Reluctant farewell
Delano Sam-Yorke wants to give Maidstone fans a parting gift before returning to Woking.
He completes his two-month loan when Stones face National League relegation rivals Southport at the Gallagher tomorrow (Saturday).
The big striker would like to stay but Woking, who are also battling the drop, are taking him back.
The decision comes as no surprise – Sam-Yorke has scored three goals and been a key man in Stones’ four-match unbeaten run – but it leaves him in a strange position. All he can do is make the most of his final appearance and help United move nine points clear of Southport.
He said: “I got the phone call a few days ago. Garry Hill, the manager, decided that when my loan’s finished, he’s going to call me back.
“It’s kind of out of my hands, I suppose I expected it. He just wanted me to get out and get some games and get some confidence.
“I would prefer to stay if I’m honest. I’m enjoying my football, all the lads are great, the management team’s great, they’ve welcomed me with open arms and I’d be happy to stay.
“It’s a bit chop and change coming here, doing well and having to go back.
“It’s a bit unsettling as well, especially when you’re playing well and enjoying your football.
“I’m feeling sharp and I’m just working hard for the team, trying to keep us in the league.
“I approach the Southport game the same – work hard for the team and just get the three points.
“If I score, I score. As long as we win, that’s the main thing.”
Sam-Yorke’s Woking contract expires at the end of the season and he’d be open to joining Stones on a permanent deal in the summer.
He could yet end up playing against them as United go to Woking on March 25.
He said: “Imagine that. It would be a bit of a weird one but that’s football. Players do that week in, week out, they play against their friends.”
Stones boss Jay Saunders wanted to keep Sam-Yorke but knew the chances were slim.
Whether Woking want to play him or simply keep him out of Maidstone’s clutches is anyone’s guess.
Saunders said: “Who knows? Obviously, he wasn’t part of their plans when they let him come here.
“The way he’s playing for us, he wasn’t playing like that there because I doubt they’d be getting rid of him.”