The National League have scrapped transfer windows – much to Maidstone’s delight.

Stones manager Jay Saunders has welcomed the surprise move as he builds his squad for the new season.

Previously, the league operated summer and winter windows, in line with the Premier League and Football League, meaning clubs could only sign players until the end of August and throughout January.

Maidstone United manager Jay Saunders Picture: Gary Browne

It was one of the biggest challenges facing Stones following promotion to the top tier of non-league football.

But rule changes, confirmed at the annual meeting last Saturday, mean Stones remain free to make signings until the end of March.

Boss Saunders said: “The transfer window going is a massive bonus. With the window in place, it makes life that little bit harder, especially in your first year up. We’ve got untried players and we need to see whether they can do it at that level.

“When you’ve only got until the end of August to bring people in, you end up running with a bigger squad in case there are lads who can’t make the step up.

“Now it’s gone it takes the pressure off because we’ve got a lot of young lads who haven’t played at this level before.

“You want them to do well but there might be one or two who can’t do it. With no window, it means we can be a little more patient.”