Bivesh Gurung says he’s no longer the young pup as gears up for a big year at Maidstone.

Gurung made 42 appearances last season and will always be remembered for the stunning winner against Barrow that sent his hometown club through to the FA Cup third round.

The midfielder was among those to sign a new deal this summer and he’s ready to kick on at the Gallagher.

“It’s a big season for me,” he said. “I’m heading into my fourth season at the club, I’m 23-years-old, so I’m no longer the young pup. I feel like more of an all-round player.

“That comes with games and adding that maturity.

“I felt like I made some good strides last season and to have that opportunity to back it up with another good season and hopefully kick on some more, that’s the aim.”

Gurung wants to use his growing maturity to be a positive influence on the team in their National League South promotion bid, following the example of manager George Elokobi.

“The gaffer has helped me massively,” said Gurung.

“How he was as a player, he was relentless in his approach. He was a leader on the pitch, a communicator and he really encouraged you.

“He’s been getting on me to add that to my game as well because communication sounds like a small thing but it’s a massive part of the game.

“This season, if we’re going to do anything good and be successful, we’re going to need so many leaders in the changing room so that’s a role I need to step into as well.”

Gurung’s brilliant FA Cup strike in Maidstone’s 2-1 win over League 2 Barrow thrust him into the limelight as he made national headlines and won the goal-of-the-round award.

Generally, though, he’s more of an unsung hero, with his role as a defensive midfielder in Elokobi’s team.

Gurung, who scored his first Stones goal in a 3-1 National League win at Aldershot almost two years ago, wants to add more in attacking areas but knows his main job is to protect the backline.

“I want to contribute more goals and more assists in my game,” he said. “At the same time, I understand my role in the team.

“Where I played last season, I was mainly the sitter in the midfield so it was about being organised, talking to my team-mates, communicating and trying to be a leader on the pitch.

“I had to pick and choose my moments when I could go forward. It’s the same now, really, but hopefully I can add a few more goals.

“Playing that holding role, it’s kind of the work that goes unnoticed but, to be fair, I don’t really care about that. I don’t mind doing the dirty work for the team.

“As long as the team’s winning and functioning well then that’s the most important thing.”

Maidstone’s 2-1 play-off semi-final defeat at Worthing last season hurt Gurung.

There was the added blow of seeing team-mates who’d become good friends released days later.

“The little break was probably needed after how last season ended,” said Gurung.

“It was really disappointing but I had a good off-season, rested, recuperated, went on holiday and also put in some hard work as well, so I feel refreshed and ready to go.

“The Worthing game was hard to take, especially because everyone in the group felt like it was a season where we were going to go up and we had such a tight-knit group.

“Everyone was pulling in the same direction but it wasn’t meant to be. It was difficult to take.

“After a couple of days, where you hear the news about the people who are going to be staying on and the people who are going to be let go, it was quite upsetting because I was close with a lot of boys from last season.

“But the gaffer had his reasons and decided to go another way and, to be fair, the group that’s come in so far have been really top.”

Gurung was offered new terms, however, and it was always his intention to remain at the Gallagher.

He added: “My heart was set on staying, especially with us having unfinished business.

“I wanted to go up last season and obviously being part of the group that got relegated from the National League, I always had it in my mind to be part of the group that took the club back up.”

Maidstone host Whitehawk (3pm) in their final match of pre-season on Saturday.