30th July 2006. 11.00am

Richard has signed a 2nd year YTS Agreement with Gillingham as he seeks to carve out a career as a full time professional footballer. He has already had 1st team squad involvement in pre-season when he was on the bench for Gillingham's recent friendly against Bromley.

Although, he has not been granted a full professional contract at this stage, Richard now has the chance to reach this target as a trainee footballer.

Maidstone manager Alan Walker said "I'm absolutely delighted for the kid. It's always great when someone you work with is allowed to have the chance to follow his dream. After his initial trial, he has made a strong enough impression at Priestfield to be offered the chance to progress in the game. When he first rang me up to say that he'd got a year at Gillingham, we were under the impression that it was a full pro contract. ooking a little closer at the situation and after speaking to some of the people I know in The Gills set up, it is clear that it is a trainee package that Richard has been offered. It is still a wonderful achievement on his part and I think that everybody connected with our club is absolutely delighted that he's got a chance at a pro club."

15th July 2006. 12.00pm

Work is currently ongoing at Bourne Park to install two new floodlight pylons at the far end of the ground.

Sittingbourne club secretary John Pitts says "Hopefully, this will eliminate the situation where the pitch suffers from a dark shadowy area at the far end of the ground which is caused by the current configuration of lighting and by shadow cast by the main stand."

14th July 2006. 8.00am

Maidstone United Football Club is at this year's Kent Show.

The Stones will be at the Kent Show from Friday 14-Sunday 16 July. Visit our stand in the Adrenaline Zone at the Kent Showground, which is off junction 7 from the M20. There show boasts two miles of Shopping, Live Music, Entertainment, Food Courts, Funfair, Interactive Exhibitions, Rural Crafts, Food Festival, Flower Show and Floral Art Competition, Show Gardens, Arena Displays, Countryside Area, Motor Zone, Steam Giants of the Past, Woodland Walk, Titan the Robot, Baking Through The Ages, BBC Garden Roadshow, Education fun and learning, Adrenaline Zone, The KM Band, Salvation Army Band, The Black Knights - American marching band and more! www.kentshow.co.uk

13th July 2006. 3.00pm

Today, Richard Bowden-Brown released the following statement on behalf of The Chairman:

"My father, last Friday, in London Bridge Hospital had a procedure known as a C5/6 microdisdectomy together with other minor procedures. He was previously advised that the operation would go through the throat, but unfortunately due to blood clotting problems they had to operate to the rear of his neck and skull resulting in a wound of 28 staples (Dad had to be one up on the guy with 7 staples!)

" Dad is in fine spirits although still in a lot of pain and discomfort but was discharged today to start the 8-10 week recovery process at home which unfortunately means he will be unable to attend the opening games of the season. On behalf of my father and my family would like to thank all those supporters who have sent good wishes for him."

12th July 2006. 5.00pm

There's a change of date for the FA Cup Preliminary Round (sponsored bt E.ON).

Due to both ourselves and Sittingbourne being drawn at home in the Preliminary Round of this season's FA Cup it has been necessary for us to move our fixture vs Burgess Hill Town to Sunday 3rd September 2006. The kick off time will be 3pm.

11th July 2006. 8.00pm

Maidstone United Football Club today confirmed that Chris Hiscock would be stepping down from his position as first team coach and taking up a new role as chief scout for this coming season.

The club's management made the decision with the full support of the Board of Directors, following a conversation with Chris over his recent Football Association ban.

Commenting on the ban, Chris Hiscock said: "In 2003 I was found guilty of a drug related offence, which was totally out of character and something I deeply regret. Unfortunately for me the FA dictate that anyone with a drug related conviction received in the last five years would be banned from any football involving under 18 players. The ban will be reviewed in two years time.

"It would be impossible for me to work in a coaching capacity with any senior side until the ban is lifted, because whenever a youth player was either brought to training or selected to play in the first team, under the present laws I would not be able to be involved."

Chairman Paul Bowden-Brown added: "We were fully aware of Chris' background when he joined the club and as far as his new role with us is concerned, he will continue to enjoy the full confidence of the Board of Directors. His record here at the club speaks for itself and we know that he will do an excellent job of work, not only scouting the opposition, but by bringing new players to the club and in that way, while serving his ban will contribute to further success on the field."

7th July 2006. 11.00am

The draws for both the FA Cup and FA Trophy were made today, and although Stones have been given home draws in both their opening games, it's going to be tough for the Stones according to Alan Walker.

We enter this seasons FA Cup in the Preliminary Round where we face fellow Ryman South side Burgess Hill at home. They had a disappointing season last year finishing 19th in the league. In last years cup after a comfortable win against Molesey they went out 4-0 at home to Walton & Hersham. Should we beat Burgess Hill, we have an equally tough tie away to Ashford Town (Middlesex) from the Ryman League Premier Division. They were another team promoted last season but last season had a similarly short run in the FA Cup going out to AFC Wimbledon in the First Qualifying Round, albeit after a replay.

Stones also re-enter the FA Trophy this season after a long absence from the competition. where we entertain last years FA Vase semi-finalists Bury Town who will be playing in the Ryman League North this season after being promoted last season. Finishing second above AFC Sudbury they scored 100 goals last season in 42 games so will be a dangerous side and repeated that record with an 8-0 victory in the FA Cup Preliminary Round game last season. However it was in the Vase where they had success reaching the semi-final going out to eventual runners-up Hillingdon Borough. The winners of the tie then have a daunting trip to Jeff King's (Ex-Canvey Island) Chelmsford City. Last year they finished a creditable 10th in a highly competitive Ryman Premier League but their run in the FA Trophy was also cut short with a 2nd Qualifying Round exit to Braintree having demolished Horsham 6-0 in the last round.

Speaking about both draws Alan Walker spoke about how tough these draws would be; "Whilst it's nice to have home draws in the 1st rounds of both competitions they are both very, very tough draws. In terms of the Trophy, we are now mixing it with the big boys in a competition I won when I was playing at Telford. We know very little of Bury, but they play at the same level so once again a tough game, then Ashford play in the Premier Division so once again no pushovers."

"As for the FA Cup, we've been unlucky to draw teams at our level and above, Burgess Hill are a decent, well-organised side and will be a tough team to beat and should we go through then Chelmsford will be a very difficult tie, managed by Jeff King who has a lot of experience at the higher levels of non-league football and a lot of money backing him. So in both, we certainly don't have an easy task on our hands but we'll be aiming to give a good account of ourselves and go as far as we can and as we all know, anything can happen in these competitions!"

Finally, and not least, the draw was also made for the FA Youth Cup today and the young Stones have a home tie in the First Qualifying Round against Colliers Wood week commencing 25th Sept. Victory in that game will take them into the 2nd Qualifying Round where they would face either Whitstable or Lewes. As ever, your support of the youth side would be more than welcome, and considering their recent successes in this competition, they could go a long way this year to a potential encounter with a league side!

6th July 2006. 11.00am

The Chairman, Paul Bowden-Brown wished to thank everyone for their best wishes for his forthcoming operation tomorrow.

He had been due to have his operation earlier in the week but it was put back to this Friday. Speaking today Paul confirmed that he be leaving the running of the club in the hands of Richard Bowden-Brown and Bill Williams during the 6-8 days following his operation and he hoped that the running of the club will be back to normal following his 6-8 week recovery period.

3rd July 2006. 8.00pm

Congratulations go to Stones' Programme Editor Ian Tucker as his sterling efforts with the matchday programme have again been rewarded by Soccer Shops National Programme Survey. Ian's efforts last season ensured that our programme was ranked as the best Kent League programme.

Kent League Standings: 1st Maidstone United, 2nd Tunbridge Wells, 3rd Erith & Belvedere

Looking at the picture nationally and things become quite impressive. 'Stones' Review' increased on its' previous year's placing of 50th by being ranked 36th amongst all non-league clubs.

No other Kent non league club featured in the Top 40 and so it is with some pride that the club can state that it's matchday programme outshines that of rivals such as Gravesend, Welling, Margate, Bromley, Tonbridge, Dover and Dartford.

Once again, congratulations Ian, don't let the standard slip!

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