Maidstone defender Sam Bone has told how cancer changed his outlook on football.

Bone, 24, was diagnosed with testicular cancer six years ago, shortly after leaving Charlton.

It was a worrying time but he recovered and went on to carve out a successful career in Ireland before returning to Maidstone and signing for his hometown club last month.

He’s in the thick of a relegation battle with the Stones but fighting cancer taught Bone the importance of perseverance in life.

“I was 18 when I had cancer and I felt like the world had collapsed on me,” said Bone.

“I was without a club at the time and I had to go through those procedures and kickstart my football career.

“It would have been very easy for me to feel sorry for myself but I rolled my sleeves up and here I am now, playing for Maidstone United.

“I’ve had a good career playing in Ireland and I’ve learnt that perseverance gets you places and we’ve got no time to feel sorry for ourselves.

“We’ve got a big run-in and we’ve got to give it everything.”

Bone had time out of football while he received treatment before moving to Ireland.

He rebuilt his career, including Irish Cup glory with St Patrick’s, and went into football with a fresh outlook.

“Everything’s fine now,” said Bone. “It was a little bit of a scare for two or three months but there’s people worse off in this world.

“I’ve had a couple of friends recently pass away and it’s not nice.

"There’s always someone out there that’s got something worse and you’ve got to be grateful for what you have.

“I found out I had cancer not long after I left Charlton.

“A month later, I was at my auntie’s wedding in Cyprus and found the lump and went from there.

“I had the operation and I was able to start playing again.

“There’s many cases where people have come back and had good careers.

“I do my yearly check-ups and here I am, just embracing playing for my hometown club.

“I look at football differently now, 100%. I go in with a different mindset now.

“I used to get a little bit anxious before games and put pressure on myself to do well. That’s gone now.

“I literally go out on the pitch with a smile on my face and embrace these occasions because it could have been taken away from me.”

Bone’s positive attitude fits in perfectly with caretaker manager George Elokobi’s methods.

The squad believe they can get out of trouble - and that’s half the battle.

“George coming in, he’s brought a sense of belief and togetherness and that’s all you can do,” said Bone.

“You’ve got to keep us with the mindset that we’re going to go into each game and get a result.

“The belief is there, 100%. When I came in four weeks ago, if someone had come in just to watch a session, you wouldn’t believe we’re bottom of the league.

“The togetherness here is incredible.

“When I came through the door I felt at home straight away and that’s credit to the boys. We’re going to fight to the end because we’re like a band of brothers in there.

“We’ve got a big game coming up at Yeovil on Saturday and we’ll see where that takes us.

“I do believe we’re one result away and once we get that result, it will give us momentum to take into the rest of the season.”