A few short weeks ago you would have got long odds on Dean Pooley starting for Ebbsfleet in the play-off final.

The 29-year-old, employed by the club as assistant to general manager Dave Archer, isn’t listed among the Fleet players on either their website or on the back of the matchday programme.

Pooley travelled to Burma for a charity bike ride in February and his main focus in recent months has been the imminent demolition of the Liam Daish terrace ahead of work starting on a brand new main stand this summer.

But injury to Matt Fish opened the door for Pooley to play in both legs of Fleet’s semi-final against Whitehawk and if selected to face Maidstone in Saturday’s final, the defender will make his 100th appearance for the club.

Pooley said: "I didn’t think it would happen but I’m more than pleased to be involved, trying to be part of getting this club up for next year.

"Daryl McMahon and the coaching staff have been great. Straight after my operation in the summer, they said ‘keep coming in, do your rehab, train, keep fit’ and it just evolved. It was just about getting back in physical shape.

"Me and Macca had a conversation, he said ‘would you be happy to stay around the squad?’ and I said ‘of course.’

"I get the best of both worlds, working to build the club off the pitch and at the same time being around the boys."

That dual involvement has give Pooley a greater appreciation of what promotion would mean for Ebbsfleet.

He said: "I get to see both sides of the coin. The nerves on Sunday were a lot more, watching those penalties, than they would have been if I was oblivious to how the club is trying to progress.

"It’s huge for the club. Dr Abdulla, along with Peter Varney, what they’re trying to build here is incredible and we need to take that next step.

"Going up would support what we’re trying to do. We’re building the stand and getting the infrastructure right to push this club forward."

Read the full interview and all of our play-off coverage in Thursday's Gravesend Messenger.