FORMER Colchester United defender George Elokobi led sixth tier Maidstone United to the FA Cup fourth round for the first time in their history as they clinched a stirring 1-0 win over League One Stevenage at the Gallagher Stadium.
Sam Corne's penalty just before half-time proved enough for the National League South side as Steve Evans' men saw both Jamie Reid and Kane Hemmings hit the woodwork early in the second half.
Elokobi is boss at Maidstone working alongside another former U's favourite Craig Fagan and the pair are now looking forward to Monday's fourth-round draw.
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Elokobi, who clocked up nearly 100 appearances for the U's in his two spells for the club, won promotion with Colchester in 2006 under Phil Parkinson after joining them from non-league outfit Dulwich Hamlet, two years earlier.
Scenes in the @maidstoneunited dressing room 🤩#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/XJifNLNgz4
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 6, 2024
Elokobi told BBC Final Score: "It binds us together forever.
"This is history, for the community, for everyone that's associated with Maidstone United Football Club.
"Most especially, it's for our football club, for our owners who are very, very good people and have kept this club afloat and sustainable; they do their best for the community and days like this don't happen too often.
"It's an historic moment for Maidstone United Football Club, for our players, their families, for my backroom staff and all of those who work behind the scenes, to make sure that today was a success.
"This result binds us together forever."
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 6, 2024
Just lovely words from Maidstone United boss George Elokobi 💛🖤#BBCFootball #FACup #BBCFinalScore pic.twitter.com/Mo1LHNCXcp
"For myself also, for my community back in Cameroon and my family, my kids.
"It's important that we're enjoying this moment - you saw the scenes here at the end of the game, just to see the next generation, the younger generation, everyone coming in together to celebrate a momentous win like this against a very, very established League One side.
"It's what the FA Cup is all about - the magic of the FA Cup is very much alive."
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