Kentish Football 
Ashford Town's youth sides need to secure financial package to play at Homelands!
Sunday 08th August 2010
ASHFORD TOWN Academy manager Mark Patterson says he is disappointed that the club have been denied permission to compete in the FA Youth Cup this season, writes Stephen McCartney.
The only football that the Nuts & Bolts will be playing this season is youth team football, following the shocking decision not to play first team football in any division, following the club’s decision to withdraw from the Ryman League last month.
This has caused the break-up of the squad that stayed loyal to now departed manager Steve Lovell and fans are contemplating watching local sides this season to get their football fix.
Sole owner Tony Betteridge, who won his own personal battle to dispose Don Crosbie, who previously owned half of the club, agreed a deal for tenants Maidstone United to continue their three-year groundshare deal at Homelands Stadium, despite their first year countering problems with both clubs suffering from numerous postponements due to the over usage of the pitch.
But Patterson has revealed that the Ashford Town youth set-up have to agree a financial package with Mr Betteridge to play their home games on their very own ground!
“I’m pleased to say that we have, at last, received clearance and acceptance from the FA that we, Ashford Town Youth and Academy, are a completely separate entity from the ‘old’ Ashford Town,” Patterson told www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk.
“This means that there are no restrictions hanging over the Youth section and we can now concentrate on playing football.
“Our Sunday teams play their fixtures at The North School on Essella Road starting in early September, so if any fans fancy a trip down memory lane your support would be greatly appreciated.
“The previous owner (Don Crosbie) had agreed to the Academy team and the under 18 team playing their fixtures at Homelands this coming season and after a conversation with the present owner it is hoped that we can continue to do this although a financial agreement has yet to be reached.
“One very disappointing piece of news that did reach us is that our under 18 team have been excluded from entering the FA Youth Cup this season due to the farce surrounding the senior set-up and their demise.
“The FA have informed us that as we have no senior team competing in the FA Cup we were ineligible to enter the FA Youth Cup.”
Visit Ashford Town’s website: www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk
Visit Ashford Town’s Academy website: www.ashfordtownacademy.co.uk
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