Centre-half Manny Parry has joined Maidstone United from Grays on a one-year contract.

The 21-year-old had spells with Millwall and Stoke before dropping into non-league football.

He impressed in both Ryman League Premier Division games against United last season and becomes Jay Saunders' first summer signing.

Saunders said: "He's someone Jamie Coyle (player-coach) earmarked as a lad we should keep tabs on.

"He's not the finished article but he's 6ft 3in, strong and quick and is someone who's got the potential to go on and have a good career.

"Mark Bentley, the manager at Grays, couldn't speak highly enough of him and speaking to Jay May, he found it hard playing against him.

"He's come here to play, he wants to learn and he wanted to know how we could improve him.

"He had a year as a pro at Stoke and it can be a culture shock when you drop into non-league.

"He had a brief spell at Harrow which he found hard but the year at Grays has done him good.

"I think we can help him back into the league."