Maidstone midfielder Stuart Lewis says there's more to football than money.

United can't compete with the spending power of all the big ex-Football League clubs in the National League.

But with the new season just a few days away, that doesn't worry Lewis, who believes the togetherness of United's small squad will be a big weapon.

He said: "You look at some of the budgets in this league and we won’t be near the top.

"What we have got, and what a lot of teams haven’t, is the togetherness and there’s a real drive from the group because that can earn you points as well.

"You can have 25 players and a strong squad but if you haven’t got any togetherness and you don’t back each other when the going gets tough, then that’s not worth having.

"We’re probably going to be a bit smaller than everyone else but we’ve got to back that up with a togetherness.

"From the fans, to the players, to the staff, we’ve got to be as one and I really believe that if we are, we’ll have a positive season.

Lewis was a wanted man after his form on loan at Maidstone last season but the former Ebbsfleet man was always going to stay at the Gallagher.

He said: "There were a few different options but I think from how I settled in at the club, how much I enjoyed my football and how I got on with the manager and the supporters, winning the player-of-the-season, they were all key factors in me staying.

"It was an easy decision because I just wanted to be part of this club going forward in the next few years and hopefully we can enjoy some good times."

Read more from Stuart Lewis in Thursday's Kent Messenger - part of our five-page season preview.