Find local news in Kent

Home   Maidstone   Sport   Article

Maidstone United captain Blair Turgott will decide his future this summer

00:00, 26 April 2019

updated: 09:15, 26 April 2019

Maidstone captain Blair Turgott says it would be disrespectful to think about his future before the end of the season.

Winger Turgott will be a man in demand after scoring 15 National League goals in a relegated side.

No one expects him to stay at the Gallagher but he wants to finish the season on a high at home to Aldershot on Saturday (12.30pm).

Blair Turgott scores for Maidstone at Chesterfield - his first league goal after the knee injury Picture: Steve Terrell
Blair Turgott scores for Maidstone at Chesterfield - his first league goal after the knee injury Picture: Steve Terrell

Turgott said: “I think it’s unfair and it would be disrespectful to the club for me to be looking around at where I can go next season.

“I’ve got a relegation to my name now, so it’s completely different.

“Just out of respect for the club I wouldn’t try to speak to any clubs yet.

“I’ve spoken to the gaffer here.

“He wants me to stay but he was honest, he said he knows there’s going to be sniffs from higher leagues but that’s something I’m going to have to revisit.

“The most important thing for me is whatever team I’m playing at, I’ve got to give 100% and if I’m looking at where I’m going to be next season then I’m not doing it right.

“I’ve got to be as professional as I can to finish off this season as well as I can and help the team.”

Blair Turgott goes for goal against Braintree on Good Friday Picture: Sean Aidan
Blair Turgott goes for goal against Braintree on Good Friday Picture: Sean Aidan

No Maidstone fan would begrudge Turgott a move and the former West Ham youngster still has ambitions to return to the Premier League one day.

He said: “It’s a long career but it’s a short career at the same time so you’ve always got to do what’s best for you, best for your family, best for everyone.

“I’m not getting ahead of myself and saying I can play here or play there but every player wants to play as high as they can.

“I want to play in the Premier League. I’m 24 now so I need to try and push up a few steps to do that.

“I started at West Ham but I was in the 23s and went on loan a few times and, to be fair to Maidstone, I’ve found myself a home here.

“Everyone’s been great with me, they gave me the captain’s armband, which is a great privilege, so it’s the club will always have a place in my heart.”

Blair Turgott reckons Maidstone would have stayed up had he remained fit Picture: Steve Terrell
Blair Turgott reckons Maidstone would have stayed up had he remained fit Picture: Steve Terrell

Turgott believes Maidstone would have stayed up had he not spent three months out with a knee injury.

He had 12 league goals by the time he hobbled off against Eastleigh at the end of November and United struggled without him.

Turgott said: “I’ll be honest with you, I think if I didn’t get injured we would have stayed up.

“I’ve full confidence in my ability, I was flying high, doing well, scoring goals, helping the team and the team was in a better place.

“I’m happy because I’ve got 15 goals now in the league, which is good considering I’ve had three months out.

“I can only draw positives from that but if I’d stayed fit I reckon we would have stayed up and I might have scored 20 or 25.”

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More