Parry sad to be leaving Stones
Manny Parry was surprised to be released by Maidstone this week.
The defender had held contract talks and wanted to stay after helping United reach the National League.
But boss Jay Saunders couldn’t see him playing regularly and on Monday told the former Stoke apprentice he was letting him go.
Parry, 22, made 46 appearances in all competitions after signing from Grays last summer.
He said: “It’s disappointing having played a lot of the games and giving everything for the promotion.
“It’s a shame not to be going up with the club but that’s how football is.
“I felt I’d done enough to be here next year but it’s Jay’s decision, he’s done well since he’s been at the club and I’m sure he’s made the right decision in his eyes.
“It feels similar to being released at Stoke. I wanted to stay at Maidstone, the same as I wanted to stay at Stoke but it’s part and parcel of football.
“One year a club might want you and the next they don’t. It’s all part of learning. You just have to take it on the chin.
“Before the season ended we’d spoken about a new deal and again when we got promoted.
“If I could have signed, definitely would have done.”
Parry has several offers on the table and hopes to reach a decision on his future by next week.
But he’ll miss Maidstone after I a season to remember.
He said: “I leave the club with loads of good memories and wish them all the best in the league above.
“I hope they do well and I’m sure they will because they have good players, good management and good people behind the scenes.
“I love the fans, the crowd were good to me, everyone was good to me. It’s upsetting but that’s how it is in football.
“The obvious highlight is the promotion. It was my first promotion and a crazy day, a moment I’ll never forget.
“Getting to the FA Cup first round was another one and the run of clean sheets was amazing. To go 10 hours and two months without conceding a goal gave me a lot of confidence.
“Every game we knew we could get a result because we were keeping clean sheets.”