Former Maidstone favourite Matt Bodkin has been reflecting on some golden days as he prepares for his testimonial next week.

Bodkin was part of the Stones side who achieved back-to-back promotions under Jay Saunders, winning the Isthmian Premier title and National League South play-offs in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

He’s getting his old team-mates back together for his testimonial which takes place at Chatham Town’s Bauvill Stadium on Monday night (7pm).

The winger is set to play the first half for Chatham - where he also enjoyed successive promotions - before pulling on the amber and black shirt after the break.

Bodkin, who’s still turning out for Ashford in Isthmian South East at the age of 41, enjoyed some of his best days in football at the Gallagher Stadium.

“We were all really good mates off the pitch,” he said.

“Weirdly, we looked forward to away days because it meant spending time together on the coach and having a laugh.

“It was things like that which made our team as special as it was.

“It got us a nice FA Cup run, too, which Maidstone are pretty renowned for these days, but they weren’t then. We had a very good team.”

Bodkin missed Maidstone’s dramatic National League South play-off final win over Ebbsfleet.

The Stones triumphed on penalties after a 2-2 draw but Bodkin was on holiday in America.

“I was gutted about that,” he said.

“I’d booked this holiday 18 months before.

“I thought we might go up from the Isthmian Prem but at the time nobody thought we were going to go up again.

“As it was coming round I was thinking, ‘Oh my God, we’re going to make it’.

“I had to have a conversation with Jay and I felt awful.

“I was streaming the game in America and jumping up and down in the hotel room. I was so pleased for the boys.”

Lee Worgan, Alex Flisher, Jamie Coyle, Frannie Collin, James Rogers, Michael Phillips and Alex Akrofi are among the ex-Stones players set to feature.

Current Chats players Jack Evans, Jordy Robins and Reece Butler are also in line to appear, along with others from Bodkin’s decorated six-year spell with the Medway outfit.

He was offered a testimonial by manager-chairman Kevin Hake when he left Chatham earlier this season.

“It’s been really kind of Kev to offer the testimonial because it’s such an honour in many respects,” said Bodkin.

“It’s going to be a nice fun evening. It’ll be wonderful seeing loads of old faces and catching up with everyone.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’s a great excuse to catch up with people I maybe haven’t seen for a couple of years.

“Once you all go your separate ways, you have these wonderful intentions of being in touch all the time but it dwindles as your commitments are due elsewhere, so it’ll be nice to see those people again and have a couple of little beers afterwards.

“Hopefully a lot of people turn up because it just makes the night that bit more special.”

Bodkin started his long career at Gillingham, making his debut in an FA Cup third-round tie at Portsmouth in January 2005.

Pompey, then in the Premier League, won 1-0 thanks to a goal from star striker Yakubu in front of almost 15,000 at Fratton Park.

“I remember it being a very nerve-racking day,” recalled Bodkin. “It was a wonderful experience though.

“They had some amazing players, like Patrick Berger and Yakubu. They were a good Premier League team and it wasn’t long after that they won the FA Cup.

“Stan Ternent (manager) told me I’d be playing on the Tuesday. We’d had a couple of injuries and he said there’s no point trying to force anyone back, you’re ready to play.

“I played about an hour and did all right.”

The Football League career eluded Bodkin, however, and he ended up in non-league, with other former clubs including Welling and Margate.

For a man whose work ethic and dedication have extended his playing days into his 40s, he concedes he had a different mentality in his younger days at Gillingham.

“Unfortunately I probably let myself down in the end,” he said.

“You think you’ve cracked it when you make your debut but the hard work you’ve put in to reach that point is just the beginning.

“There was a lot more work that still needed to be put into place to grow and carry on and establish yourself.

“Sadly, I don’t think I was of the mindset at that point to understand it.

“I hadn’t had to work too hard and that little bit of talent got me where I needed to be and I hadn’t experienced how hard you really needed to work to progress.

“Once I came out of the professional game, I discovered the element of fitness around football at 25/26, and once I realised the benefits that had, I ran with it from there and that’s what’s prolonged my career to play at 41 still.”

Admission to Bodkin’s testimonial is £10 adults, £5 concessions and £3 under-16s.