Back home with a mission
Teenager Harry Phipps is determined to force his way into Maidstone’s starting XI after rejoining his hometown club.
Phipps was a youth-team midfielder at the Gallagher before moving to Dartford and then Margate.
Money problems at Gate saw manager Nikki Bull turn to youth and Phipps, 18, took his chance, catching Stones boss Jay Saunders’ eye against Charlton in the Kent Senior Cup.
Phipps said: “It’s fantastic that Jay’s given me the opportunity. Generally, the fans probably wanted a more experienced player but I’ve got the potential to improve.
“I only turned 18 in June, was under18s last year, so I’m ready and raring to go. Speaking with Jay, I knew this was the place I wanted to go and I feel like this move is going to be good for me in the future.
“I’m quite a dominant centre midfielder, an aerial presence and I like to play a final ball through as well. I look to play but sometimes you’ve got to play long and put it in the channels.
“I’m not short of confidence. I wouldn’t have moved here in the first place if I didn’t want to progress and keep moving forward and Maidstone’s the place that’s going to take me where I want to be.”
Margate were planning to offer Phipps a contract after his rapid progress in the first team.
But when Maidstone came calling, he jumped at the chance to test himself in the National League.
Had Gate’s money not run out, Phipps would still be in their under-18s – a fact not lost on the youngster.
He said: “Nikki does a great job at Margate but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes. The opportunity came up to play nine or 10 games in the first team and Maidstone liked the look of me, so it’s worked out well for me.
“It’s nice to hear that Jay came down to watch Charlton players and ended up getting someone to look at me for the next four games.” Maidstone’s New Year’s Day game against Dover came too soon for Phipps.
He hadn’t trained with his new team-mates but may not have to wait long for a chance. He said: “Jay said that I’m expected to be heavily involved in the side but I hadn’t had a training session before Dover. I don’t even know most of the lads’ names yet but I should be involved soon hopefully.
“When I was in the under-15s here I was always aiming to get in the first team. I made a move to Dartford, ended up at Margate under-18s, broke into the first team, but I’m happy to be back and I’m looking to get in the starting XI.”