Maidstone United manager Hakan Hayrettin says National League survival would be like winning the league in their first season back up

Maidstone boss Hakan Hayrettin says staying in the National League next season would be like winning the title.

United are gearing up for their return to non-league’s top flight after a three-year absence.

Hayrettin is closing in on his first two summer signings and remains in talks with the majority of his National South title-winning squad over new deals.

The manager is desperate to be competitive but, with the division looking tougher than ever, he has to be realistic in Maidstone’s first season back at that level.

It’s packed with big ex-Football League clubs, the likes of Notts County, Wrexham, Chesterfield, Yeovil and Southend, and they will be joined by Scunthorpe and former Premier League outfit Oldham, following their relegation.

The list goes on and could include Grimsby, should they lose this weekend’s play-off final against big-spending Solihull.

“If we stay in the league, it’s like winning the league,” said Hayrettin.

“As a manager, I want to push as much as I can and I have a vision in my mind of where we could be.

“But it’s a new league, a strong league and when you look at all the teams and the finances at their disposal, that’s why I say it would feel like winning the league if we stay up.

“The club’s self-sufficient, we’re not going to throw money at it, which is an indication that it’s going to be a challenging season.

“I’ve got no doubt in the ability of our players or what we’re going to do but when you look at the money these big clubs have at their disposal, that’s the difference.

“Everyone’s success is measured in different ways.

“Success for Wrexham is to win the league, success for Grimsby is to win the league, success for Solihull is to win the league because they have big financial backing,