18th November 2007. 10.30pm

Maidstone United chairman Paul Bowden-Brown and players Aaron Lacy and Nick Hegley were guests at the switch-on of Maidstone's Christmas lights.

They joined the Mayor of Maidstone Richard Ash, KMfm presenter Ant Payne and stars from the Hazlitt's panto. Steve Terrell captured the action...

KMfm's Ant Payne interviews Paul Bowden-Brown

Nick Hegley and Aaron Lacy with competition winners

Preparing for the switch-on

Lights, camera, action...

Maidstone Town Centre lights-up for the festive season

18th November 2007. 3.30pm

Alan Walker and Lloyd Hume have agreed to allow striker Alex Tiesse to go on loan for a one month spell to Ryman League Division 1 South side Leatherhead.

Tanners manager Ian Hazell has had a recent spate of player departures at Fetcham Grove and sees Tiesse as an ideal player to help out his team in the short term.

Stones will benefit from the arrangement too, as the pacy Ivorian will get some much needed match practice and will hopefully be able to regain his goal scoring touch. Tiesse is expected to make his Tanners debut on Saturday against Chipstead.

Following the recent postponement of our away fixture vs Heybridge Swifts we now have a new date: Tuesday 11th December 2007, kick off 7-30pm.

The youth side have been drawn to play a home fixture vs Folkestone Invicta in the 2nd Round of the Isthmian Youth League Cup.

The game will take place at Lordswood FC on Thursday 29th November 2007, ko 7-45pm

16th November 2007. 2.00pm

Maidstone United player/coach Jimmy Strouts has left the Stones to become joint-manager of Kent League side Faversham Town.

Stones boss Alan Walker said: "Jimmy leaves the club with our thanks and best wishes. He is a great coach and motivator and I'm sure he will do a great job at Salters Lane."

Strouts will co-manage the side with Justin Lutchford, former assistant boss at fellow Kent League side Hythe Town/

16th November 2007. 1.00pm

The Stones will be able to welcome back Lee Shearer to the squad for this weekend's trip to Margate having now completed his suspension.

Sadly though, both Errison Ahwan and Lynden Rowland remain sidelines with their injuries and won't be available on Saturday. However despite playing with knocks last weekend, both Ben Lewis and Mario McNish are fit to play on Saturday.

13th November 2007. 4.00pm

The club received some very good news today as it was announced that both Chris Smalling and Butch Ulph were informed that they have progressed to the last 32 stage of the England Schools' Under 18 trials to be held at Lilleshall in December.

This is the second successive season that Maidstone United players have made this stage of the selection process. Last season Butch Ulph again made it this far but sadly did not make the final cut, however, Sam Morrison did make the final squad and played twice for the national side agianst Belgium and Wales respectively.

Hopefully both players will be rewarded with selection this season. We will keep you updated on their progress and their quest to make the final 16 man squad in December.

12th November 2007. 11.00am

Players from Maidstone Raiders – the club’s PAN disability teams came to Bourne Park on Saturday afternoon to watch the Kent derby against Folkestone Invicta and for a special half time presentation.

The party included the Under 16 team which won the Premiership Division of the Kent Junior PAN Disability Football League in its inaugural season. In a dramatic season they beat Charlton Athletic by one point to take the title, winning 11, drawing two and losing three matches...Read more on News Extra

9th November 2007. 11.30am

The outlook for the Stones squad looked a bit rosier this morning with news that both Mario McNish and Erisson Ahwan could be back into contention, subject to late fitness tests.

Errison Ahwan has recovered very well in the last few days and was looking to do some running today to prove his fitness, whilst McNish has reported that the rest has enabled him to get over his hamstring strain. Also back in the squad is Craig Roser having returned from his honeymoon, and Andy Martin having completed his one match suspension.

However, the Stones will be without both Ben Lewis, Jimmy Strouts and Lynden Rowland as well as the suspended Lee Shearer. Speaking about the squad situation Alan Walker said; "Sadly we had to play Ben and his knee swelled up again so is definitely out for the weekend. Lynden also suffered a knock to his knee which has swelled up, but as yet we still don't know the extent of his injury."

But Walker also reflected on some of the positives; "Chris Smalling had a great game and was really the only defender who played well out there, clearing his lines when necessary and putting in some good headers, and at half-time we used him as an example to the other players on how to defend. So we're obviously delighted that he has been able to play at this level and as we saw he did not let us down, hence he'll be once again back in the squad Saturday, particularly with the uncertainties we still have over injuries."

Walker was also expecting a tough game against Folkestone; "They have done a lot of re-building over the summer, made a couple of good signings and made a good start to their season so far, so we will need to be at our best. Having said that, we are still on a very good run of home form so will be favourites to win, but we will need to take the game to them."

7th November 2007. 12.00pm

Maidstone United and Maidstone Rangers Football Clubs propose to join together, under the Maidstone United name, to create a major community club.

The combined forces of the borough’s senior semi-professional football club and one of the leading community clubs in Kent will help to raise the profile of the expanded Maidstone United and bring community football activity to a population of almost 140,000...Read more on News Extra

7th November 2007. 11.30am

Stones go into tonight's replay with potentially 5 or 6 first team players missing through either injury or suspension as they seek to progress in the FA Trophy and a home tie with Canvey Island on 24th November.

Out through suspension are Andy Martin and Lee Shearer, whilst Craig Roser will be missing whilst he is on his honeymoon. But major doubts this evening are Mario McNish and Ben Lewis. Mario has once again suffered a re-occurence of his hamstring strain, whilst Ben Lewis is still recovering from a knock to his knee. Both will need late fitness tests this evening, but neither will be risked if they are not 100% said Alan Walker today; "Whilst we want to progress in this competition, our priority has to be the league this season, so if they are not 100% they won't be risked."

Definitely out is Errsion Ahwan with his hamstring injury which is set to keep him out for at least the next two weeks and lso out will be Jimmy Strouts who picked up a groin strain during Saturday's game. Walker went on to say; "It's no surprise Jimmy picked up a strain as he has played so little first team football and then plays a full 90 minutes on Saturday. So we will be calling up both Chris Smalling and Jimmy Bodle as cover tonight as we are nearing the bare bones of the squad at the moment."

Meanwhile commenting on tonight's game, Walker continued;"The facts are on Saturday it wasn't until the last 5 minutes that they put us under any pressure as both their goals came from silly defensive errors. At the other end, we created plenty of opportunities in front of goal so we will aim to build on that tonight, with either Alex, Mo or Lynden filling in for Andy Martin."