Maidstone United striker Mark Boruk on working with new manager Craig Fagan and the importance of staying humble after breaking into the side as a teenager

Mark Boruk is looking forward to the prospect of continuing his football education under new Maidstone manager Craig Fagan.

Striker Boruk emerged as one of the stories of the season after being handed his debut aged 17 by former boss George Elokobi.

The Maidstone Grammar School sixth-former was kept around the squad, given a start in the Kent Senior Cup final win over Tonbridge, and scored his first goal in the season-ending 3-2 win at Bath last Saturday.

Boruk, who’s been offered his first Stones contract, will miss working with Elokobi but is excited for the future, as assistant manager Fagan steps up as the main man.

“The gaffer has been so good to me and he really put his trust in me,” said Boruk, who turned 18 last week. “I’ve come on and tried my hardest for him, not just for him, but for the fans as well.

“I’m sad to see him go because I know the legacy he’s left at this club, even when I was younger, with the FA Cup run, and everything he’s done and the history he’s leaving here.

“It’s a bit strange when you find out the manager’s leaving because it puts you in that position of question. If it wasn’t Craig coming in, who would it be? Would they like young players?

“Would they put as much trust in youngsters? Because then you have to prove yourself again. I’ll do that anyway, I’ll prove myself over and over again if I have to, but it’s so much better knowing that it’s going to be somebody who knows you and likes you as a player, who’s in control.

“Craig’s a great mentor. In training, he’s very attacking-minded, so he definitely helps us as forwards.

“He’s helped me progress my game in a sense where sometimes I’ll be trying to get the ball to feet but he’s saying ‘make those forward runs’ and I’ll do that and see