Jacob Mensah is determined to prove his worth at Maidstone after a challenging few months.

Mensah was manager Hakan Hayrettin’s man-of-the-match following a solid debut in central defence as the Stones drew 1-1 with FC Halifax last weekend.

He hadn’t played since being released by League 1 Morecambe at the end of last season but you’d never have known.

Mensah made four appearances for the Shrimps - not enough to earn a contract extension - and joined Maidstone last week after a period training at the Gallagher.

The 22-year-old hit the headlines three-and-a-half years ago when Premier League Crystal Palace signed him from Ramsgate.

He’s now looking to rebuild his career and help Maidstone push up the National League table.

“I’ve been training regularly and getting to know the boys,” said Mensah, who lives in Margate.

“It’s been tough since not getting a new contract at Morecambe, so I just needed to tick over and stay professional.

“The opportunity came up here with Hak and, next thing, I’ve signed and I’m playing.

“I just want to play at the end of the day and to get the opportunity at such a great club, with a great fanbase and a great bunch of lads, I’m happy with that.

“I take on any challenge head-first and to be able to have the opportunity to improve any team I go into is my sole aim.

“I hope we can get together and push in the right direction.

“Watching the Barnet game last week (4-3 defeat) there’s a few unlucky things happening but that always happens.

“Life’s unfair and so is football. You just need to push on in the right direction and work hard.”

Mensah broke into the Ramsgate team aged 16 under former Maidstone boss Jim Ward.

Another Stones old boy, Nick Davis, was in charge at Southwood when the youngster got his move to Crystal Palace.

The Eagles beat off competition from a number of clubs, including fierce rivals Brighton, to land Mensah and what an experience it was, even though he left after a year.

Former England boss Roy Hodgson was in charge at Selhurst Park, while he was coached in the under-21s by ex-Palace players Richard Shaw and Shaun Derry.

“Do you know what, when I was at Ramsgate, I didn’t even think about taking football seriously,” said Mensah.

“I just thought, ‘Look, I’m playing at the weekend and enjoying myself with a good bunch of lads’ so when the Palace move came about I was amazed.

“These things don’t happen often, so I wanted to grab it with both hands.

“Roy Hodgson is a lovely guy, he’s got such a nice temperament and he gives everyone the time of day.

“There’s some managers who pick their favourites and don’t want speak to the youth but he welcomes you with open arms.

“I also had Richard Shaw, who signed me in the under-21s, and then Shaun Derry, so they’re good coaches and I learnt a lot.

“Coming from the league I did, I learned so much at Palace but there was still a level to go to make the breakthrough.

“It’s all well and good in a year getting that experience but then Covid hit and we missed the rest of the season. It is what it is, you’ve got to move on.”

Mensah went on to play for Weymouth in the National League before moving north to join Morecambe.