Premier League cult hero leaves non-league club after historic managerial spell

Maidstone United have announced that manager George Elokobi will be leaving his role at the end of the season.

Elokobi, who played 59 times in the Premier League during his playing career, has spent three years as Maidstone boss.

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The ex-defender first joined the club as a player in 2019 before eventually becoming manager in 2023, a year after retiring.

He led a rebuild for The Stones, reaching a play-off semi-final in his first season in charge before making the final last campaign.

But away from league football in the National League South, Elokobi’s biggest achievement for the club came in the FA Cup.

Maidstone made history in the 2023/24 season, becoming the lowest-ranked team since 1978 to reach the last 16 of the competition.

They beat Championship side Ipswich Town away from home to reach the fifth round in one of the biggest cup upsets in recent years.

Elokobi’s motivational coaching and team talks went viral, with his impact on the club during their historic run clear to see.

So, it is sure to be a huge loss for the Maidstone, who are still in with a chance of reaching the play-offs again, when he leaves this summer.

“Football is about making memories that will last forever,” the former Premier League cult hero and EFL legend said.

“Together through passion, values and belief, we created some magical moments that will connect us for life.

“My gratitude to our owners, Director of Football, the players and management team and all the staff at the football club and mostly to our wonderful supporters and wider community.”

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‘An immense contribution’

Maidstone’s co-owners, Oliver Ash and Terry Casey, have paid tribute to Elokobi for the impact he has had on the club.

Ash said: “I know I speak for everyone connected with the club when I say we owe George an immense amount of gratitude and respect for the hard work he put in both as a player and as our manager.

“Entrusting George with the manager’s role three years ago is certainly one of the best decisions we have made, and, while I have many fond memories from his time in charge, like many Stones supporters, I will never forget the emotion of the FA Cup win at Portman Road.”

“George has made an immense contribution to Maidstone United,” fellow co-owner Casey added. “As a player, captain, mentor and manager, he brought experience, boundless energy and a unique ability to motivate those around him.

“His successes on the pitch, both as a player and manager, are unquestionable but, for me, equally important are his successes off it.

“He has touched the lives of countless people during his time here and will be greatly missed by us all.”

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Elokobi’s career

Elokobi, who started his career at Dulwich Hamlet, made a name for himself at Wolves, becoming a beloved player for the club.

He played 105 games in all competitions for the West Midlands side across the six years he spent at Molineux.

The centre-back also spent time on loan at Nottingham Forest and Bristol City before joining another six clubs from 2014 to 2022.

As mentioned, he featured almost 60 times in the Premier League, as well as 13 times in the EFL Cup and 12 times in the FA Cup.

Elokobi’s job at Maidstone is the only managerial role of his career so far, with the last three years spent in the National League South.

He has taken charge of a total of 154 games as the Stones’ boss, winning 72 games, drawing 39 and losing 43 over his tenure.

His potentially final two games as their manager come against Woking and Bath City on April 18 and April 25.

However, if Maidstone make the play-offs, Elokobi may get the chance to take charge of some more fixtures.