Maidstone United duo Gavin Hoyte and George Elokobi will lift National League South trophy together

Gavin Hoyte and retiring club captain George Elokobi will lift the National South trophy together on a day of celebration at Maidstone.

A sell-out crowd of 4,175 will be at the Gallagher on Saturday to see United presented with the trophy after the final game of the season against Hampton & Richmond.

Hoyte has skippered the side for most of the season in the absence of Elokobi, who’s played only once in the league since suffering a serious groin injury last October.

Elokobi, who this week announced his retirement, aged 36, has remained a big influence behind the scenes and manager Hakan Hayrettin has decided both men should collect the championship.

“I’ve told them I want them to pick up the trophy together,” said Hayrettin, whose side clinched the title last weekend courtesy of a 3-1 win over Chelmsford, coupled with Dorking’s 1-0 defeat at St Albans.

“In George’s absence, Gavin has done an unbelievable job as captain, and been ever-present for us, and George is a mentor of the changing room. It’s right they do it together.”

That suits Hoyte, who, at 31, has achieved his ambition to win a league title after a long career that started at Arsenal and included spells at the likes of Watford and Gillingham.

He considered retirement after an unhappy spell at Dagenham but a call from Hayrettin in the summer of 2019 brought him to Maidstone and the rest is history.

The defender can’t wait for the moment he and Elokobi get their hands on the trophy.

“George has been amazing for me as club captain,” said Hoyte.

“He’s always been there for me, no matter what, I couldn’t have had a better person to help me this season.

"I’ve imagined collecting that trophy every night since we won the league. I can’t sleep at the minute, it’s