Captain George Elokobi signs new contract at Maidstone United
12:00, 23 June 2021
Maidstone United captain George Elokobi is staying at the Gallagher Stadium.
The former Wolves defender, 35, has signed a new contract keeping him at the club until the end of next season.
“I’m absolutely delighted to get this over the line,” Elokobi told Stones TV. "I can’t wait to get going.
"It’s a long time since we’ve kicked a football competitively at the Gallagher Stadium and I’m looking forward to having another season under my belt here and leading this fantastic football club.
"When you begin a season you want to finish it properly and it’s been unfortunate with the Covid situation that the last two seasons have been cut short.
"Hopefully when we start in August this season, we can finish in May. Fingers crossed."
Elokobi retains the club captaincy and it's clear the role means a lot to him.
He said: "It’s a very unique role. A lot of people think it’s just being on the football pitch, leading the team, but there’s more to it than that.
"It’s about off it as well, the interaction with the fans but also around the community to make sure you lead by example."
That interaction with supporters shone through in Elokobi's first year at the Gallagher and he missed them last season, with matches played behind closed doors.
"It will be lovely to have the fans back and try to have that feelgood factor again," he said.
"I know we can’t hug, we can’t touch at the moment but hopefully there will be that closeness and that connection to get them happy again and get into that positive energy that I bring.
"We missed them a lot last season."
Elokobi will continue to work with the club's academy as part of his new deal.
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