Jordan Higgs has joined Maidstone to win National League South - and sees no reason to talk down their chances.

Higgs, appointed vice-captain following his summer move from neighbours Tonbridge, feels United are equipped to go all the way.

They start the season at St Albans on Saturday.

“We want to go up,” said Higgs. “We want to win the league. That’s it.

“None of us signed to get in the play-offs again.

“We want to win the league and that’s our goal this season.

“I think you have to say it.

“We’re confident in it, so why not say it?

“We believe we’re better than every team in this league so we’re going to say it and that’s our goal, to win the league.”

Higgs had an impressive campaign at Tonbridge following his move from Dover, winning two player-of-the-year awards.

The midfielder was offered a new deal but opted for full-time football at local rivals Maidstone under George Elokobi.

“I got a bit of stick for making the move but I’m delighted to be here,” said Higgs.

“When I signed I said I’m an ambitious person, that’s why I’ve come to the club.

“At the time I felt this was a more ambitious club than Tonbridge.

“No disrespect to Tonbridge, I loved my time there.

“Jay Saunders is a great manager, the boys were brilliant and the fans are great, but I felt this was the next step for me in my career.”

Higgs scored a spectacular injury-time equaliser against Maidstone last Boxing Day.

His celebrations in front of the Stones dugout led to a booking for Elokobi and a mistaken-identity red card for Raphe Brown.

“Every day I get a bit of stick for that,” said Higgs.

“The gaffer keeps telling me I got him a yellow card so I owe him a goal. We’ll see how it goes this season.

“I remember hitting it and I turned round and just saw the whole of our dugout running towards me.

“I’ve kind of run towards the dugout and we met George.

“He took it well so it’s all good.”

Higgs has been struck by the professionalism at Maidstone while the vice-captaincy was an added bonus.

He said: “It was a nice surprise the gaffer giving me that. I didn’t know before he made his speech.

“Sam Corne is our leader but to back him up and take a leadership role is brilliant.

“Coming to a new club you want to settle in quickly and I feel like I‘ve done that.

“It’s the professionalism that’s taken me. It’s been brilliant.

“The gaffer’s played in the Prem, he knows what the highest level’s like and he’s tried to implement that. I’m loving it to be fair.

“The gaffer’s brilliant, Craig Fagan (assistant manager) is brilliant as well and it’s great coming in every day, learning from them and working hard.

“When he signed me the gaffer I’m going to have you fit and, to be fair, it’s probably the fittest I’ve ever felt in my career. I needed that.”