In 2004 Maidstone United Raiders was formed with just four members. At that time, there were hardly any disability football teams or a league and even fewer disability coaches or players. In 2024, with the Raiders celebrating their 20th Anniversary, it’s a very different place – it’s a thriving community with 20 teams and Maidstone United Raiders is the biggest club in Kent.
Raiders also has the only two all-female teams in the adult mixed league of 36 teams and is setting history not only for the club but also the Kent Disability League. Not only have the players enjoyed enormous success on the football pitch, but some have used their involvement as a springboard to other areas. In a recent interview on 04 April on BBC Radio Kent (The Wake Up Call – 04/04/2024 – BBC Sounds scroll to 1.25 hrs in) Lorraine celebrated the achievements of players going to play at Euro level in the Football Golf and also for the England Deaf Squad.
Started by John and Tyke Harvey, with Mike Littleboy (Chair SITC), Raiders had a couple of homes at Bower Grove School, South Park and Oakwood Park before moving to the Gallagher Stadium where they now train. They had the honour of being the first team to play at the stadium in 2012 breaking in the pitch for the first team.
Lorraine has been involved with Raiders for 17 years and has seen the growth in the club and, following Maidstone United’s cup run, interest in joining Raiders is higher than ever. Set up as a safe and inclusive space for children with a disability to play football, it boasts a trophy haul of over 250 trophies in 20 years with a variety of both league and cup competitions, making it easily the most successful of the Maidstone United teams.
“We’ve played in the FA People’s Cup and won the competition two years in a row and collected the trophy at Wembley. We’re also the first to win the Ishman Disability Cup. We’ve beaten Robbie Savage’s celebrity team and have taken players to watch Maidstone in the FA Cup rounds at Coventry and Ipswich and we’ve absolutely loved every minute of it” Lorraine said.
As much as it is about the team’s success on the pitch, arguably a greater success is what happens off the pitch. Lorraine explained that as much as the Club is focused on personal player development, it is the support, friendship and personal growth that is also rewarding to see. Close family friendships have been formed which are invaluable when a child is going through a difficult medical diagnosis and people don’t feel so isolated which can be common if your child is different to ‘society norm’. For the players themselves, Lorraine points to the growth in their self-esteem, confidence and the life-skills they develop through participating in sport. “We have a lot of people involved in match days, helping out at turnstiles, with stewarding and cleaning as well as some who get involved with coaching for the Raiders. It’s just brilliant”. This sentiment is echoed by Raiders’ Player Hope Stevens when she explained in an article on BBC News just how much her involvement with Raiders has helped increase her confidence and how much she values the friendship she has made through football.
None of this would be possible without the support of MUFC Board and the army of volunteers involved over the last 20 years ranging from admin ladies, coaches and those that help get the players to and from training and matches as well as the club mascot.
Maidstone United Raiders is a 3-star accredited FA Club meaning it has the Football For All status and is the FA’s highest award for clubs.
If you want to find out more about Maidstone United Raiders and be part of the club’s story, contact Lorraine on 07880 907 188.
Photos courtesy of BBC Radio Kent
