30th September 2008. 9.00pm

The draw for the third qualifying round of the FA Cup (sponsored by E.on) was made at lunchtime today and the Stones have been drawn against British Gas Premier side Halesowen Town.

It will be the first time the two sides have met and Stones joint manager Alan Walker will be doing his homework ahead of the game on Saturday 11 October.

Reflecting on the draw he said: "It's not the easiest of games but it's all down to us. We've got to go out there and do our best. We'll have them watched and see what we'll be up against. They are in an equivalent league to us and judging by their position in the table have had a similiar start.

"At some stage we've got to beat these kind of teams if we are to progress in the competition.

"We'll do our homework and hopefully our supporters will enjoy a day out and get behind the team."

Our Ryman Premier Division fixture against Staines Town will be rearranged.

27th September 2008. 10.25pm

Meet our newest signing, he's six foot two (can vary) and will be appearing around Maidstone in the coming months.

Children from primary schools in the borough will be invited to take part in a competition to name him and the winner will be announced later in the year. As well as attending some home matches, he'll be entertaining children who attend the Saturday morning Mini Kickers.

He will also be making a guest appearance at the Maidstone Christmas lights switch-on in mid-November.

27th September 2008. 9.55pm

The Kent County Football Association celebrated the commitment and dedication of some of Grassroots unsung heroes at the Annual Volunteer Workforce Awards held at the Roffen Club, Rochester on 23 September 2008.

The evening which was opened by County Development Manager, Paul Dolan saw clubs, individuals, schools and teams presented with awards by special guest and Premier League Referee, Steve Bennett.

Maidstone United won the County FA Charter Standard Adult Club Award and was the regional winner too. At today's game Director of Club Welfare John Harvey who collected the awards on Tuesday, presented them to chairman Paul Bowden-Brown.

21st September 2008. 7.30pm

The club will be holding a collection on Tuesday night in support of Rob Hughes - a Sutton United player and friend of Stones midfielder John Wilfort.

Rob was attacked while on holiday in Crete back in June. In a unprovoked incident, his head was bottled and stamped on by five youths. He was left in a coma for weeks and only returned to the UK last week after a making a miraculous recovery.

The alleged attackers escaped charges because of a loop hole in Greek law but Rob faces many challenges as he continues his recovery. His family are providing round the clock care as he battles physical and mental injuries.

John Wilfort has been helping Rob's family and hopes fans from Maidstone and Dartford will support the fundraiser on Tuesday: "It's nice to see that people care about other people. It's not just about football, it'll be nice to get this young lad a bit of money. He's going to be out of work, will never be able to play football again and the recovery period could be anything up to three years. It's very important that people dig deep and help him."

Everyone at Maidstone United sends best wishes to Rob and his family.

15th September 2008. 2.00pm

FA CUP (SPONSORED BY e.ON) 2ND QUALIFYING ROUND DRAW

The draw as it affects Ryman League Premier Division and Kent clubs:

Bromley vs AFC Hornchurch
Thurrock vs Boreham Wood
Folkestone Invicta vs Horsham
Wroxham vs Heybridge Swifts/Uxbridge
Wealdstone/Bedford Town vs AFC Wimbledon
Welling United vs Horsham YMCA/Whyteleafe
St Albans City vs Harlow Town
Erith & Belvedere vs Godalming Town/Arundel
Dulwich Hamlet vs Hendon
Merstham vs Thamesmead Town
Dartford vs Hampton & Richmond Borough
Staines Town vs Hayes & Yeading United
Maidstone United vs Fisher Athletic
Hemel Hempstead Town/Harrow Borough vs Ware/Barton Rovers
Carshalton Athletic vs Leiston
Sutton United vs Billericay Town
Dover Athletic vs Needham Market/Yaxley
East Thurrock United vs Hythe Town/VCD Athletic
Brentwood Town/Arlesley Town vs Ashford Town (Middlesex)

As far as the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round Draw was concerned for Ryman League Premier Division clubs, it was a disappointing draw. With many of the 16 remaining clubs (three of who still need to win replays) drawn against higher league opposition with one all Premier Division tie.

Happiest with the draw will probably be Dover Athletic. They will welcome either Eastern Counties League Premier Division side Needham Market or United Counties League side Yaxley to Crabble. Drawing a Step 5 side at home at this stage is a bonus, especially as the majority of Ryman sides will face Blue Square South opposition. Carshalton Athletic will also face Eastern Counties League opponents as they come up against Leiston at Colston Avenue.

Dartford, Staines Town and Maidstone United have all been drawn at home to Blue Square South opposition, Hampton & Richmond Borough, Hayes & Yeading United and Fisher Athletic respectively. Wealdstone (if they beat Bedford Town in their replay) will host AFC Wimbledon at Grosvenor Vale. In the only all Ryman Premier tie Sutton United host Billericay Town.

All of the other Ryman League Premier Division clubs are drawn away from home. AFC Hornchurch, Boreham Wood and Harlow Town travel to Blue Square South sides Bromley, Thurrock and St Albans City respectively. Horsham have a tricky trip to Cheriton Road to face Folkestone Invicta, with Hendon also facing just as tricky a game away to Dulwich Hamlet. Ashford Town (Middlesex) will have to wait for the replay between Brentwood Town (Ryman 1 North) and Arlesley Town (BGB 1 Midland) to see exactly where they will travel to. Heybridge Swifts need to replay against Uxbridge before they can book a trip to the Norfolk Broads to play Eastern Counties League Wroxham.

There are four other fixtures with Kent interest. Welling United will host Horsham YMCA or Whyteleafe, Thamesmead Town have an away draw at Merstham (Ryman 1 South), Erith & Belvedere will be at home at Park View Road against either Godalming Town or Arundel and finally, two other Bulmers Kent League sides Hythe Town and VCD Athletic will replay to decide who travels to East Thurrock United.

14th September 2008. 9.30pm

Maidstone United Ladies, the club’s newest team, played their first competitive match in the South Eastern Counties Women’s League and despite losing 5-2, the team’s management are very optimistic for the future.

Their opponents enjoyed an 11-1 victory last weekend and it took them 41 minutes to breakdown the Stones defence and score their first. Crockenhill were two up before half time when a substitute scored with her first move of the game.

The Stones got a goal back before half time with a strike from Amy Nichols after 44 minutes.

In the second half Crockenhill’s experience and fitness came into play and they went on to score another three to secure a 5-1 lead. The Stones didn’t sit back though and when Natalie Larby was brought down inside the penalty area; she coolly converted the resulting kick.

Manager John Harvey was delighted with the performance: “All round the pitch the Stones had players who had worked so hard giving 100 per cent. Lisa Gilbert in goal pulled off some fantastic save and will be invaluable to us this season.

“Even though we lost it has been a very good learning curve for all the players and coaching staff and now we know what to expect. From here we can only move forward.”

Player of the Match went to Lisa Gilbert.

The next match is against London Corinthians next Sunday (21 September). Kick off at Mote Park, Maidstone is 2pm.

13th September 2008. 2.55pm

Elliot Bradbrook was presented with the Player of the Month award for August, as voted by visitors to maidstoneunited.co.uk, by Stones chairman Paul Bowden-Brown before today's game.

9th September 2008. 3.30pm

Maidstone United received some good news from Soho Square this afternoon following the club’s appeal over the dismissal of Nathan Paul in the game against Ramsgate on 2nd September.

Following a meeting of the FA's Regulatory Commission earlier today, it has been decided that the original three match suspension incurred by Nathan Paul for “serious foul play” be overturned. The Regulatory Commission viewed a DVD of the incident supplied from club cameraman John Gooch in making this decision and were satisfied that the club’s appeal was valid. Therefore, Nathan Paul will not serve a three game playing ban.

The football club would like to formally thank to thank the staff at the FA’s Disciplinary Department for their guidance and advice in this matter, particularly the advice offered by Disciplinary Manager Mark Dennis. Thanks must also be offered to the match referee from the game, Con Hatzidakis. Despite dismissing Nathan Paul during the game at Ramsgate, the referee was prepared to entertain the views of Maidstone United club officials regarding the dismissal immediately after the game.

In the days following the game at Ramsgate, Mr Hatzidakis contacted the club after having re-viewed the incident on the Maidstone United website, to inform the club that he would be supporting our appeal as he believed that the footage of the incident showed his initial decision to be incorrect. Maidstone United would like to publicly thank Mr Hatzidakis for his high degree of integrity and professionalism shown throughout the appeal process.

9th September 2008. 12.00pm

Maidstone United have appointed Tyke Harvey as their community development officer.

Tyke takes over from Adrian Smith who has taken up a role with Maidstone Borough Council.

During his time with the Stones Adrian was influential in establishing a number of community projects, including coaching sessions and summer holiday schemes, as well as building links with schools in and around Maidstone.

Chairman Paul Bowden-Brown said: "Adrian has made a lasting contribution to this club and I am grateful to him for everything he did for us. Our community work has really helped to establish the Maidstone United name among the younger generation who are essential for the club's future."

Tyke Harvey said: "I'm looking forward to taking on the community development role and continuing to raise the profile of the club and getting more young people involved in football - whether for fun or for one of our teams."

Visit www.maidstoneunited.co.uk/community for more information about the club's community programmes or call Tyke on 07912 973715.

8th September 2008. 12.00pm

The club confirmed the situation today following the red cards shown during Saturday's game with Tonbridge.

Jay Saunders will receive a two match ban to begin in 14 days meaning he will miss both the Harrow and Dartford games. However the referee rescinded the red card he showed to joint-manager Lloyd Hume.

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5th September 2008. 11.00am

The club today confirmed that it had submitted an appeal against the sending off of Nathan Paul during Tuesday nights game at Ramsgate.

The result of the appeal will probably be released next Tuesday. We'll keep you updated on the story.

3rd September 2008. 12.00pm

Major new sponsorship deal announced...Full Story