The door is open for Alex Brown to return to Maidstone one day.

Brown this week left his hometown club for regular football at Leatherhead, signing an 18-month deal at the Ryman League Premier Division club.

Stones boss Jay Saunders didn’t want the midfielder to leave and intends to keep tabs on the Gallagher crowd favourite, who made 139 appearances in a stop-start three years.

Saunders said: “I’m gutted Browny’s left but I understand his reasons.

“He’s one I’ll still keep an eye on – I like him a lot. If he gets a run of games and a full season under his belt it will do him good.

“If you look since we signed him, he’s not had that. Sometimes he’s been left out and other times he’s been injured.

“He’s still got a lot to offer –you never know what might happen in the future.”

Brown is focused on helping new club Leatherhead, where he had spent the past month on loan, but is aware Stones will monitor his progress.

He said: “Jay told me he’ll keep an eye on me and it’s nice to hear that. I’m only 23, so I’m not too old. You never know what might happen."