Childhood Maidstone fan Jay Saunders will be a proud man when he sends out the team for the historic first match at the Gallagher Stadium.

A sell-out crowd of 2,226 will witness the club’s homecoming against Brighton & Hove Albion tomorrow (Saturday) – 24 years after Stones sold their old London Road ground and moved in with Dartford.

Manager Saunders said: "It will be an emotional day for so many people – certainly one of my proudest – and I’ll never forget it. To think I’m going to be the manager of the club on the day they come home is a strange feeling but it’s a pleasure to be involved.

"I used to love going to the old ground as a kid watching the likes of Steve Butler and Mark Gall. I’ve even still got all my old kits. I dug them out of the drawer the other day."

Gus Poyet’s Brighton are set to be packed with big-name players – the likes of former England left-back Wayne Bridge and ex-Manchester United keeper Thomas Kuszczak – but Saunders wants his side to put on a show.

He said: "It’s a massive occasion but there’s also a match to be played. Let’s be honest, Brighton are a quality side who play great football.

"We won’t see a lot of the ball but I want to put on a good performance to keep the fans coming back. As long as they can see how hard we’re working, I hope they’ll go home happy whatever the result.

"I haven’t thought about the starting XI yet but I’d like to show some loyalty to the players who were with us at Sittingbourne last year."

There’s another big game coming up on Tuesday night (7.45pm) when League 2 club Dagenham & Redbridge – managed by Stones’ Conference-winning manager John Still – visit the Gallagher Stadium.

Entry is pay on the door and Maidstone will face another stern test with Saunders confirming the Londoners are sending their first-team squad.

Stones launched their pre-season campaign with a 5-1 win at Kent Invicta League Bearsted last Saturday.

United have been drawn at home at Shoreham or Colliers Wood in the FA Cup preliminary round on August 25. The game will be played at Chatham Town FC as the Gallagher Stadium’s 3G pitch is ineligible for FA competitions.

Maidstone travel to Needham Market in the FA Trophy preliminary round on September 15.