Jay Saunders made former Gillingham boss Peter Taylor an offer to join the coaching staff at Maidstone.

United travel to Taylor’s new club Dagenham tonight for their first midweek game of the National League season.

Stones boss Saunders is looking forward to seeing the ex-Leicester manager, who had the chance to join United towards the end of last season.

Saunders turned to the veteran boss, who also played for Maidstone, during their fight for survival.

He said: “I nearly brought him to the club at the back end of last season, just to come in as a different voice.

“He couldn’t do it at the time, couldn’t commit, which was fair enough.

“You can’t fault what he’s done in football. He’s managed at the top level, he’s got a huge amount of experience.

“We sat down and had a long chat and it went well.

“It was just difficult for him at the time to commit.

“It was at a time where I felt a different voice, when you’re on that losing run, might have helped. I did it the year before when Colin Reid came in.

“I think I first met Peter at the Stevenage FA Cup game when he was a pundit.

“We stayed in contact and he’s someone I’ve got a lot of respect for. He’s a good guy.”

Saunders wasn’t surprised to see Taylor step back into management at Victoria Road, following John Still’s move to Barnet.

He’s expecting a tough test against the Daggers given the pedigree of Taylor and his assistant Terry Harris.

Saunders said: “I’m pleased for them both and no doubt with their experience, they’ll have a really well-organised team.

“Peter’s teams are always hard to break down, they’re always defensively well-organised.

“He builds his team around that, so that will be a tough test for us, as going to Dagenham always is.”

Former Maidstone midfielder Harry Phipps could feature after joining Dagenham on Friday.

He was released by the Stones at the end of last season.

Saunders said: "Harry’s a good player but I couldn’t give him the game time he needed.

"I looked at the squad and thought, ‘Is he ahead of Jack Paxman, Stuart Lewis, Jordan Wynter, Ollie Muldoon?’

"I couldn’t say I thought he was, so it was only fair to let him go and get games.

"I liked him. Listen, I brought him to the club. It’s just a shame he couldn’t break through but he’s been unlucky with the players he’s had to compete against.

"He’ll be up for it but he’s a good lad and I wish him well because he’s an honest lad and he’s someone I think’s got ability."