George Elokobi says he will stop his Maidstone players going over to the fans at full-time after disrespect from the terraces.

Elokobi was unhappy with the reaction of a section of home supporters following the goalless draw with Hampton & Richmond in National League South on Tuesday night.

He voiced his displeasure to those he felt had walked away from the team as they approached the Genco Stand, saying they are not true Maidstone fans.

Elokobi has always encouraged players to show their appreciation but he’s ready to halt what’s become a Gallagher Stadium tradition.

“The true Maidstone fans stood back and they applauded our players,” said Elokobi.

“But when our players come towards our fans to applaud them and they walk away, they’re not going to be getting that privilege any more from us. I’m going to take it away.

“I’ve created it and I will take it away and I let the fans know about it. The true fans that stood back and clapped our players, I truly respect them for that.

“But the ones that were walking away and turning their backs, they are not true Maidstone fans.

“I will stop our players going over until they start showing the respect our players give them.

“They need to reciprocate that, win, lose or draw.

“They have to respect our players.

“We’ve got a new set of players and is that the sort of image they’re painting towards them? I don’t think it’s fair on them.

“We are a new team, we’re gelling and I let the fans know about it.

“I wear my heart on my sleeve and I say it as it is.

“It’s all good staying back at full-time after all we did last season and the memories we created.

“We’re three games into the season and they think we should win the league now? Come on. It doesn’t work like that.”

Elokobi was encouraged by the performance against Hampton, which followed a 2-1 home defeat against Truro at the weekend.

Maidstone were solid at the back but couldn’t breach a stubborn away defence who set out to frustrate.

“It’s a good point against a good side,” said Elokobi.

“Hampton & Richmond played well and they deserved a point.

“The only thing lacking in our play was the finish and the end product.

“It’s by far the best we’ve defended our box in pre-season and into the season.

“From Saturday, when we couldn’t defend our box from restarts, I thought we were excellent in terms of being a unit, a team.

“The distances were right, we stopped them playing to their strengths and we were in control throughout.

“I was extremely proud that we kept a clean sheet and there were lots of combinations throughout the units.

“We moved the ball better than we did on Saturday and we got in the final third and there were lots of entries into their box.

“The only thing lacking was a finish. However, that’s going to come.”

Maidstone know teams will come to the Gallagher Stadium looking to keep things tight and give nothing away.

It’s a challenge they’ll have to overcome.

Elokobi said: “That’s what teams do when they come here.

“I’m sure Alan Julian (Hampton manager) was pleased with the point.

“Like he said after the game, coming to the Gallagher and getting a point is a credit to him and his backroom staff and his team, and that’s what we’ve got to understand here.

“Teams are going to come here, they’re going to try and frustrate us and we need to find that cutting edge to ensure we can take three points but it’s a point in the right direction at this stage of the season.”