24th July 12:00
Paul Bowden-Brown and Oliver Ash
The man who saved Maidstone United Football Club
almost 20 years ago will stay at the helm after takeover
talks with shareholder Oliver Ash were unsuccessful.
Club chairman Paul Bowden-Brown and Mr Ash have been
involved in detailed discussions for the last seven
weeks, which involved an extensive audit of the business.
Following this, Mr Ash felt he was not in a position
to make a formal offer. He did however indicate that
he was still prepared to look at other ideas which might
enable the club to prosper in the future. At the same
time, he confirmed that his company, Richmond Participations,
will continue to pursue the payment of the due loan.
Maidstone United chairman Paul Bowden-Brown said:
“I am disappointed as I felt it was time for
me to step aside and allow others to take the club
forward. I believed I had secured a deal verbally
with Mr Ash having agreed the terms of the original
offer made to me.
“However, we are where we are and I am now looking
at alternatives. To this end, I am prepared to write
off all my personal loans within the club in an attempt
to encourage other interested parties to come forward
and discuss with me their possible involvement, which
will include the building of a new stadium in Maidstone.
“I have also made the decision to step back and
entrust the everyday running of the club to an internal
management group that will be named in due course.
The first priority of this group will be to attempt
to secure the much-needed revenue to support the club
on and off the field for the next season and beyond.
“By taking this step it will allow me, along
with others, to focus our energies on raising the
capital required to build the new ground and fulfil
the ambition I set.”
Maidstone United start the 2010/11 Ryman Premier Division
season away at Harrow Borough on Saturday 21 August,
followed by a home fixture against Hastings United on
Tuesday 24 August.
22nd July 12:45
Stones chairman Paul Bowden-Brown
has made a further statement regarding the situation
with Ashford Town.
Paul
said:
“Following the decision of Ashford Town Football
Club to resign from the Ryman League and apply to
enter administration, I have worked tirelessly with
the league’s board of directors to secure Maidstone
United’s position.
“The
matter was further complicated by Ashford Town Football
Club’s decision to terminate our groundshare
agreement only one year into a three year contract.
My top priority, with the support of the Ryman League
Board of Directors and my management team, is to make
sure Maidstone United start the new season as planned
on Saturday 21 August.
“I
must thank the league’s Board of Directors for
their assistance. It has been a very worrying time
for everyone associated with the club but I am confident
that this matter will be resolved to the total satisfaction
of the league.”
20th July 09:45
Ahead of tonight's pre-season
match against Dover Athletic, Stones chairman Paul Bowden-Brown
has thanked the club's management team for all their
efforts in the close season.
Paul said:
“I have been most impressed by the way Peter
and his management team have prepared for the new
season. Peter has made some key signings and offered
trialists the chance of a first team place. New coach
Steve Nolan has put together a thorough fitness and
training programme, which I am aware is already having
a positive impact.
"I offer a warm welcome to the new players
and welcome back those from last season. From what
I have heard, there is a real buzz around the players
and management. That's a great platform from which
to build on with the new season just weeks away.
"I hope the squad and supporters enjoy tonight's
match against our good friends at Dover.
"While matters on the pitch are very settled,
there are still outstanding matters off the pitch.
May I add that these are receiving the utmost priority.
All parties are fully aware that this fine club has
a responsibility to all our teams, supporters, volunteers
and others. I will advise on any updates when possible."
19th July 18:30
A further announcement has
been made on Ashford Town's website today about the
groundshare agreement.
Maidstone United FC totally refute the contents of
this latest statement. The Board of the Isthmian League
were made aware of the club's position when the original
statement was made on the www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk.
Since that date the club have involved the officials
of the league throughout.
The club would like to reassure supporters that resolving
this issue is a top priority and it will be handled
in a professional manner.
12th July 14:30
Maidstone United are pleased
to announce the signing of 19 year old goalkeeper Harry
Lee.
Harry has recently been released by Charlton FC and
has also represented Eire at both under 18 and under
16 levels. He is a very promising keeper and is no stranger
to the Stones having previously played for our Ryman
Youth team under Tony Cornwell's management whilst on
loan from Charlton. Also during his time at Charlton
he was loaned out to Arsenal and played a small part
in their successful FA Youth cup campaign. Harry will
work alongside Andy Walker under the guidance of goalkeeping
coach Alan Rogers and is a very important addition to
the first team squad.
On the goalkeeping front we thank both Adam Harris
and Richard Knell for their past contributions and wish
them every success for the future, Adam has joined Sittingbourne
in his quest for first team football and Richard's job
means that he has to relocate to the London area and
therefore will be seeking a new club.
10th July 12:00
It's pushing 30 degrees -
perfect conditions for a strenuous training session.
Whatever happened to laid back pre-seasons?!?
10th July 11:00
Maidstone United hit the
shops today. Stones boss Peter Nott joined club volunteers
and Iggy The Dinosaur at the Fremlin Walk Shopping Centre.
It was the second of two summer roadshows at the popular
centre. A big thank you to all the team at Fremlin Walk
for hosting the club.
9th July 11:00
This morning Ashford Town Football Club issued
a statement on their official website claiming that
Maidstone United were unlikely to be allowed to continue
their groundshare agreement at Homelands. The club has
moved quickly to clarify the situation and issued the
following statement this morning:
"The club can confirm that there has been
no breach of the lease with the owners of Homelands.
Therefore the club will continue to play at Homelands
this season as per our groundshare agreement. There
have been no negotiations with Sittingbourne FC and
any statements to the contrary are merely speculation
and not fact"
8th July 16:00
The draws for the FA Cup, FA Trophy and FA
Youth Cup were announced today.
THE FA CUP SPONSORED BY E.ON FIRST ROUND QUALIFYING
Saturday 11 September
AWAY to either Molesey, Hartley Wintney or Whitehawk
THE FA CARLSBERG TROPHY PRELIMINARY ROUND
Saturday 2 October
HOME to Burgess Hill Town
THE FA YOUTH CUP SPONSORED BY E.ON PRELIMINARY ROUND
Week commencing 6 September
AWAY to Lingfield
8th July 11:30
Amanda Belcher
Maidstone United footballer
Amanda Belcher has been invited to a trial for the England
Women’s Deaf Team.
Amanda, who lives in Gillingham, will travel to Lilleshall
National Sports Centre in Newport this weekend (9-11
July). Having been spotted at a deaf football tournament
earlier this year, she is hoping to impress coaching
staff during the three day session.
Amanda said:
“I couldn’t believe it when I was told
about the trial. It is an amazing opportunity, the
chance to possibly play for the national team. I’m
a bit nervous but looking forward to it a lot.”
Maidstone United Club Development Officer John
Harvey said:
“I am absolutely delighted for Amanda. She
is a very skilful player who thoroughly deserves this
opportunity. Amanda shines on the football pitch.
Her attitude and confidence are an inspiration to
others and she is proof that if you put the effort
in you will get your rewards. Everyone at Maidstone
United wishes her all the very best.”
Kent FA Disability Development Officer Stephanie
Gadd said:
“I am delighted Amanda has been invited to
train with the England Deaf Ladies squad. We are working
extremely hard to attract more female players with
disabilities into local grassroots clubs and hopefully
her achievement can inspire other girls to start playing
football and create more girls teams to compete in
the Kent disability leagues..
Maidstone United are recognised as one of the leading
football clubs in the country for deaf football. Last
November the club won the Deaf Friendly Football Club
of the Year award in a national competition ran by National
Deaf Children’s Society.
7th July 23:00
Last night Peter Nott assembled
the players for pre-season training. Let's meet those
vying for a place in next season's squad.
Top row (left to right): Steve Elliott, James
Peacock, James Savage, Ashley Ulph.
Second row (left to right): Adrian Stone, Jermaine
Darlington, Rob Carter, Nick Davis.
Third row (left to right): Keelan Mooney, Andy
Walker, Ant Bodle, Aaron Campbell.
Lower left corner (clockwise): Tom Parkinson,
Antonio Gonnella, Jonathan Coleman, Danny Hockton, Marc
Cumberbatch, Harry Lee.
Lower right corner (clockwise): Simon Petit,
Joe Fuller, Marc Clarey, Alex Flisher.
6th July 22:30
Stones boss Peter Nott talks
about pre-season preparations as the squad meet for
the first training session.
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