THE man who took Maidstone United into the Football League in 1989, John Still, returns to his old club for the first time in 18 years on Thursday night.

Still will bring with him his Conference-winning Dagenham & Redbridge team to Bourne Park for a pre-season friendly.

The match will also see the comeback of joint-manager Alan Walker following a freak accident in Belfast two months ago.

Walker returned to Kent last weekend following treatment at Ireland's renowned Musgrave Park Hospital.

Stones chairman Paul Bowden-Brown said: "I'm looking forward to welcoming John Still who is well known by those supporters that were around some 18 years ago in the good old days when John was our manager.

"I congratulate him on replicating that success with Dagenham & Redbridge and thank him for bringing his team down to play our club.

"When I spoke with Alan Walker this week, he said that he wanted to be at the match and he'll be guaranteed a warm welcome. Everyone at the club looks forward to seeing him at more games while he continues his recuperation."

Kick off at Bourne Park, Sittingbourne, is at 7.45pm.