Sam Corne is relishing his return to full-time football with Maidstone United.

The midfielder captained Ashford to the Bostik South East play-off final last season and has stepped up two divisions to be part of another promotion push at the Gallagher Stadium.

Corne, the former Welling and Braintree player, can’t wait to get started.

He said: “Towards the back end of the season Hakan Hayrettin got in touch with me. I know him from Braintree and he asked about my thoughts on next year.

“I had a few different options so I had to weigh up what’s best for me, with my work as well, and this allows me to still work (as a football coach).

“With Maidstone being quite close in a higher league, it was the ideal scenario.

“As a player, I still want to improve so training three days will only give me that opportunity more. I want push on – hopefully even further.”

Corne describes himself as a box-to-box midfielder with a great work ethic and a real eye for goal.

“My time at Ashford was unbelievable,” he said.

“Gary Alexander brought me in and since then the fans have been great. It’s a shame we didn’t go up, but it was a good step in my career whereby I’ve done well and thoroughly enjoyed my time.

“Tommy Warrilow (the Ashford manager) was ledge. I had a chat with him regarding next year and said I was looking to play higher.

“He said ‘that’s not a problem, I’ll happily help you with anywhere you need to go and worst-case scenario, you’ve always got Ashford to come back to if needed’.

“Maidstone are an ambitious club with a great fanbase which is a massive bonus, playing in front of such good crowds.

“Speaking to Hakan, it seems like we’re definitely looking to push and get back to where we were last year.

“I want to go to a club where we’re ambitious. We want to push boundaries.

“I’ve played this level and the league above so I want to see if I’m capable of doing it now.

“I’m older, wiser and hopefully I’ve improved whereby I should be able to establish myself in National League South.”

Corne was voted into the Bostik South East team-of-the-year by the division’s managers.

Warrilow said: “I think the boy deserves a shot and I think he will do well.

“He was a pleasure to manage, a top lad, great habits, never late and I can’t speak highly enough of him.”

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