LAMAR REYNOLDS is the busiest man in Maidstone right now.
Before sitting down to speak with SunSport, the 28-year-old was called to film for ITV ahead of Monday’s blockbuster FA Cup clash with Coventry City.
And prior to that he had spent a full day at work.
Outside of football, Reynolds is a social support worker. When he isn’t training with Maidstone – usually three-to-four times a week – he spends time providing assistance for young adults with autism.
“On a normal day I would maybe get in at 9am/9:30am or so and I get the guys ready. We do a bit of stretching and some fun exercises to get them ready for the day,” the forward revealed.
“Maybe head out, go to a museum or the zoo if the weather is nice. Swimming even, then we go for lunch after that. After lunch we go and end our day with either another activity, like bowling or TopGolf, something that will keep them on their feet and keep them excited.
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“Then we’re pretty much done by around 3pm, get back to the base and let them have their chilled moments. They’re all quite close with each other, there’s a lot of friendship so they have their own time.”
The group also bond over their love of football, with some supporting both Maidstone and Reynolds’ former club, Leyton Orient.
Reynolds continued: “They’re big fans, they are big football fans! There’s a few fans of Leyton Orient as well so a few of them knew that I played for the club before and they talk to me about that quite often.
“They watched the game (vs Ipswich) and they’re buzzing for Monday to come. They can’t wait to see it as well. I’ve got them on my back so that’s another big positive.”
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The Londoner hit the headlines last month when he scored for Maidstone against Ipswich in the fourth round of the FA Cup, sparking wild celebrations from the away end at Portman Road.
Just before half time, Reynolds was sent through on goal by team-mate Liam Sole.
He latched onto the pass over 30 yards out, taking a single touch on his right foot before chipping goalkeeper Christian Walton with his left.
Reflecting on the moment of magic, Reynolds admitted: “Initially I had a very different finish in mind. Once Liam Sole played the ball across to me and put me in on goal, everything went completely quiet.
“As much as there was so many people around, everything was silent and it was just like me versus the goal and the goalkeeper.
“It felt a bit slow. It was a bit nerve wracking. But I thought about doing a different type of finish in terms of opening up my body and maybe going for a safer option.
“But then the keeper came off his line and I think that made my mind up – I had to go high and try to get it over him.
“Luckily as soon as it left my feet I knew it was going in so I just burst off in celebration. It was an extraordinary moment that I will probably never forget.”
Jeremy Sarmiento equalised for Ipswich in the 56th minute before Sam Corne scored the winner with less than half an hour to play.
The following day, Maidstone were drawn against Coventry.
George Elokobi’s side were last out of the pot, but fans appeared far from pleased.
Local supporters that had flocked to the Gallagher Stadium on January 28 wanted to see the Stones drawn against a Premier League side.
And to an extent, so did the players themselves.
However, Reynolds insists they will travel to Coventry and enjoy the occasion regardless.
He added: “I mean, to be fair after the Stevenage game we probably wanted a big draw from then because I think we made history from then. So that would’ve been nice to have got a big draw, but hey, we got Ipswich and somehow we got through to the next round so we were more than happy with that.
“But yeah, we expected a bigger opponent, maybe from the Premier League, but Coventry is still a huge club with massive ambition so we take that as a tough game to go to like any other. We’re just going to go there, see what we can do and most definitely enjoy the occasion.
“We just have to look at it as another game. It’s 11 men versus 11 men so there’s nothing to fear, nothing to be afraid of.
“They’ve obviously been in great form so we give them that respect. We have so many people behind us and looking at how far we’ve come already we’re just so impressed with ourselves that right now we’re just ready to go again and see what we can do.”
Reynolds has enjoyed plenty of career highlights over the last 13 years.
At just 15-years-old he made his senior debut for Barking FC and went on to play for non-league sides Grays Athletic, Aveley and Brentwood Town.
After enjoying his most prolific season with Brentwood he was invited to Jamie Vardy’s V9 Academy, a scheme set up by the Leicester City legend with the hope of giving non-league players the opportunity to be scouted by professional clubs.
Reynolds spent five days at Manchester City’s Etihad campus and was scouted by League Two side Newport County.
He was later loaned to Leyton Orient and played under the guidance of former Tottenham defender Justin Edinburgh.
A stint at Dagenham and Redbridge then followed before he signed for Concord Rangers.
The forward helped Concord reach the FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium in 2021 and remained at the club until the following summer when he joined Braintree.
Now, less than one year into his time at Maidstone, he is eyeing a spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Should Maidstone beat Coventry in another huge upset on Monday, Reynolds wants to take on a Premier League giant.
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He admitted: “Personally I would like a Manchester United, Liverpool or Manchester City even. That would be nice.
“I think we were close to getting one of the big boys but obviously it fell to what it is now. We wanted one of the Premier League big boys but whoever we get we’re more than happy with. It’s a pleasure to be in the position we’re in.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
