Former Maidstone favourite Alex Flisher has told supporters to get behind manager Jay Saunders and his players.

Flisher, a Stones legend after 275 appearances in eight years for his hometown club, has read the recent criticism after 17 National League games without a win.

And it doesn’t sit well with the winger, who was in the crowd for the 3-2 defeat by Tranmere last weekend.

He’s appealed to supporters to rally round Saunders and the players after watching his old club for the first time since joining Margate last summer.

Flisher said: “I’ve read a few things online and a lot of fans are kicking up, saying it’s not good enough and Jay should go.

“The club wouldn’t be at this level if it wasn’t for Jay so they’ve got to stick with him.

“At the start of the season I looked at the table and I think Maidstone were fourth but they weren’t going to finish fourth.

“People have short memories.

“Last year we had a big dip, same sort of time, from over Christmas to around March and then I don’t think we lost more than three or four games.

“They’ll turn it around. One win and it won’t be forgotten but you can kick on and you get a bit of confidence.”

Flisher saw more than enough against Tranmere to convince him Maidstone will avoid relegation - but they need everyone on side.

They’re five points clear of the relegation zone going into Saturday’s away game at Solihull Moors and host league leaders Macclesfield on Tuesday night.

He said: “There’s a lot of boys in that changing room who have been about and played at a good level.

“The fans need to stick with it and cheer them on and not slag them off on social media.

“People have got families and what gets put on Facebook, people read.

“They need to take a long, hard look at where the club were.

“When I started we were in the Ryman South.

“You’re now in the Conference, you’re getting over 2,000 people every week.

“No disrespect to the club, you’re not going to be pushing for promotion because some of the clubs in this league are massive.

“Jay’s done well. He’s always done well with what he’s got so stick with him, he’ll turn it around. You need to have a lot of faith in him.”