More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Crowd favourite Michael Phillips has rejoined Maidstone United after two years away.
Midfielder Phillips, 23, won the player-of-the-year award in his only full season with the club.
He was one of the few shining lights in a miserable 2018/19 campaign that ended in relegation, impressing both in central midfield and as a makeshift right-back.
Out of contract, a move to Yeovil fell through and he offered to take a pay cut to sign a new deal at Maidstone before joining Wealdstone.
He won National South with the other Stones and was a regular in their National League team last season.
But he wanted a fresh start and jumped at the chance to rejoin Maidstone, the club who gave him his break in men's football after leaving Crystal Palace.
Phillips told Stones TV: "I had a few offers from the National League, a bit too far away, I had loads in the National South, but when Maidstone came about it was perfect because I've got some unfinished business.
"When I left Crystal Palace I came straight down to Maidstone so I made my first professional start here. Maidstone had a place in my heart - they've always been there.
"Even when I was at Wealdstone I kept following Maidstone.
"I think you probably saw footage when we played you lot and we scored, I didn't celebrate."
Phillips has Stones sports therapist Beth Cooper to thank for his return.
He added: "I spoke to Beth a few times - she was probably my agent, she was trying to get the deal done!
"It's good to be back, Hak's a great manager."
