Craig Stone is determined to repay the Ebbsfleet fans for all the support they gave him during his 18-month battle to recover from a broken leg.

The 21-year-old midfielder, who scored Fleet’s winner in their 2-1 victory at Dorchester last Saturday, broke his leg in a FA Trophy quarter-final game at Wrexham in February 2009 and then broke the same leg again during his recovery last autumn.

He said: "The Fleet fans have been brilliant. I think I have got a strong relationship with them and now I want to repay them by playing as well as I can.

"Last Saturday’s goal was the first I have ever scored for Ebbsfleet and when you add the fact it was also the winner and quite a decent finish, then you can imagine what a special moment it was for me."

Stone (pictured) began his comeback six months ago by making several appearances for Maidstone but admitted: "I was only 60 per cent fit and struggling a bit.

"I was out for a long time and although I never thought about packing it in altogether, there were times when I wondered whether I would ever get back to the level I was at before I had the injury.

"But now that I’m fully fit again I feel I can go and become a better player than I was before the injury. I’m only 21 after all."

Stone also believes that the Fleet have made an encouraging start to the season and is hoping that they break their Blue Square Bet South home duck against Weston at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

"The boys know we have got to start winning our home games but we’re confident we will get that first win against Weston-super-Mare on Saturday."