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Maidstone United caretaker managers Simon Walton and Tristan Lewis happy to carry on

00:00, 10 January 2019

Simon Walton and Tristan Lewis are happy to continue as Maidstone caretaker managers.

The pair have been asked to carry on after taking six points from their first three games, with a further announcement expected at the end of the month.

It's an arrangement that works all round as United look to build on a promising start under their temporary bosses.

Maidstone United joint caretaker manager Simon Walton Picture: Andy Jones
Maidstone United joint caretaker manager Simon Walton Picture: Andy Jones

There's been big interest in the position but that doesn't concern Walton.

He said: "We’re happy. It seems to be going OK at the minute so I think it’s a case of don’t upset the apple cart.

"We’ve got an important couple of weeks coming up and we'll reassess from there but in general football is about taking each game as it comes, so that’s what we’ll be doing.

"I assume it’s quite a prestigious job.

"It’s a big club, we’re the fifth best supported club in the National League, so I’m sure there’s plenty of interest but as daft as it sounds I don’t really take any notice of that side of it.

"It’s the same as being a player, you do your job until someone tells you not to.

"We’ve given it our best, like we said we would, and that’s all we can do.

"It seems to be working so far but we’re not stupid, I know it doesn’t stay like this forever. There’ll be tougher times ahead, I’m sure."

Maidstone host National South club Oxford City in the FA Trophy second round on Saturday.

Tristan Lewis and Simon Walton have won two of their first three games in caretaker charge at Maidstone Picture: Andy Jones
Tristan Lewis and Simon Walton have won two of their first three games in caretaker charge at Maidstone Picture: Andy Jones

Jake Robinson and Josh Taylor, their new loan signing from Sutton, are cup-tied, but Charlie Wassmer is available after United extended his loan from Woking.

The Oxford tie is followed by a rearranged home game with National League relegation rivals Maidenhead on Tuesday night.

Walton, who is also on the lookout for a new striker, believes man-management has been key in United's improvement.

He said: "Managers that stand out to me who I played for, a lot of it’s not necessarily the coaching side or philosophies and all these big words that don’t mean an awful lot.

"It’s the other side, how you deal with people and how you get the best out of players.

"It was obvious for everybody that the environment around the place wasn’t great so we’ve tried to change it.

"We’re a long, long way from where anyone wants to be but it’s a good start

"The lads have been brilliant and we’re just trying to enjoy it as much as we can.

"It’s the best job in the world and if you don’t enjoy it, there’s no point in doing it."

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