Charlie Seaman had no issues dropping into National League South for the chance to work with George Elokobi once again.

The 24-year-old right-back was released by League 2 Doncaster Rovers last month and when Stones boss Elokobi showed interest in signing him, the decision was an easy one.

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It’s the third time Seaman has agreed to join Maidstone, the other two times on loan, both of which were ended early because of the Covid pandemic. He was limited to just 12 minutes off the bench in his first spell before playing 11 games on his return.

It had been enough time, however, for Seaman to get to know Elokobi inside out. At the time he was the Stones captain and his car-school buddy.

“The chats I had with him have led to me coming to Maidstone,” said the former Bournemouth youth player.

“I could have stayed in the National League. Dropping into the National South isn’t something I would have done a year ago, but I feel like I need to be somewhere where I am going to be happy and I am going to enjoy it.

“The status of the league doesn’t determine how happy you are in football. Some people may look and ask why I have dropped two leagues but I really just want to enjoy football again and play 50 games, do what I can and see what happens.

“[George] is very down to earth, very straightforward, and the biggest thing for me is that he’s very honest. I need someone that tells me what I can and can’t do and what I need to improve on.

“As a captain he demanded good standards all the time. I have met a lot of players who just go through the motions, which is fine, but he is not like that, he was Premier League- standard captain, constantly at everyone.

“He keeps it at a good level where you feel good and if you drop below the standards he will tell you straight away. I know already coming into the club what he will be like as a manager, whereas if you go to a different club you kind of have to work it out with what you can and can’t say.

“With George I know if I want to have a conversation with him about something on or off the pitch, an injury niggle, whatever, I know I can go to him and have conversations. It can be quite tough as a player to sometimes go and have those conversations with a manager.

“We’d have had chats about everything - family, partners, kids, football, life in general. I learned a lot from him and the time I spent with him he became like a big brother, a father-figure, it was good.

“He told me a lot about his family, his kids and his wife, his career in football, decisions he’s made, decisions he regretted, and those that turned out better. He was a massive reason why I wanted to go to Maidstone.”

The chance for Seaman to return south was another factor, having travelled far and wide to play football so far in his career. He’s played in Scotland, up in Hartlepool and was out on loan twice last season.

He started out with Hartlepool last summer before heading to Wealdstone in the second half of the season, where although he didn’t get the game-time he wanted, he did get a taste of life back near his roots.

He said: “Wealdstone wasn’t the right move looking back but it gave me clarity. I liked being back at home, back with my family and my girlfriend is around here as well, she lives in London.

“I saw that side of it a bit more and I have been a lot more happy and chilled since I have been back home.

“I wanted to find somewhere around where I live and somewhere where I would enjoy it and obviously having George as manager at Maidstone I saw it as a no-brainer.

“I am bored of the travelling now! I just want to be close to home. Football can be up and down, when it is down and you live four or five hours away, or up in Scotland, it amplifies how bad it can be.

“When it’s good you don’t really worry but it isn’t always good.

“I just wanted to be near my friends, family and girlfriend and then I know all I have to focus on is the football and everything around me is perfect.

“As long as I do well on the pitch then it’s all good.

“Since my last loan here I have had quite an up and down career, but I just want to be settled somewhere and enjoy it. I feel this is the club I can do it the best at.”