Stones wait on Collin

MAIDSTONE United will not break the bank in their attempts to beat Kent rivals Dover to the signature of striker Frannie Collin.

Stones boss Jay Saunders has offered Collin (pictured below) a deal but the 26-year-old is believed to be considering a return to Crabble three years after he left to join Tonbridge.

Saunders said: “I’ve had a little chat with Frannie but nothing’s agreed. I’ve made him an offer but he’s got lots of offers on the table.

“Dover have made him an offer. We’re Ryman Premier and when you’re competing with teams like that, you’re up against it.

“We’re not going to pay silly money, we’ll do things sensibly. I’ve put our case across and we’ll have to wait and see.”

Saunders is also in talks with another striker and he is waiting to hear whether Ade Olorunda, Dan Stubbs and Alex Brown are going to sign new deals at the Gallagher Stadium.

He said: “Alex Brown wants to go back into full-time football. I’ve made Dan Stubbs an offer but he’s not accepted it and wants to get back to me.

“Ade used to travel up with his brother (Tim, released by Maidstone last week) but I’m hopeful all three will sign.”

Maidstone this week signed 19-year-old midfielder Fabio Saraiva, who impressed Saunders while playing against the Stones for Merstham.

Meanwhile, academy striker Alfie Pavey has left the club to take up a two-year scholarship with Championship club Millwall.

Pavey scored 124 goals in youth football last season and Saunders admitted he had mixed feelings about the teenager’s exit.

He said: “It’s good news for him but I’m a bit gutted. I saw him playing at Soccer Elite with Kaiyne Woolery and I invited them both down last preseason. Alfie was going to be involved with the squad this year.” Eight members of Maidstone’s squad penned new deals this week. Paul Booth, Ian Draycott, Rory Hill, Danny Lye, Charlie Mitten, Tommy Osborne, Michael Phillips and Jerrome Sobers signed up.