Ollie Muldoon says he will always be grateful for the chance to stay at Maidstone.

Muldoon earned a new deal after proving his fitness in pre-season and started Saturday's National League opener against Hartlepool.

The midfielder was fouled for the penalty as Blair Turgott put Jay Saunders' side in front and grew in influence as the game wore on.

It was an encouraging performance from the former Charlton man, who is just pleased to be playing again after last season's injury nightmare.

He said: "When the gaffer rang and said 'we want you to come back in, I like you as a player' I took that as a confidence boost because he didn't have to do that.

"I am forever grateful to him for giving me the opportunity to come back in.

"I had a couple of options but Maidstone was the one I wanted to come back to because I liked it last year, I really did enjoy it and I just want to play for this football club.

"Last season was one I want to write off and not think about ever again.

"I had a good summer getting in the gym, doing my running and getting back fit.

"I came back quite sharp and the gaffer obviously was impressed with me. It's been good ever since.

"Last year I didn't have a pre-season and coming here trying to start games straight away, I was putting my body through too much and I wasn't fit enough.

"It's been good to have a pre-season and get right and thankfully I feel good."

Muldoon is set to retain his place when Maidstone visit one of his old clubs, Dagenham, tomorrow night.

He enjoyed a loan spell at Victoria Road a couple of years ago, making his debut in an FA Cup tie at Premier League Everton.

Muldoon said: "That was my first game, Everton away in the FA Cup.

"It was a good welcome but I didn't think too much of it at the time.

"I signed there on the Thursday afternoon, travelled on the Friday, played on the Saturday, so it all came about really quick.

"It'll be nice to go back and hopefully get the win but it'll be a tough game.

"Every game in this league is tough but I think we've got a good squad here, I think we can really do well this year if we stick together and work as a team."