Manny Parry says he had little hesitation signing for Margate despite a clutch of other clubs being in the market for him.

The 6ft3in defender joined the Blues after being released by Maidstone United, and says he chose Nikki Bull's team over several other clubs, at least a couple of them in the Vanarama National League.

Parry said Bull was a big part of why he came to Hartsdown and he hopes the Blues can push for promotion from Vanarama League South this season, having just avoided the drop last year.

The 22-year-old, who made 46 appearances in Maidstone's promotion-winning campaign last season, explained: "From the first minute Nikki and I spoke we seemed to strike up a good relationship. He's a good guy.

"He understood my situation, he knew how I felt (after being released) and he gave me good advice.

"He convinced me that he really wanted me to be part of his side and that was important. It's nice to know a manager really wants you after you've been released."

Parry already knows several of his new team-mates, most notably Alex Osborn - who played with him at Maidstone - and Danny Fitzsimons, who was at Millwall at the same time as the new Gate centre-half.

He's also played against most of the others and admits he's pleased he no longer has to mark striker Elliott Buchanan, who was the South's leading marksman last season while at Bishop's Stortford.

Parry added: "I've played with and against most of the players Nikki has signed and I know at this level they are top players. We're a good, hungry bunch and that can only be good.

"I know it's not easy getting promotion from this division but I want to try and get this club as high as I can and I think the others all feel the same way."

Parry's early career took him to Millwall and Stoke City and he was with Grays before Jay Saunders brought him to Maidstone.

He admits he was disappointed not to have been offered a new deal at the Gallagher Stadium, but says he only has good memories of his time there and believes the progress he made under Saunders will help him thrive at Hartsdown this season.

He added: "Last season was a good one for me, I played a lot of games and we had a fabulous defensive record. It was my first promotion and those memories will stay with me forever. I also felt I progressed a lot and hopefully I can build on that at Margate."