Crowd favourite Michael Phillips has rejoined Maidstone United after two years away.

Midfielder Phillips, 23, won the player-of-the-year award in his only full season with the club.

He was one of the few shining lights in a miserable 2018/19 campaign that ended in relegation, impressing both in central midfield and as a makeshift right-back.

Out of contract, a move to Yeovil fell through and he offered to take a pay cut to sign a new deal at Maidstone before joining Wealdstone.

He won National South with the other Stones and was a regular in their National League team last season.

But he wanted a fresh start and jumped at the chance to rejoin Maidstone, the club who gave him his break in men's football after leaving Crystal Palace.

Phillips told Stones TV: "I had a few offers from the National League, a bit too far away, I had loads in the National South, but when Maidstone came about it was perfect because I've got some unfinished business.

"When I left Crystal Palace I came straight down to Maidstone so I made my first professional start here. Maidstone had a place in my heart - they've always been there.

"Even when I was at Wealdstone I kept following Maidstone.

"I think you probably saw footage when we played you lot and we scored, I didn't celebrate."

Phillips has Stones sports therapist Beth Cooper to thank for his return.

He added: "I spoke to Beth a few times - she was probably my agent, she was trying to get the deal done!

"It's good to be back, Hak's a great manager."

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