KENT League champions Maidstone United have announced that Alan Walker and Lloyd Hume will jointly manage the first team next season.

Hume has been in charge of the team for two seasons, with the former Millwall and Gillingham player Walker overseeing coaching duties.

By joining forces, Stones chairman Paul Bowden-Brown believes it will offer the newly promoted team the best possible start to life in Ryman League Division 1 South next season.

He said: "They are both talented individuals and work together really well. By combining their strengths I think it will offer real leadership to the players as they face the challenge of a higher league."

Walker said: "Lloyd and I have worked together for many years and are totally committed to Maidstone United Football Club, as are all the coaching staff.

"It's going to be an exciting season for everyone at the club and as a champion side I hope we'll hit the ground running and make our mark in the league."

Hume added: "Consolidation is what we will be looking for and a mid-table finish would be OK. Although in saying that, our personal expectations will always be to win whatever league we are competing in."