Maidstone United manager George Elokobi takes his side to Dorking Wanderers and a first meeting in the dugout with Marc White
Published: 05:00, 05 November 2024
George Elokobi is looking forward to some “good banter” with rival boss Marc White when Maidstone visit Dorking in National League South tonight.
White is one of the best-known figures in non-league football, helped by the popular Bunch of Amateurs series on YouTube which follows the Wanderers’ progress.
Stones boss Elokobi has played against his sides but has never faced him as a manager before.
That will change at Meadowbank tonight (7.45pm) as United return to league action following their FA Cup first-round exit at Solihull Moors at the weekend.
White is rarely short of something to say, so it could be lively on the sidelines.
“I don’t really know him,” said Elokobi.
“Every manager manages differently and I can’t tell any manager how to manage.
“I’m sure we’ll have a good chat on Tuesday, a good laugh and good banter in the technical area because I’ve heard he’s that type of character.
“But that’s fine, he’s a good guy.”
Dorking, relegated last season after two years in the National League, and Maidstone started the campaign as two of the promotion favourites.
Wanderers are sixth, three points off the top, after a 4-3 victory at Farnborough last time out, while the Stones are 16th, albeit with games in hand following their cup run.
While it’s a clash of two of the fancied sides in the division, it’s just another game for Elokobi.
He said: “No game is bigger than any other in the National League South.
“You only get three points if you win, or a point if you draw, or zero points if you lose.
“It’s just the next game on our calendar and we’re going to try and prepare our players right for Tuesday.
“I can’t talk about promotion or what other teams are doing in their environment but it’s important we are positive in what we’re doing because anyone can beat anyone in this division.
“It’s too early to call who’s going to win the league but Dorking are a good side, they’ve got a good squad and a big budget, so everyone thinks they should be up there and rightly so, they should be.
“But, again, we’re coming up against a team and we’re going to be playing for three points, nothing more.”
Stones loanee Jon Benton is available after missing the 3-0 FA Cup defeat against parent club Solihull.
More by this author
Craig Tucker