New head coach Mike Hebden is determined to lead Maidstone Rugby Club back into the National League.

Hebden succeeded Paul Hathaway this week having taken charge of the club’s 2nd XV last season.

The 29-year-old inherits a team which finished sixth in London 1 South and is confident he can take them to the next level.

Hebden said: “Our ultimate aim is to finish in the top-two because we want to get into the National League. It’s an exciting time. We’re ambitious and the development of the ground is a real string to our bow.

“We’re moving in the right direction to secure National League rugby and to have our own ground, wherever that may be.

“It will be tough this year because there are a lot of Kent teams in London 1
South. Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks have come up, then there’s us, Sidcup and Dover plus Gravesend.”

“I looked after the 2nd XV last year, the Mustangs, and that went pretty well.

“That was my first step into senior coaching. I’ve done a lot of coaching in junior rugby but I enjoyed working with the seniors last year and this was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down."

Hebden will be supported by assistant coach Steve Milward and player/coach Ben Massey while former Aylesford Bulls ladies coach Max Melville-Brown takes over the Mustangs.