James Rogers didn't wait to find out whether Dover were offering a new deal before his move to Maidstone United in the Ryman League Premier Division.

Midfielder Rogers is United's fourth summer signing after arriving from Conference South play-off winners Whites on a one-year contract.

He believed he would finish his career at Crabble after rejoining from Dartford last season but that changed when Chris Kinnear's side clinched promotion to Conference Premier.

Rogers said: "I phoned Chris and told him I was thinking of leaving as the travelling would be too much in the Conference and at nearly 30 I didn't want to be doing it again, so I don't actually know whether they were going to offer me anything.

"I thought I'd finish my career at Dover but it took me by surprise a little bit getting promoted to Conference Premier.

"I don't feel like I'm dropping down joining Maidstone because of the size of the club and the potential.

"For me, they're as big if not bigger than any club in Conference South. It's a club going places."

See more from Rogers in Friday's Kent Messenger