Stones working on Benton replacement

Maidstone are working hard to bring new signings to the club after losing Jon Benton. Loanee Benton was recalled by parent club Solihull Moors on Friday before joining Boreham Wood on a permanent deal. It was a blow to the Stones, with Benton bang in form and playing a key role behind top scorer Aaron Blair.

Maidstone are looking to replace the attacking midfielder as part of their ongoing push to attract players to the Gallagher Stadium. “The recruitment committee is hard at work,” said Stones manager George Elokobi. “We know we need some reinforcements in and we’re working on that as a football club.



“I can’t tell you how close we are, we just have to wait and see. “We’re always looking but we aren’t just going to sign players for the numbers. “We have to make sure it’s the right ones because what you don’t want to have is players who don’t fit into the culture, the values and the philosophy of what I’m doing as a manager and what we’re about as a football club.

“If you do that, it defeats the purpose. “We’ve got a set budget that we need to respect and operate by, so this club can be sustainable.” Benton had been with Maidstone since the start of the season, with his initial loan due to expire in January.

He’s a player they liked but National League South rivals Boreham Wood were in pole position to complete a permanent deal. “There was half a chance of signing him but before we could react as a football club, everything had been sorted out,” said Elokobi. “We always want to compete but we’ve got our limits as well and we have to respect that.

We tried but we didn’t get over the line with that one.” Elokobi praised Benton’s contribution during his four months at Maidstone. He said: “We lost him earlier than anticipated but the first thing I’ve got to say is huge respect to him.

“He’s a terrific young man and, as a footballer, he’s excellent in terms of tactically understanding the game, technically very good on the ball and he’s clever with his movement. “He’s going to be a big miss because he’s been an integral part of what we’ve been doing since August. “It’s important we thank him for his contribution and then we have to move on.

“He’s been recalled by his parent club and then there is a move that’s been done by Boreham Wood, and we have to respect that. “I wish him all the best in his new environment.”.