Shane Huke went out on a high by announcing his retirement at Maidstone's Ryman League Premier Division title party.

Huke, 29, revealed he was contemplating hanging up his boots in an interview with the Kent Messenger two weeks ago.

And the defender decided the time was right after winning the first trophy of his career, despite the best efforts of team-mates to convince him to carry on.

Huke said: "They've been on at me - kicking, punching, pulling - to get me to change my mind.

"They are a fantastic group of boys and I wish I'd known them a little bit longer.

"If I was going to stay anywhere I would a million per cent stay here.

"The club's going places, the boys are brilliant, the manager's brilliant.

"I've done it for 15 years, loved every minute, and it's probably a good time to go out when we've won the league.

"I've not experienced winning anything before so I'm taking it all in.

"It was mixed emotions after the game.

"Winning the league was amazing, retiring is obviously not amazing, but there's no going back."

Huke started his own business in March and wants to spend more time with his family.

But he'll still be at the Gallagher Stadium watching Stones in Conference South.

He said: "I'll be down here a lot next season and I want them to do well because I absolutely love the club.

"I've only been a few months and it's been fantastic."