Maidstone United head of recruitment Zach Foster-Crouch says the club are ‘very conscious’ of the mistakes made when last in the National League

Maidstone are determined to learn from their mistakes if they achieve promotion back to the National League.

The Stones are in contention for an immediate return after booking a National League South play-off place.

But their last experience of non-league’s top went badly wrong, going six months without a win and finishing bottom.

Poor recruitment was cited as a major factor behind their struggles, while also retaining too many of their National League South title-winning squad.

The Stones have long been planning for both scenarios - promotion or staying put for another season.

But if they were to go up, they don’t intend to repeat the errors that cost them so dearly.

“There’s always been a Plan A and a Plan B from the very start of the season,” said head of recruitment Zach Foster-Crouch, who works closely with manager George Elokobi.

“Plan A is to be in the National League next season and Plan B is how things will look if we’re in National League South again.

“We’ve always had it in our minds that we’re going off two plans.

“We’ve very conscious of the decisions that were made the last time we were in the National League and we don’t want to make the same mistakes in recruitment because that was a huge part of our downfall that season.

“If we go with Plan A, it’s about ensuring we’re going to be a side who can get 52 points to get us safe. That’s always the first objective.

“If we remain in National League South, the minimum we want is a side that can get in the play-offs.

“We have to be conscious of the boys we may lose or won’t retain in either scenario.

“We understand if we go to the National League, we’ve to be more cut-throat and ruthless in decisions we make.

“Knowing George, he’s constantly striving to get