Departing striker Matt McClure says he will be back to see Maidstone win promotion.

McClure is joining Gloucester City after rejecting a new deal at the Gallagher.

The 10-goal forward, whose Stones contract expires today (Thursday), feels he's leaving behind a squad who are good enough to take the club back to the National League.

McClure, 28, said: "It was a tough decision to leave.

"It's just circumstances, really, why a deal hasn't been done here but it's one of those things.

"The club will carry on and get in the play-offs and get promoted, I'm sure.

"I'll go my way and come back and watch that play-off final.

"It's a good squad, it's a good group to play for and the managers are good. It's just finding that consistency.

"If we can turn a little more nasty when it comes to digging in and things like that, then anything can happen.

"I've enjoyed my time here, it's been brilliant and I've met some great lads."

Gloucester, 19th in National North, may not be an obvious move for a player who could play higher.

But they've offered a good deal, it's slightly close to his Buckinghamshire home and he also knows City manager James Rowe, having played with him at Aldershot.

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"I wouldn't say I had plenty of offers but certainly a lot more than I did in the summer," said McClure, who started the season without a club after leaving the Shots.

"Having a good run of games here and scoring a few goals has helped.

"I'm over in Buckinghamshire so it's still a bit of a drive but a little less than here and obviously I know the manager."

As well as his goals, McClure played an important role in Ibby Akanbi's development at Maidstone.

Playing just behind the young striker, he's been a big help to the former Crystal Palace schoolboy and is tipping him for a big future.

McClure said: "Ibby should be the main one scoring and he's turned ruthless in the last few weeks.

"I've come in, shown him the ropes and he's a little protege of mine now, I suppose.

"He's getting better every game. Even in training he can't miss.

"If I were playing with him for the rest of the season, my job would be just give him the ball in places he could hurt teams because at the moment everything he hits is flying in.

"Hopefully it continues for him and you never know where he’ll end up. He’s got every attribute to reach the Football League."

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