Maidstone United's league game against Braintree and FA Trophy tie with Poole Town called off after positive Covid-19 tests at the Gallagher

By: Craig Tucker ctucker@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 22:30, 09 December 2020

Updated: 08:09, 10 December 2020

Maidstone have gone into self-isolation after a player and a member of their support staff tested positive for Covid-19.

It means Saturday’s home match against Braintree is postponed, with Tuesday’s FA Trophy second-round tie against Poole also called off.

Maidstone United's Gallagher Stadium Picture: Keith Gillard

The isolation period finishes on December 19.

Stones chief executive Bill Williams said: “This is a position no club wants to find themselves in.

“We have followed the guidance since our return to training back in mid-August and will of course comply with the period of self-isolation.

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“It is a timely reminder that this virus hasn’t gone away and indeed Kent has seen a significant increase in cases over recent weeks.

“I send my best wishes to our players, management and staff, and hope we can all return safe and well from the 19th.”

Speaking last week, manager Hakan Hayrettin praised the club’s Covid-19 practices.

He said: “If anyone knows Bill Williams, he’s got his hands in everything to make sure the club represents itself in the right way, on and off the pitch.

"With this pandemic we’ve worked very hard to put things in place to stop us from having a bout of Covid around us, and I think everyone’s done fantastically well.

“We’re a Tier 3 club at the moment but the procedures in place at our football club, I think we’ve done really well.”

Maidstone are the latest Kent club hit by Covid-19, with Dover, Ebbsfleet and Welling all seeing matches postponed this season.