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New signing Jermaine McGlashan has revealed he turned down National League rivals Woking to sign for Ebbsfleet.
The 31-year-old was a free agent after being released by League 2 Swindon at the start of the month.
But being close to home and working with new Fleet director of football Steve Lovell proved enough to convince him to join Ebbsfleet.
“I spoke to Woking and other clubs, there was a chance for me to wait and maybe speak to one or two League clubs,” explained McGlashan.
“But the fact Steve came here as well, we had a good chat, and the direction the club is going to go in is a big challenge I couldn’t turn down. I’m up for the challenge.”
The move means McGlashan can spend more time at home, having spent the first half of this season on loan at Chesterfield.
Based near the Fleet’s training ground in West Malling, he’s hoping that a settled base will help bring out the best in him.
“I’ve been up north a lot so it’s nice to be local and be with my family,” he said.
“It’s on my doorstep, the last five or six years I’ve not had that so my missus is happy that I’m coming home earlier. It always helps when things are going right (outside of football), and you’re not hearing your missus in your ear!
“I’m not doing the commuting and I think it can help. When you get a bit older, you’re more settled and that’s been a massive thing.
“The boys and the gaffer have been great. After the first day of training I said I want to keep this team in the league, and crack on next season. Hopefully things can go right for me.”
McGlashan played as a central striker on his Ebbsfleet debut – and he feels a more attacking role will get the best out of him, in contrast to how he was deployed at Chesterfield.
“In terms of the system we played at Chesterfield, a 3-5-2, it probably didn’t get the best out of myself in an attacking sense,” said McGlashan.
“In terms of where we are in the league it is similar here but the way the gaffer wants to play will suit me more.
“I like to think I showed a bit of it against King’s Lynn. It was a bit of a foreign position up front, although I’ve played it a few times. But in terms of that work-rate, I’ll always offer that and give my best.”
McGlashan could yet send his former club Chesterfield down at Ebbsfleet’s expense if things go to plan – although that’s not what is driving McGlashan on.
“A few people have texted me and said it could be written but I’m not worried about that,” he said.
“I’m more worried about us staying up so we’ll see what happens at the end of the season.”
