Joe Ellul says he had tears in his eyes when he signed his new contract at Maidstone United.

The big centre-half, who on Monday was named National League South player-of-the-month for January, has never been happier.

At 33, he feels he’s playing the best football of his career and jumped at the chance to sign a deal for next season.

“Day to day, being around the boys and the fans, you can’t beat that atmosphere,” said Ellul.

“It gives me goosebumps. I literally come to football with the biggest smile on my face.

“I get no better joy than being in front of those fans, with the boys.

“I love this club more than any club I’ve ever been at and that’s a big statement because I’ve been at some decent clubs.

“This club is a million miles ahead of any club I’ve ever played for.

“When I signed my contract the other day I actually had tears in my eyes because the fact they wanted me is massive for me. It’s unreal.

"The personal awards are great but I’d trade all that in to win the league with Maidstone.”

A dominant centre-half, who’s also comfortable in possession, Ellul is a huge favourite with Maidstone fans.

He’s won back-to-back player-of-the-month votes, to go with his league award, since recovering from an ankle injury.

Manager Hakan Hayrettin is getting the best out of him and it’s no coincidence Maidstone haven’t lost a league game with Ellul in the side this season.

“I’m 33 and I’m playing the best football of my career - 1 million per cent,” he said.

“Hak brings out the best in me and the boys bring out the best in me.

“This is why Hak’s such a good manager because he didn’t put anything on us when we had our bad spell.

“Other managers would have sold us down the river. If anything, we sold him down the river because we didn’t perform for him.

“The club’s lucky to have him and he’s lucky to have the club. They’ve got the perfect relationship.

“As long as you play the fiddle to his tune, you’ll do well, and I’m lucky to be playing alongside boys who’ve been there and done it at a good level.

“They rub off on me and I think I rub off on them as well. Without being the captain, I lead by example.”

Plenty of supporters have described Ellul as the best centre-half in the league.

The compliments are nice but he takes them in his stride, with his focus firmly on the team and league glory.

“I don’t ever look at myself and say I’m the best centre-half,” said Ellul, who should be fit for Saturday’s game at Eastbourne after suffering a tight hamstring in the win over Bath last weekend.

“Don’t get me wrong, I back myself but at the same time we’ve got an unbelievable backline.

“People can say I’m the best centre-half in the league, that’s beautiful to hear, but that doesn’t win me anything.

“Winning the league doesn’t mean you need the best centre-half, you need the best team.

“We’ve got the best players in every position in this league.

“Luque’s the best left-winger, Gavin Hoyte’s the best right-back, Jack Barham’s the best striker, but unless we get the job done and at the end of the season it says Maidstone champions, it means nothing.”