My players have to concentrate on getting into my 18-man squad, says Nott

Monday 26th July 2010

MAIDSTONE UNITED are set to unveil details of their new groundsharing deal within 48 hours, reveals manager Peter Nott, writes Stephen McCartney.

Last summer The Stones signed a three-year deal to share Ashford Town’s Homelands Stadium, after moving out of Sittingbourne’s Bourne Park, but parted company after just one year with the troubled Ryman League Division One South club.

Nott, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of their pre-season friendly away to Kent League side Hythe Town, revealed that a new groundshare deal has been agreed.

He said: “The chairman has re-assured me that it’s all sorted. We’ve been sworn to secrecy for another couple of days and I think everything’s got to be signed off formerly.”

Nott insisted that the club’s off-the-field problems has not affected team morale.

He said: “The off-the-field problems, we just have to try and put out of our mind the best we can. The team has responded very, very well. Players are curious and asking questions but they’ve got nothing to worry about on that side.

“We will be in the Ryman Premier, playing at a venue in Kent and that’s all they need to know at the moment.

“They’ve got more important things to worry about as far as they’re concerned. The most important thing at the moment is to make sure they’ve got one of those 18 starting squad places by the end of next weekend.”

Nott, who knows where his side will be playing when they kick-off their home Ryman Premier League campaign against Hastings United, scheduled for 24 August.

He said: “I haven’t even told the players yet. There’s a lot of speculation at the moment. I told the players if you read the papers there may be a big clue in there, but that’s the best I can tell them at the moment.

“It has been secured and that’s good news, I think. The situation where we were at Ashford was almost an untenable situation.

“The relationship between the two clubs had deteriorated and I think for supporters it would be a hard job to get supporters down to Ashford as well.

“But at least it gives us a fresh start and it’s one we’ve got to all be positive about so we can move on from there.

“I’ve heard rumours the agreement just formally has to be signed off and it will be unveiled, all being well, within the next 48 hours.”

The Stones were held to a 1-1 draw by Ryman League Division One South side Whyteleafe at the weekend - needing a last-gasp Danny Hockton equaliser - to grab a draw at Church Road.

“Without criticising the pitch too much, it was awful,” bemoaned Nott. “It was very hard to get anything much out of the game as it was impossible to keep the ball on the ground.

The Stones drew 1-1 at Kent League side Erith & Belvedere in their opening game, and a late Adam Birchall strike saw Blue Square Bet South side Dover Athletic win 1-0 at Crabble.

Nott said: “The results have been a little bit different but we’re looking at a lot of players over this period but we’re giving it until after Saturday’s game to tell the players when those games are completed.

“We will be looking to reduce the squad from 24 (that we are carrying) to 18. We’re still experimenting over the next two games.”

Nott expects a tough examination against Scott Porter’s Hythe tomorrow.

He said: “We’re expecting a very tough game and we’re expecting a physical game. I’m sure it will be a very, very tight game. That will be good for us as we will see how some of our players cope with that side of the game.

“Hythe are without doubt a team challenging very hard to get into the Ryman and they’ve done a great job in securing some good players with Ryman experience.”

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

Hythe Town v Maidstone United

Pre-Season Friendly

Tuesday 27th July 2010

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Reachfields Stadium, Fort Road, Hythe CT21 6JS