Jack Powell has revealed it was he who instigated the transfer from Ebbsfleet to Maidstone.

Powell asked manager Daryl McMahon if he could go out on loan having started just seven of Fleet's first 15 league games.

But when the Stones showed interest, it was serious and Powell was allowed to leave Stonebridge Road on a permanent deal.

Powell's final appearance for Ebbsfleet came as a substitute in their 2-0 home defeat to Harrogate on October 6.

He said: "I trained as normal on Monday and Tuesday with (the next game against) Solihull in mind.

"Ebou Adams was going out on international duty, Jack Payne had come back from (a loan spell at) Eastleigh and Andy Drury had been out of the squad for the last three or four games so I was expecting to get an opportunity to play against Solihull.

"But we shaped up some 11 v 11 stuff on Tuesday and it was likely that it was going to be Payne, Drury and Rance in midfield.

"With that in mind, I asked my agent to have a chat with the gaffer to see if it would be possible to go out on loan to get some game time, with a view to coming back.

"We've asked before, when I felt I was in a similar situation, not getting regular game time.

"I wanted to get out and get some games and then come back, like Jack Payne's done and Lawrie Wilson as well. Because some other guys in the squad have been able to do that, I felt it was right to ask.

"I've had a few games this season but there were times when maybe I deserved to play and didn't get the opportunity.

"We asked the question, got the go-ahead to have a chat with a few clubs and Maidstone showed a lot of interest very quickly. It developed from one thing to another and turned into a permanent transfer.

"It all happened quite quickly and it hasn't really sunk in yet. I played 90 minutes on Saturday but that was my first day.

"It was a bit of a shock, being a permanent transfer, but in terms of moving on to get some regular game time, it was something I wanted."

Powell scored 24 goals in 109 appearances for Ebbsfleet, having joined from Millwall in the summer of 2016.

He said: "In football, you're bound to move on from clubs eventually so you try not to get too emotionally attached to one club but where we had a successful couple of years with a similar group of players, you make friends so in terms of the lads, it was fairly emotional.

"Ebbsfleet's not the only club I've been at so I know how to deal with it but it is something I'm still processing.

"Maybe when I get the first week of training under my belt with Maidstone it will have sunk in a little bit more."

Powell's decision came after weeks of deliberation.

He said: "I've had a few chats with the manager this season, about the opportunities I was getting and about my game.

"I know I haven't produced my best football this season for Ebbsfleet. I feel I was always building towards that.

"I had some good games when I got my first little run in the team at the beginning, then I found myself out of the team again and chances were coming as a game or two here and there without regular game time.

"Although I anticipated that it was going to be a loan deal, Maidstone were pushing for it to be permanent and the fact Ebbsfleet were willing to let me go permanently, I wasn't going to ask to stay.

"It was Maidstone's call. They wanted it to be permanent and Ebbsfleet obliged."