John Still and Hakan Hayrettin link up at Maidstone United

Maidstone United have brought in John Still as their new head of football after the 68 year old left Barnet FC today. He will be responsible for the team selection and recruitment of all professional players at the club.

The man who took the Stones into the Football League 30 years ago has come out of retirement to take up an 18-month deal as Head of Football.

Still retired from football management last month following a career spanning more than 40 years and 2,000 matches but after talks with the club’s owners, he will be back in the dugout for Saturday’s away match against Leyton Orient.

Having won the National League a record three times – firstly with Maidstone and then with Dagenham (2007) and Luton Town (2014), he faces a different challenge as the Stones battle to retain their status at the top of the non-league game.

Club chief executive Bill Williams said: “I am absolutely delighted John has agreed to join us.

“He’s one of the best managers to ever grace the non-league game and his record speaks for itself.

“For those who followed the Stones in the 80s, John’s place in our club’s history is assured and now a new generation of our supporters will get to see the enthusiasm, passion and skill this man has for the game.”

Joining John at the Gallagher is Hakan Hayrettin who joins as first team Head Coach after he left as Braintree Town manager today.

The pair worked together at Luton Town for two and a half seasons, during the time when the Hatters secured promotion back into the Football League in 2014.

A midfielder in his playing days, Hayrettin has spells at clubs including Barnet, Cambridge United and Wycombe Wanderers. He moved into management in 2003 and, either side of his time at Luton, managed at Waltham Forest, Thurrock, Grays Athletic and Braintree Town.

Completing the managerial trio is Simon Walton, who takes up a player/coach role within the new set-up.

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