Joe Howe has described how he fell out of favour at Ebbsfleet before being told he wouldn’t be offered a new deal.

The 28-year-old spent six years with Fleet and played 234 times for the club although those appearances became increasingly sporadic towards the end of last season.

After returning from injury Howe started just four of 12 league games in February and March although he did start all three play-off matches with Matt Fish and Bryan van den Bogaert unavailable.

Howe met with Fleet boss Daryl McMahon days after their final defeat to Maidstone and was told he could find a new club.

He said: "When I went into the meeting, I was thinking it could go either way, I could either get a new deal or it could be my time finished because of the way my second half of the season went.

"It was a turbulent second half of the season and I was disappointed to get injured first of all, lose my place in the team and only play bits of games, in and out of the team.

"It was a bit frustrating in the end so I wasn’t sure how it would go.

"I was disappointed when it came to the point where I was being completely left out of the squad.

"I did have a chat with McMahon over the course of the season about this, he gave me his reasons and whether or not I agreed with him, that was another matter.

"He gave his reasons for why I wasn’t in the side and all I could do was get myself back in training, back fit and prove I should be playing week in, week out.

"I feel that when I got my opportunity, I played well, helping the team keep two clean sheets (against Gosport and Maidenhead in March). To be dropped again the game after, away at Bath, was a little bit disappointing.

"From then, my relationship with McMahon went a little bit... I wasn’t sure where I stood. Was I still in his plans or wasn’t I? I wasn’t sure.

"I kept myself working hard in training as normal and every game I played, I tried to give everything I could but I seemed to drop out of favour with him."

Howe played no part in five of Ebbsfleet’s last eight league games but found himself back in the team for the play-offs.

He said: "Before the last game of the season at home to Eastbourne, I wasn’t having much of a sniff around the side. It was hard. My head was in a mixed place.

"I was called back into the side for the last four games, including the play-offs and again all I could do was give everything I could to help the team win the play-offs and get promotion. Unfortunately that didn’t happen.

"As much as I would love to be here, I think maybe it was time (to move on). It seemed like I fell out of favour with McMahon and maybe it’s now time for a new challenge, a new motivation for me.

"I can go out with my head held high. I gave everything I could for the club for six years and I walk out with pride.

"I’ve had phone calls from a few clubs, some in the division above. It’s about what is the right move for me.

"It’s a new challenge, new surroundings, a new motivation and I’ll try to build a reputation like I did at Ebbsfleet."