Forwards will have to step up
MIDFIELDER GIVEN THE ARMBAND
New captain Stuart Lewis says Maidstone have to move on from Joe Pigott. Lewis was a big admirer of the AFC Wimbledon new-boy and, in an ideal world, he’d have stayed at the Gallagher. But he’s gone and it’s up to the likes of Delano Sam-Yorke, Jamar Loza and Darius Osei to provide the goals instead. Lewis said: “Pigs was excellent for us and he deserves his move to League 1 and I hope it goes well for him because he’s a good person and a good player. “But we’ve got to move on from it. We can’t be sitting here crying into our beer, we’ve got to kick on now and other people have got to step up. That’s the key to it. “People like Jamar, Delano and Daz have got to step up – we all have. “We’re disappointed Pigs has gone but our season doesn’t stop now – our season finishes at the end of April. “Other people have got to step into his shoes and I think they will.”
Stuart Lewis says it’s an honour to be Maidstone’s new skipper.
Lewis succeeds Lee Worgan, who has been replaced after two-and-a-half years with the armband.
Goalkeeper Worgan remains club captain but Stones boss Jay Saunders feels the team will benefit from having an outfield skipper.
Lewis said: “It was a massive honour to be asked. I’ve been here a year and it’s gone well.
“It’s good for me and my family because I’ve had a great time at the club and it’s a great achievement and an honour to get that armband.
“It’s nearly a year to the day since I joined and it’s been a great 12 months, firstly with staying up and then winning the playerof-the-year award and this is the icing on the cake.
“I want to kick on now and have a great end to the season.”
Worgan, who lifted the National South play-off trophy as captain, gave Lewis (pictured) his blessing
Lewis said: “Worgs is one of my best mates in the dressing room so that was the main thing, I wanted to make sure there was no problem.
“He said ‘I want you to do it’ and he’ll back me the whole way and that was brilliant.
“He’s a great person, you don’t get many friends in football and he’s definitely one for me, so I wanted to make sure that was all good.”
Lewis got the nod over Alex Wynter and believes the armband will help his game.
He said: “I’d like to think it can take me to another level.
“I think because of how I play as well, when you haven’t got the armband and you’re in the thick of it, refs don’t give you the respect they might do when you are a captain.
“I can be more of a voice on the pitch and be in and around the referee in a positive way and I think that was in the gaffer’s mind. To captain a club like this means the world to me.” Saunders said: “I just think there’s so many decisions going against us.
“I was a captain and you have that relationship with the ref from the minute you walk out on the pitch and I just think it will help us. “Lee Worgan understands and he agreed. “He’s been outstanding and he’s still a leader in the changing room.”
‘To captain a club like this means the world to me’