John Gilbert is convinced Maidstone United will be challenging for promotion again next season.

Attacking midfielder Gilbert became the club’s first summer signing when he joined from Slough last week.

The Stones are working on another rebuild, after losing the likes of Aaron Blair, Temi Eweka, Charlie Seaman and Alexis Andre Jr.

But that’s nothing new to manager George Elokobi and Gilbert believes he has joined a club who will be fighting for honours once more after successive National League South play-off campaigns.

The 25-year-old wants to help them take the final step.

“If you look at other clubs in the league, and football in general, there’s always turnovers, whether it’s two or three players or 10-plus,” said Gilbert.

“You look at Maidstone’s changes from the last couple of seasons, it was the same thing, they had to have a bit of a turnover and look how well they’ve done.

“They’ve not been as successful as they wanted because they’re on that last push and it didn’t quite go for them.

“But I still see it as a very successful club putting themselves in that environment to be amongst the top teams and really battle on those final days of the season.

“I’ve come in for us to put it right and finish the job this time.”

The league is widely tipped to be tougher than ever with a number of ambitious full-time clubs battling for glory.

Gilbert has only spoken to Elokobi on the phone so far but knows the Stones boss is set on building a squad to fight for promotion.

He said: “I haven’t seen the squad yet, I don’t know who George is signing, or the way he plays, but you know from the history of the club, I feel it’s only right to be thinking like that.

“George is bringing players in, like me, for a reason, and the only reason is to go up. That’s the No.1 goal everyone will have.

“Yes, we can have a good cup run and our individual targets but I think we all know, after the last two seasons, we want to get promoted.”

The chance to play full-time football was a major draw for Gilbert in making the switch from fellow National League South club Slough.

Rebels boss Scott Davies helped make it happen after seeing the midfielder excel in his first season at Step 2.

He scored nine goals and provided numerous assists and feels full-time football will take his game to another level, having previously had trials with Coventry, Fulham and Colchester during the Covid years.

“To get the opportunity to go full-time and really kick on, it was a no-brainer,” said Gilbert.

“I’ve always been at Step 3 before going to Slough - Met Police, Walton Casuals, Walton & Hersham - and when I was younger I had a few trials, as such, for three or four weeks.

“Quite a lot of the clubs said I was on par with everyone else but they wanted that bit extra, they wanted more.

“I felt like I was ready but I genuinely don’t have any regrets.

“I’ve got my dad and brother in football, who are very similar.

“We definitely reflect on things and I just kept pushing.

“With these setbacks and stories, and how things work, you’ve just got to keep going and hopefully your day comes.

“To me, this has been a huge step going into full-time football.

“I’ve been at those clubs on trials and only been there three weeks and I came away feeling a better player.

“So I’m hoping a season of full-time football will do me good and make me a better player but also hopefully for the club I can progress and be the best version I can be.”

As well as his creativity, Gilbert possesses the work ethic Elokobi loves to see in footballers.

Stones fans will soon see that from the new signing, who is currently gearing up for pre-season by training at home.

He’s been sent a schedule by Elokobi as well as doing his own bits.

“I will not stop running,” said Gilbert.

“I think the fans will like me - I hope so, anyway - for my determination and work ethic and hopefully I can get the goals and assists on top of that.

“George has sent me some pre-season bits and bobs and I’ve already cracked on.

“I’m a football coach and I say it to young kids, the more you play, the better you’re going to get.

“Even now at the age of 25, if I’m in the garden, or going for walks, I’ve got a ball at my feet and it definitely makes you a better player.

“Getting ready for Maidstone, I’m training by myself and I’m getting mates in, just doing things as I would on the football pitch in a match.

“Wherever I’m playing it will always be that intensity because if you do it the other way round, if you have a light training session or you don’t put as much effort in, I don’t feel like you’re mentally ready for the game the following week or whenever it is.

“I’ve always had that mindset and mentality and I thank my dad and brother who have been footballers and they know the story.”