I will bring the Stones back home, vows chairman

As Maidstone United Football Club prepare to start life in the Ryman Premier Division this weekend, chairman Paul Bowden-Brown is working with a potential investor in his quest to bring football home to Kent’s county town.

Halfway through the negotiation period, Mr Bowden-Brown wanted to reassure supporters that he is committed and determined to end the 20-year absence from Maidstone and that if an agreement is reached, the stadium will be constructed in 20 weeks.

He told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk : “I find myself in a very delicate situation. In one respect I want to tell my supporters all that is going on, but I know that law prevents me from doing so at the moment.

“I have entered into a formal agreement with a company who have asked to carry out the usual business practice of “due diligence“. A period of three months was agreed, seven weeks have elapsed and I should have their decision by the middle of September.

“Under the agreement I cannot divulge the name of the company or any of the details involved. All I can say is that, if agreed, the deal will see the development of the stadium over a 20-week period and help to secure the future of the club in the medium and long term.

“I had hoped to be in a position to build the ground myself over a three-year period. However, I would not be in a position to access grant funding for a phased build and had to investigate other ways of raising the £1.5million to build the stadium in one hit.

“From the day I agreed to take over the club, I have been determined to bring the Stones home and although timescales have not been to mine or supporters’ liking, I will achieve this goal and bring a sporting venue that this town needs and deserves.”

Article courtesy of www.maidstoneunited.co.uk