Burning ambition
Yemi Odubade has one ambition left in football – to fire Maidstone to the Football League.
The striker already has three promotions to his name and will retire a happy man if he can land a fourth.
At 32, he arrives at the Gallagher from Eastleigh after a successful career that’s seen him help Stevenage climb from the Conference to League 1 in successive seasons, also playing in their FA Cup victory over Newcastle.
Odubade achieved his third promotion when Eastleigh won Conference South two years ago – and the desire is there for more.
He said: “I want to get Maidstone promoted into the Football League – that’s it. If that happens while I’m here then I can say I’ve had a good career.
“That would be four promotions if I can get Maidstone up.
“That’s a serious aim – 100%. The club have got all the attributes, all the foundations to go up. The sky’s the limit.
“I had other options after leaving Eastleigh but Maidstone seems like a family club. There’s a massive following and if we do well, it will only get stronger. I hope I’m part of that in years to come.”
Pace has been a big weapon in Odubade’s armoury over the years. He’s tailored his game but is still blessed with the ability to leave defenders trailing.
New Eastleigh boss Ronnie Moore released him a fortnight ago but Odabade is confident he still has plenty to offer.
He said: “I just think it’s a love of football, ultimately. I’ve played since I can remember.
“I want to play football for as long as I can and, God willing, that’s another four years maybe.
“I’m still quick, not as quick as I was when I was a 21-year-old whippet but I’ve still got the legs for it and hope I can stay injury-free for as long as possible. As a young whippet, you just run all over the place.
“As you get older, you choose your runs and if you’re half-quick and make your runs at the right time, you’re going to have chances in any league.
“I can see we’ve got a good bunch of lads here and a lot of good ball-playing players.”
Odubade faces a quick reunion with Eastleigh and Moore, the man who released him, when Maidstone travel to Hampshire on October 4.
He said: “I wasn’t part of his plans, he shipped out some of the old guard, which is understandable. I’ve fond memories of Eastleigh but they’re going in a new direction under Ronnie Moore.”