Terry Casey has urged Maidstone's youngsters to stick with the club ahead of the FA Youth Cup tie at Southend.

Scouts have visited the Gallagher Stadium to see the club’s march to the first round proper of the competition and are likely to be at Roots Hall for Tuesday’s tie.

Stones co-owner Mr Casey said: “Unless a Championship club comes forward, my advice to players would be to stay where they are highly valued and will get a chance in the first team.

“Look at Kaiyne Woolery. He left for Tamworth in the summer yet he hasn’t started a game for them.

“There’s no better non-league club then Maidstone in my opinion and if anyone below the Championship were to come in, I would always encourage players to stay where they are because our academy is a special place for developing.”

Mr Casey recalled his own FA Youth Cup memories this week, having played in a Stones side who were knocked out by Dover in the qualifying rounds in 1967.

He said: “I can empathise with our players because the FA Youth Cup was the special competition. I remember the excitement of travelling to Dover on the coach and being involved in a match that could have opened the door to the big shots of the football world.

"The pitch was incredibly heavy – Crabble had a reputation for it – and we lost 6-3."