There’s no place like home for Maidstone United midfielder Bivesh Gurung.

Gurung made a welcome return to the Gallagher Stadium last November, four years after leaving the youth set-up for a scholarship with Premier League club Crystal Palace.

After a couple of years with the Eagles, and still a teenager, he made a bold decision to move abroad, furthering his football education in Scandinavia.

He spent a season in Norway, with Trysil FK, followed by a move to Sweden, enjoying a year with Ytterhogdals IK.

The midfielder might have spent longer overseas but says a combination of Brexit and coronavirus got in the way.

It was the start of a difficult time for the former Maidstone Grammar School pupil but, after a brief spell with Margate, he jumped at the chance to rejoin Maidstone.

Initially arriving on dual-registration terms with Gate, Stones boss Hakan Hayrettin quickly saw enough to give the youngster an 18-month contract.

He’s made five appearances since his debut at Havant, with the latest coming in last weekend’s return game against the Hawks as United maintained their four-point lead at the top of National South.

“Even though I’ve not got as many minutes as I would have liked, I’m really enjoying it and I’m progressing here,” said Gurung, 20.

“I’m learning off a lot of the players who’ve played at higher levels or have loads of experience at this level.

“To be honest, before signing here, I was going through a really tough period.

“Also, one of the main reasons I couldn’t go back out to Scandinavia was because of the whole Brexit business and coronavirus.

“That stalled that, and I was on trial at a few clubs and got turned away.

“It was a tough period so coming here, to my hometown club and getting offered a contract, it did mean a lot.

“Whenever I’m needed I’ll be ready.

“It does feel different playing for Maidstone because it’s just round the corner from my house.

“I used to be here in the stands as well coming to watch the games during the successful times whilst Jay Saunders was in charge. I’m involved in this club in many ways. It’s special.”

Gurung said he had some catching up to do after joining Palace, aged 16.

He made up for lost time, and his years in south London shaped the player he is today.

“It was really good at Palace,” he said.

“I got picked up a bit later than usual - kids can be taken as young as five and I got picked up when I was 16.

“I had some catching up to do compared to the rest of the players there but being full-time and training with top players and top coaches, it helped me a lot and I still take everything from them today.

“Physically, it was more demanding because you’re training every single day and just adapting to game speed and, tactically as well, coming from grass-roots football, my game understanding improved a lot.

“I was quite an erratic player before going there but I think I’ve really smartened up and know when to use my aggression well.”

Gurung had a decision to make after leaving Palace - find another club in England or try his luck abroad.

After talking to his agent, the youngster was on his way to Scandinavia for a different football experience.

“Playing abroad, the style of play is completely different to here,” he said.

“The ball’s on the floor a lot more than in the air, and I think my technique and technical ability went up and made me a better player.

“Norway was a good experience and last season I was in Sweden.

“That was during the Covid season and that was really important for me because most leagues here in the UK were null-and-voided.

“I still had a season of playing football and progressing well, where other players might have missed out on that.

“Playing abroad was something that was brought up by my agent. I really enjoyed it.

“The language wasn’t really a problem because most of the people spoke really good English.

“The main difficult thing was living out there by myself, being away from home.

"I’m a really big family person, so I missed my mum, my dad, and I missed my mum’s food as well.”