Perri’s ready to shine
STONES YOUNGSTER KEEN FOR BREAKTHROUGH YEAR
Perri Iandolo was a kid in the crowd when the Gallagher Stadium opened - now he’s hoping to play his part on the pitch.
Iandolo, 18, grew up supporting hometown club Maidstone, who this week released a picture of a young Iandolo watching the very first game against Brighton.
A decade later he was scoring the final goal in a 6-1 friendly win against Enfield as Maidstone continued preparations for the new National League season.
Iandolo progressed through the under-16s, under-18s and under-23s to reach the first-team squad.
The midfielder was put on contract last year, without playing a league game, and has been handed the No.27 shirt for Maidstone’s return to the top flight of non-league football.
He’d love this to be his breakthrough season.
“When a local lad comes through, it’s such a good feeling for everyone in and around the club,” said Iandolo, whose older brother Ellis is carving out a successful career at Swindon after coming though the ranks at Maidstone.
“I’m born and bred in Maidstone, I grew up a Maidstone fan, I went to watch games when I could and then I joined as a player.
“The manager (Hakan Hayrettin) has said if you do well in pre-season you’ll be in and around it and might get some minutes.
“Obviously, if that’s not happening and I’m not playing, I might end up going out on loan to Conference South, but I’ve done well in the first couple of friendlies, and we’ll see how the next few go.
“It’s a really good feeling playing for your hometown club.
“Growing up here, you know a lot of supporters and to play in front of them is a such a good feeling.
“I’ve not had a chance to play in a league game yet but I hope that will come soon.”
Iandolo is able to draw on his brother’s experiences when it comes to making his way in the game. The pair are close and help each other out.
“It would be nice to follow in Ellis’ footsteps,” said Iandolo.
“He’s done well the last couple of years and it’s always good to have a brother in the game.
“He’ll tell you what you need to do and what you don’t need to do, stuff like that.
“We speak about football a lot, 100%. If he’s watching me I know he’ll be brutally honest about what I need to work on, and sometimes he asks me stuff about football as well.
“His pathway was a bit earlier than mine. He’s been playing in the Football League since he was 19 or 20, I’m not there yet.
“Everyone’s pathway is different. I’ve got time on my side.”
The National League is a good level for Iandolo to showcase his talents - a fact he’s all too aware of, should he get the chance.
“It’s like League 3, there are so many ex-Football League clubs in there,” he said. “The money flying about is crazy.
“If you have a good year, you never know what might happen. You could end up in League 2 or even one higher.”
Maidstone are at Folkestone for Ian Draycott’s testimonial on Saturday (3pm) but Sunday’s friendly at Cray Wanderers has been called off due to injuries in the home camp.
It’s the second cancellation for the Stones this week, with the friendly against Tonbridge scrapped due to the heatwave.