prove himself in the National League South.

Sam Folarin (Hartlepool United – free)

One player that I picked out for The Stones to sign last season and will again put down as a prospective target for Craig Fagan to sign is Sam Folarin. He is someone that they will have an appreciation of given that he spent time in the National League South during 2025-26, and I would like to see them sign this summer. 

Jephte Tanga has been a livewire during the campaign and Jamie Yila is someone that I still retain high hopes for, but I definitely feel that there is scope for them to add another attacking option in the wide areas during the summer. In Sam Folarin, they would be getting a player who played on loan in the sixth tier last term and so has got experience of the league. 

Folarin is on the books of Hartlepool United, albeit I expect big changes from The Monkey Hangers during the summer and a lot of overhaul in their playing side. Given that Folarin spent much of the season out on loan away from the first-team, I would be very surprised if Folarin was kept on by United going into next season. Instead, I anticipate that he will be available to sign on a free transfer. 

The youngster gives The Stones a number of attributes which I feel that they could benefit from; speed, trickery, quick feet and a willingness to run at players. Under George Elokobi, a lot of their play was in going direct in the build-up and getting on the end of knock-downs in the final third, however I feel that we may see more of a focus under Craig Fagan on building through the phases and in getting the wide players into the game more. Having such an efficient ball-carrier such as Folarin would certainly help matters. 

He is still only 25 years of age, and so even though his time with Middlesbrough didn’t go to plan and has since had to drop down the divisions in which to get his game time I think that he represents the type of player that – if Craig Fagan can get him playing regularly, and to his potential – is more than capable of making that step up the ladder again in the future. On a free, I feel he would be a good addition.

Fate Kotey (Crawley Town – free)

The next player on this list will definitely not be a household name, given that he has been on the books of League Two Crawley Town yet featured sparingly with Isthmian League Whitehawk in 2025-26; youngster Fate Kotey. 

Going into 2026-27, I think that Crawley Town have got to start being fairly ruthless in the market, and have got some difficult decisions to make in trimming down their squad. Kotey is one of those that may well be allowed to depart the club on a free transfer, and so The Stones would be able to land him for nothing. Despite being an EFL player, I feel that he isn’t someone who is necessarily in the ‘shop window’ for teams in non-league and so I believe The Stones could get him. 

The youngster is only 18 years of age, and so he would definitely represent a project for The Stones. One of their successes across the last 12-18 months has been in signing players that have a point to prove, and who are eager to prove themselves within a first-team environment and grasp an opportunity given to them. He is by no means the finished article and there is definitely a lot of work to do in getting him playing how he can do, but I feel that willingness to do well is something that can be hugely effective in applying himself properly for the cause. 

As a player, Kotey is a hugely energetic and all-action wide attacker. Speed, trickery, dynamism, full of running, and someone that is always looking to get on the turn, isolate defenders and attack space. He is most effective – I feel – when he holds that width in the first instance and then is able to engage in 1-on-1’s, and if he is able to develop that bit more personality and aggression to his play to really commit players then I believe that he has the makings of a good wide player for the level. 

Having watched Maidstone United, one thing that I feel they need is that bit of spark and unpredictability. Too much of their play has been direct and fairly predictable in build-up, yet having a player who can play off the cuff, capable of creating something out of nothing and potentially taking a risk, and a player that is unpolished and rough round the edges could be transformative for The Stones. They’ve got a hard-working squad already, yet adding that more tricky, dynamic, skillful attacking profile could complement that quite nicely. 

The focus for Craig Fagan would be in coaching that final action and being able to get the best out of his attributes. Improving that decision-making. Gaining that intelligence in when to carry and when to move the ball on. Playing in the right areas. He has got the physical skillsets to be a real threat, and it is all about being able to platform that correctly if he is to fulfil his potential.

Alex Hernandez (Cray Wanderers – free)

The Stones have got two physical references in the form of Hamzad Kargbo and Mo Faal, and so I feel that Craig Fagan could do with adding a more athletic, agile, attacking operator to complement them. One player that has played at the level and who I have been impressed with when I have seen him is Alex Hernandez. 

Hernandez is a player that I first saw in the National League South when he was on the books at Aveley, and since then he has signed for Cray Wanderers. He is a player that I feel doesn’t get the plaudits that other players do, yet is one that I maintain as being a real handful. Strong work-rate. Physically capable. Great energy at the top end of the pitch, and intelligence in his movement and link-play. 

The forward was impressive in the year that Aveley got into the National League South play-offs under Danny Scopes, and so The Stones would be inheriting a player that has appreciation for the level. He is a strong ball-striker. Capable from distance. A good size, a willing presser, and someone that has got the physicality to be able to play back-to-goal or in playing on the half-turn. At Aveley, he provided real value in harnessing his energy in getting on the end of knock-downs and in making clever moves off the shoulder, and I think that makes him a nice complementary profile alongside Kargbo and Faal.

Hernandez comes off the back of a strong individual campaign with Cray Wanderers in which he won the Golden Boot and indeed the Players’ Player of the Year, and so they would be signing him in good form and with real confidence. He provides The Stones with a slightly different attacking profile to what they have got, and given his track record of having shown to be effective as a self-sufficient forward in sides that are fairly lacking in creativity from open play may make him a good stylistic fit in slotting into this Maidstone United side. 

If Craig Fagan could get him, I think that he would represent an astute addition. Experience of being in a side competitive at the top end of the division. Technically strong, and nice physical attributes. He has quite a nice all-round profile, and is highly coachable with a good temperament for an attacking player. I like him, and feel he can provide value in the National League South. 

Kaan Bennett (Burgess Hill Town – free)

The final player that I would look at if I were Craig Fagan is Burgess Hill Town striker Kaan Bennett. He only signed for Town in January of this year, off the back of a brief spell with Isthmian League side Lewes. 

In terms of the attributes that you look for in a young striker who could make the step up, I like what I see. He has a good physical profile, is quick, makes clever runs off the back of the opposition backline, has intelligent movement and has that ‘no fear’ approach in his play to almost play with that swagger and confidence. A naivety which – if used in the right way – can be hugely effective.  

If there is anybody that is capable of getting the best out of a young striker who has the potential to play higher, I think that former striker Fagan could be a good candidate to do that. The 21-year-old is formerly of Colchester United and so has been in and around first-team environments before, and while he has had to drop down into non-league in which to go and play his football I feel that he could be the type of project that could excite Fagan. A player to work with, improve, and get their career up and running and heading in the right direction again. 

His spell at Burgess Hill Town has been hugely impressive, and I would be intrigued to see how the youngster could fare playing at a higher level. His goal return with Town has been good, he has shown strong development in the last couple of months – as if the ‘lightbulb has come on’ in his game – and has the versatility to play in a number of different roles. He is the type of player that I can just imagine would be good if given the opportunity to play higher, and eager to grasp that chance. 

It is always difficult to predict how a striker may be able to translate their form at a lower level in stepping up, but he has come from a good stock and out of a strong professional set-up, and I think that he is worth consideration as a prospective signing. There is definitely nothing to lose in giving him the opportunity to sign for them and ‘give it a go’ in the sixth tier, and I wouldn’t be surprised – based on what I have seen, and the reports I have heard – that he could be a real capture.