Wraight fits the bill
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Maidstone have signed their replacement for Alex Flisher.
Winger Tom Wraight has joined from East Thurrock for an undisclosed fee after scoring 20 goals in National South.
He’s had trials with Football League clubs Ipswich, Gillingham and Millwall in the past year but Stones boss Jay Saunders has his man at the second attempt.
Saunders said: “I tried to sign him last season but he wanted to see if anything would happen with the league clubs.
“He’s a lad I was first aware of at Witham when we were watching Jack Paxman.
“East Thurrock took him and he scored 20-odd goals in the Bostik Premier and another 20 league goals in Conference South.
“He’s a left-sider and after losing Flish and Bobby-Joe Taylor, it was important we signed a natural leftie.
“He can also cover at leftback or play as a No.10, so he gives us good options and he’s got great delivery.”
Saunders is convinced Wraight, 22, has what it takes to step up to the National League.
He said: “It’s always a gamble when you sign someone who hasn’t played the level but every year he’s moved up, from Bostik North to Bostik Premier to Conference South, he’s done well.
“To get 20 goals from midfield in Conference South isn’t easy.
“I don’t want to build him up too much but he’s someone I feel can cope with it and can probably go higher again.”
Wraight’s arrival adds to a squad that’s taking shape nicely.
Saunders said: “We’ve got proven lads at this level but I still want to keep the youth and the legs around it.
“You look at it and we’ve got people like Magnus Okuonghae, Reece Prestedge, Stuart Lewis and Seth Twumasi but then we’ve got lads like Jamar Loza, Joe Pigott, Harry Phipps and now Tom, who give us that good blend of youth.”
Saunders, meanwhile, says Tom Mills won’t be allowed to leave Maidstone for nothing.
Mills, 25, remains on the transfer list almost a month after turning down a new contract.
There’s been interest from Dartford, Margate and Chelmsford but no concrete offers.
Saunders said: “It’s a case of agreeing something with a club but it won’t be a free transfer – that definitely won’t happen.”