George Elokobi, the former professional defender turned manager, is set to step down as manager of Maidstone United Football Club at the end of the 2025-26 season, bringing to a close one of the most remarkable managerial chapters in the Kent club’s recent history.
The 40-year-old Cameroonian-French coach, who first arrived at Maidstone in 2019 as a player, has worn many hats at the club- from captain to coach to first-team boss. His decision to leave follows financial constraints and prolonged takeover talks that limited the club’s ability to offer him a new deal. Despite these challenges, Elokobi’s impact on and off the pitch has been widely praised by club officials, players and supporters alike.
Elokobi’s association with the Stones began when he joined the club as a player in 2019. He quickly became a central figure, captaining the side and playing a vital role in their National League South title triumph in 2022 - his final act as a player being a goal in front of a sold-out Gallagher Stadium crowd.
After hanging up his boots, he stayed on in a coaching capacity before being appointed caretaker manager in early 2023 following the departure of his predecessor. Just weeks later, his position was made permanent, marking the start of his managerial tenure.
Elokobi faced the immediate task of rebuilding Maidstone following relegation, a challenge he embraced with characteristic energy. Over successive seasons, he led the Stones to play-off appearances in the National League South, demonstrating strategic acumen and an ability to galvanise his squad.
The highlight of his managerial reign -and a moment that will remain etched in Maidstone’s history- came during the 2023–24 Emirates FA Cup. Under Elokobi’s guidance, Maidstone defied all expectations to become the first team from outside the top five tiers of English football since 1978 to reach the fifth round of the competition.
The run captured the imagination of football fans across the country, beginning in the early qualifying rounds and culminating in a stunning victory over Championship side Ipswich Town at Portman Road. That shock fourth-round win made global headlines and brought unprecedented attention to the non-league club.
Although their journey eventually ended in the last 16 against Coventry City, Maidstone’s FA Cup exploits were celebrated as a testament to belief, unity and the unpredictable magic of the famous tournament.
Over the last ten games, only table-toppers Worthing have accumulated more points than Maidstone. Stones have also won six home games in a row, scoring 21 goals in the process. They are three points from the playoffs with Worthing still to visit the Gallagher Stadium, before a visit to already relegated Bath City to end the season. While it is an uphill battle to finish in the top seven, Saturday against Worthing has a 'cup final' feel.
As Elokobi prepares to depart, Maidstone United’s co-owners and fans have paid tribute to his contribution- both in terms of on-field success and the sense of identity he helped build within the club and its community. His words to supporters reflect a deeply personal connection forged over seven years: that the memories created together “will last forever.”
His next steps are yet to be revealed, but what is certain is that Elokobi leaves behind a legacy of belief, bravery and one of non-league football’s most unforgettable cup stories.
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