It’s derby day at the Kuflink Stadium this Tuesday evening as the Fleet take on Maidstone United under the lights in our first all-Kent league fixture of the season. This will be the fifth successive home meeting with Maidstone played under the floodlights, going back to the 2017/18 season.
Form guide
The Fleet turn their attention to league action once again following the heroic effort of an Emirates FA Cup exit at the weekend. Unbeaten on home soil this season, the Fleet have only suffered one defeat in the last five league matches.
Having played an extra two matches compared to the Fleet, Maidstone – whose away form is better than their home form – currently sit ninth in the League, just outside the play-off positions. A derby day defeat on Saturday at home to Tonbridge Angels, with Sean Shields netting the winner deep into added time, was their first loss in six.
Who’s who
Sam Corne is in his seventh season with the Stones. The 29-year-old club captain has made 180 appearances during his time at the club with previous spells at Welling United, Braintree and Ashford United.
Jephte Tanga, the former Fleet wide man, returned to the Gallagher Stadium in the summer. The 21-year-old has become a regular for the Stones featuring 16 times with two goals to his name this season. He originally joined Maidstone from Leyton Orient on loan before his move to Ebbsfleet in 2024.
Ant Papadopulous returned for his second spell with the club in September, on loan from Crawley Town. The 23-year-old was named player of the month in October. The central midfielder has featured 23 times in total for the Stones (seven this season) and he also played 70 times for Welling United before his move into the EFL.
The manager
George Elokobi took on his first managerial job at the Stones in 2023 and led the team to a historic FA Cup run in his first full season. The former centre back had a successful playing career, most notably with Wolves from 2008–14 where he featured 80 times for the club. The 39-year-old played over 300 professional matches in English Football.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online in advance here with prices rising at midnight. Away supporters tickets will be shut off at midnight tonight with no away tickets available on the day following guidance from the local police and security.
Home supporters can also buy on the day at our ticket windows next to the stadium reception/entrance (but not at the turnstiles themselves).
Car-parking is available for the special matchday price of £3 at Ebbsfleet International Car Park C. This is cash only and parking is available from 6pm. Please make sure you get a ticket from the steward in attendance and not from the ticketing machines which will not apply the discounted matchday price.
Remembrance week
Ahead of Remembrance Sunday, we are honoured to welcome the mayors of Gravesham and Maidstone alongside ex-services personnel and Royal British Legion members who will parade their standards ahead of a bugler playing The Last Post. We will also hold a minute’s silence before kick-off and we invite all supporters to join us in this mark of respect. The RBL will be collecting donations on the night for the Poppy Appeal, or these can also be made online here.
The Rose pub
A reminder that The Rose Pub (1 Rose Street, DA11 9EQ) is open from 11am to home supporters. Located close to both the ground and Northfleet and Ebbsfleet stations, it’s an ideal venue for that pre- and post-match drink with food available throughout the day.
Segregation
Along with police guidelines the match will be segregated.
Maidstone United fans will be allocated a section of the Swanscombe End and will have available a bar with non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages along with light refreshments and snacks, as well as a food stall that includes burgers, hotdogs, chips and more.
Fleet supporters will be allocated the Main Stand, Plough End, Geeks’ Corner and a section of the Swanscombe End and can enjoy the usual matchday drinks and refreshments facilities which include the Eat Street Van, the Social Bar, the Main Stand bar, food outlet, Main Stand Kiosk, Geeks’ Corner Kiosk and numerous pop-up bars around the home segregation area.
Programmes
Our Fleet Review programme can be pre-ordered online with your ticket, or through our online club shop here up until 1pm on matchday. In the ground, you can purchase in the club shop, just past the main turnstiles and at the Plough End social club. Please note, pre-ordered programmes must be collected from the club shop at the main reception entrance BEFORE entering the ground.
