New signing Gavin Hoyte took the long route to Folkestone - after contemplating a move abroad.
Defender Hoyte trained with Gibraltan club Magpies while working out his next move after five years at Maidstone.
The former Stones captain, who started his career at Arsenal, knows he’s made the right decision after joining ambitious Isthmian Premier club Invicta.
But there was a point when a move overseas was in his thoughts, with Magpies third in the Gibraltan League and playing in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
“I spoke to a few teams and I was actually thinking about going abroad as well,” said Hoyte, 34.
“I trained with Magpies in Gibraltar which was a very different experience.
“It was unbelievable and the weather was amazing.
“The managers all spoke English but the fitness coaches mainly spoke Spanish.
“I’d never experienced that and it was funny hearing the team-talk and the captain translating what the manager said into Spanish. Just little things like that were great.
“I respect the manager for letting me train with them.
“Maybe if I’d been out there longer there’d have been a chance to earn a deal but where I am now in my career and my life, it’s not the right time to go abroad.
“I’ve got my family, my kids are settled at school and I need to look at getting a job outside of football.
“Maybe four or five years ago it might have been different but I don’t think I could do it now.”
Folkestone is the ideal move as Hoyte, whose other former clubs include Watford and Brighton, steps away from full-time football.
It’s a big life change for the right-back, who captained Maidstone to the National League South title in 2022 and the FA Cup fifth round last season.
He knew Folkestone boss Andy Drury from a coaching
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