MAIDSTONE United have pulled off a major transfer coup by singing the former Gillingham right back Mark Patterson.

Patterson, 35, was chased by a host of Kent clubs, but opted to join the Stones after talks with their new manager Lloyd Hume.

“It’s a big coup for us,” a delighted Hume told the Kent Messenger. “People are going to stand up and take notice of us now. Mark is a player who was absolute quality at Dover last year and he is a very big signing.”

Patterson played for Carlisle, Derby and Plymouth before joining Gillingham for £45,000 in October 1997. He made 118 league appearances for the Gills, before a persistent knee injury forced him to abandon full-time football last season and move to Dover.

“It’s ok,” Patterson said, referring to his knee problem, “The reason I had to quit was because I couldn’t handle full time training. I could have done four out of five seesions a week, but I wouldn’t have been at 100 percent for Division One football.”

His relationship with the Stones’ assistant manager Alan Walker helped to sway him towards Maidstone.

“I’ve known Alan for quite a while,” Patterson said, “When he contacted me he said he wanted me to play for him and Lloyd and it seemed like a good place to go. I want to get back to playing football again after what happened at Dover.”