Defender Nathan Paul in the middle of tug-of-war

Wednesday 17th June 2009

MAIDSTONE UNITED have tonight told Kent League side Beckenham Town to back off, following their approach for wing-back Nathan Paul, writes Stephen McCartney.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk published an article that was originally published on Beckenham Town's official website, which claimed that Paul had signed for Beckenham Town from the Ryman Premier League club.

Beckenham Town claimed that "manager Jason Huntley had revealed his first piece of his re-building jigsaw by announcing the capture of top defender Nathan Paul from Ryman League Premier Division Maidstone United."

Club secretary Peter Palmer told www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk : "We hope signing Nathan sends out a message of our intentions this season, this is a major capture for us."

Maidstone United secretary Darren Lovell contacted www.kentishfootball.co.uk within two hours of the article being published on this website - and insisted that the nippy wing-back, who resides in Peckham and has only just turned 24 years of age, had put pen to paper for the Stones last month.

"Following the claims of a Kent League club today regarding their alleged signing of Maidstone United defender Nathan Paul, The Stones would like to confirm that the player has been registered on Isthmian League forms with Maidstone United for season 2009-2010 since 15th May," he said.

"Club officials from Maidstone United were extremely surprised to see the article carried on www.kentishfootball.co.uk and indeed the club website of the Kent League side involved.

"As a result co-manager Lloyd Hume has spoken to Nathan Paul early this evening and has confirmation from Nathan himself that he has not signed, nor has he any intention of signing for the club making the claims."

Hume added: "Nathan works on occasion for the business run by the secretary of the club making this claim and as a result of this relationship and indeed their long standing friendship, the matter of Nathan playing for his "boss" does raise itself occasionally.

"I am 100% certain that Nathan Paul will be playing his football for Maidstone United on the opening day of the new season and would like to assure all Maidstone United supporters that this is the case."

But Beckenham Town spokesman Jason Taylor, then added: "I can confirm, despite what Darren Lovell says, Nathan has signed for Beckenham Town Football Club."

Visit Beckenham Town's website: www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk

Visit Maidstone United's website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk