George Fowler sees himself playing many more games for Maidstone after celebrating his 100th appearance.

Defender Fowler brought up the milestone against Havant a fortnight ago and was presented with a plaque.

The reigning player-of-the-year has been a key man at the back ever since joining on loan from Aldershot two years ago.

He enjoyed it so much the deal was made permanent and he hasn’t looked back, relocating from Berkshire to Maidstone and becoming a big favourite at the Gallagher Stadium.

It’s been the most enjoyable time of his career after injuries halted his progress with the Shots.

“I always knew that once I settled at a club and was having a run of games that I had a lot to give - and Maidstone is that club,” said Fowler, 25.

“I bought into it as soon as I came here.

“I love the fanbase, I love the club, I’m enjoying my time here and hopefully that shows on the pitch.

“I’m settled at the minute, the club’s ambitious to get back to the National League, and I want to get back playing at a higher level as well, so I’m really enjoying my time here and there’s no reason to leave that behind.”

Fowler knew he was somewhere near 100 appearances but was “caught off guard” when Maidstone informed him.

“It’s crept on me,” he said.

“When I found out, it was brilliant news and the club arranged a little plaque, which was really nice.”

Sometimes a club and a player are just meant to be.

That seems to be the case with Fowler as he looked back on his time at the Gallagher.

“We played Ebbslfeet away and won 3-2, in the year we won National South, and I was meant to go back to Aldershot after that game,” he said.

“I remember being in the car thinking, ‘I don’t want to go back, I’ve really enjoyed my time here’.

“I was travelling a long way - that was the only thing I had to think about - but I made the move permanent and I’ve not looked back since.

“I’ve been here over two years now and it’s flown by. They say time flies when you’re having fun.

“The club were keen to keep me. I was coming from Berkshire and it was over two hours to training every day.

“But the atmosphere we had and the team we had, that journey went out the window because I was enjoying coming in and winning games and the vibe was brilliant.”

There have been mixed fortunes on the pitch, with promotion followed by National League relegation last season.

But Maidstone are looking good again, second in National League South and through to the FA Cup third round for the first time in 35 years.

Fowler said: “I’ve had a real up and a real down but I’d like to think we’re having another real up this season.

“We’ve got the FA Cup and we’re doing well in the league.

“Beating Barrow in the FA Cup was probably a bigger buzz at the time than winning the league.

“Although it caught us off guard the day we won the league, we’d been building up to it, whereas in the FA Cup, everyone expected Barrow to win.

“The way we went about it and with Biv’s goal (Bivesh Gurung), I think the vibe from that win was almost bigger than we won the league.

“The club hadn’t been to the third round since 1988, so it’s been a long, long time.

“It’s something no one’s going to take away from us in our careers that we’ve made history for the club.”

Maidstone visit Worthing in National League South tomorrow.

Striker Timmy Abraham is available after the Stones won their appeal against his red card in last weekend’s FA Trophy defeat at Barnet.

But midfielder Devonte Aransibia has gone out on loan to Braintree until the end of February.