Peter Taylor has hailed Bill Williams' "incredible service" to Maidstone United as preparations continue for his testimonial.

Taylor and Williams team up in the dugout for a match against a side managed by Jay Saunders and Steve Watt at the Gallagher Stadium on Friday, July 8 (7.30pm).

The testimonial marks Williams' 50-year association with the club, and former players taking part include Alex Flisher, Tom Mills, Blair Turgott, Alex Brown, Stuart Lewis, Will De Havilland and Jay May.

Taylor, the former Tottenham and England winger, signed for Maidstone, then managed by Williams, in 1982.

The pair have been close ever since, with Taylor full of admiration for the Stones chief executive.

“I’ve really good memories of Maidstone and of Bill,” Taylor, 69, told the club website.

“I was finishing pro football with Leyton Orient in 1982 and that’s when Bill first signed me for Maidstone.

“He just knew how to handle an old player.

“I was very impressed with his man-management, his knowledge and his contacts.

“He’s given a lot of clubs very good service but he’s given Maidstone incredible service.

“He’s been absolutely outstanding.

“He’s worked his socks off the whole time, he’s probably never, ever been a massive earner, he’s just given his heart and soul to the club.

"If there’s one bloke who deserves a full house on Friday July, 8, it’s Bill Williams.

“To go back 50 years with a club is incredible.

“He’s a good man to work for and you couldn’t ask for better service than he’s given Maidstone.

“He’s very good at what he does, it doesn’t surprise me that the club is growing all the time.

“Football can be a cruel old game sometimes but it can also be a brilliant game and isn’t it fantastic that Maidstone have just got their promotion, with Haks (manager Hakan Hayrettin) and Terry (Harris, No.2) doing a brilliant job there.

“I’m sure that will help with interest in Bill’s game - there couldn’t be a better time for his testimonial.

“I’m delighted to be involved. I spoke to Jay Saunders the other day - everybody’s looking forward to it.”

Tickets for Bill Williams' testimonial are priced £15 adults and £10 under-16s and are available here.

They are also on sale in the club shop at the Gallagher Stadium from 4.30-6.30pm tomorrow (Wednesday).