There will be an Arsenal influence at Maidstone’s own version of ‘Super Sunday’.

New signing Phil Starkey started out as a youngster with the Gunners working under club legends Liam Brady and Steve Bould.

Starkey, 27, is likely to make his debut in place of injured right-back Aaron Simpson (knee) when United play Wingate & Finchley in their first-ever Sunday game at the Gallagher Stadium this weekend (kick-off 4pm).

He’s swapped the foot of the Ryman League Premier Division for the top after joining United from AFC Hornchurch.

Starkey was released by Arsenal as a teenager and joined Crystal Palace before dropping into non-league football.

He said: “I joined Arsenal when I was 10 or 11 and stayed until 15 or 16. I was coached by Liam Brady and, briefly, Steve Bould and being at a club like Arsenal rubs off on you.

“I like to think of myself as a neat and tidy footballer which comes from my days at Arsenal, who love technical players."

Maidstone are playing on Sunday at the request of the Ryman League as officials from Wingate observe the Jewish Yom Kippur on Saturday.

Stones boss Jay Saunders said: “Wingate are going well and scoring lots of goals but I hope we’ll get a big crowd in and everyone will get behind us.”