Maidstone loan signing Tom Phipp grew up playing in the same Arsenal youth team as Jack Wilshere.

The pair remain friends but while Wilshere is one of the hottest talents in English football, Phipp was released after five-and-a-half years with the Gunners.

Phipp, who joined United on a month’s loan from Ebbsfleet last week, said: “As a young boy you think nothing’s going to go wrong and getting released hit me harder than I expected.

“I went on trial at other clubs but nothing worked out and ended up playing local football for a couple of months before joining Ebbsfleet.

“People always say you can tell how good a player is going to be at a young age but I never believed that until I saw Jack. I haven’t been in touch for six months or so but I used to be in regular contact with him and his parents.”

Phipp, who joined Ebbsfleet in 2010, was a regular in the Conference Premier under Liam Daish last season and attracted interest from league clubs.

The 21-year-old stayed at Fleet but has barely featured under new boss Steve Brown.

He said: “I spoke to the gaffer and we felt it was important I got out on loan to get some games. After last season it’s nice to be playing for a team who are flying."

Read the full interview in Friday's Kent Messenger.