GEORGE ELOKOBI says they were dancing in the streets of Cameroon after non-league minnows Maidstone made FA Cup history.
The National League South side stunned League One Stevenage 1-0 to reach the fourth round for the first time.
Sam Corne, 27, converted a 45th-minute penalty to leave the sixth-tier Stones as the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, having dumped League Two Barrow out in round two.
So it was a surprise this match was not picked up by the channels broadcasting on these shores.
Boss Elokobi said: “The game may not have been televised here but it was shown abroad.
“I’m sure they were dancing in the streets in my home city of Kumba in Cameroon.
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“I told my kids before leaving home today, ‘Daddy is going to make some more history today’.
“It’s such a proud moment for me, my family, this football club, the fans and the town. We’re a non-league club that has made it into the last 32 of the FA Cup — we are back on the football map.”
Wolves cult hero Elokobi ended his playing career at Maidstone less than two years ago and only took over as manager in March.
Yet the 37-year-old has already established himself as a legend in Kent football.
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He said: “I’ve always had faith and believed in any project I’ve gone into.
“There’s no magic wand — it’s all hard work, determination, respect, humbleness, transparency, honesty and enjoyment.
“If you have all that, plus diversity and people who want to work for you, play for you and help you, anything is possible.
“This club has won a special place in my heart and I’m so pleased we can enjoy this moment together.”
Elokobi spent six years at Wolves and famously scored in a 2-1 Premier League win against Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United to end their 29-game run without a league loss in the 2011 title-winning season.
And Mick McCarthy, the manager who signed him for Wanderers from Colchester, was at Stones’ Gallagher Stadium to support his former defender.
Elokobi added: “Mick is one of my mentors in football so I was honoured he came to support me and the team today!”
Despite their incredible FA Cup exploits, UK TV rights holders BBC and ITV have so far snubbed televising their games live.
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Elokobi said: “Let’s hope they bring the TV cameras here for the next round. We deserve it. The club deserve it.
“Not only everyone in Maidstone now knows about Maidstone United but everyone in the UK and even people around the world. The magic of the FA Cup is very much alive. I’m so proud to be part of it.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
