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Alex Flisher explains his decision to leave Maidstone United after rejecting testimonial

Alex Flisher has rejected the chance to change his mind and stay at Maidstone.

Flisher was transfer-listed at the end of last week after turning down a new deal, claiming the terms were reduced just as he was ready to sign.

On Tuesday he was offered a testimonial by chief executive Bill Williams in a bid to keep him at the Gallagher but he’s sticking with the decision to leave his hometown club after eight years.

Former Maidstone star Alex Flisher Picture: Andy Jones
Former Maidstone star Alex Flisher Picture: Andy Jones

Flisher, 25, said: “I’m not quite sure how testimonials work but because it wasn’t guaranteed income, I couldn’t go for it.

“It would have been the end of next season.

“If it had been this summer it might have worked but I didn’t want to take the chance.

“I spoke to Bill and I sat down with George (wife) and I didn’t want to risk it not making money or not going ahead for some reason.

“At the end of the day you’ve got to think about your family.”

Flisher, who works for his dad’s carpentry business, held contract talks with boss Jay Saunders towards the end of the season.

He wanted stay on board for the move to daytime training but says he couldn’t accept a revised offer.

Flisher, whose first baby is due next month, said: “I spoke to Jay towards the end of the season and he made me an offer.

“At that time it was up in the air and when we got to the last game of the season, it hit me that this could be it.

Alex Flisher celebrates his last Maidstone goal, at Wrexham Picture: Steve Terrell
Alex Flisher celebrates his last Maidstone goal, at Wrexham Picture: Steve Terrell

“I was going to change stuff at work it would have worked out.

“While I was away me and George spoke about it and I was going to sign, and then the offer changed, which made my decision for me.

“I was surprised because I was ringing Jay ready to say I could stay.

“I couldn’t afford to lose three days’ work for the money on offer.

“It didn’t cover what I take home now and with a baby on the way, you need more money, not less.

“I’m gutted to be leaving but that’s football.

“If the club set a limit on how much they’re going to pay, you can’t expect them to go over it just because I’ve been there so long.

“You just have to move on. I’m sure I’ll be back down at times to watch.”

Former Stones team-mates Jamie Coyle, the new boss at Welling, and Steve Watt, who’s in charge at Margate, are among those chasing Flisher’s signature but he is yet to decide where his future lies.

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