Kentish Football 
Smalling's cash will come in handy, says Stones chairman
Thursday 28th January 2010
Cash-strapped Maidstone United are celebrating a cash windfall after Chris Smalling's move to Manchester United.
The 20-year defender played Ryman League football for the Kent side until 2008 when he moved to Premier League club Fulham.
Stones have been unable to pay their players since 5 December, but Smalling's transfer from Fulham has triggered a compensation agreement.
"To say the money will come in handy is an understatement," Stones chairman Paul Bowden-Brown told BBC Radio Kent.
He paid tribute to the club's youth development staff for 20-year-old Smalling's emergence as a Premier League player.
"The guys who brought him through deserve all the credit. I only wish we could gain greater financial benefit for their work," he said.
Speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, the Stones Chairman emphasised his delight for the rapid rise that his former defender has made.
He said: "All I would like to say to Chris is that I wish him and his family all the very best and I only wish that the rules of football allowed clubs like us who brought youngsters such as Chris through to benefit from what they achieve.
"I’ve no complaints about how Fulham have handled themselves in this whole scenario or even Manchester United – I just wish the rules allowed the clubs who bring this talent through first to benefit for all the Youth development right the way from 5 years old in some cases.”
“There is a minimal compensation agreement in place between ourselves and Fulham for which we are very grateful as lets be honest the way things stand Fulham didn’t have to offer us a penny – it’s a compensation agreement on the number of time Chris plays for Fulham and I think he reached that this week.”
Looking ahead, the Chairman then issued a rallying cry to all Stones fans.
He said: “For the fans of Maidstone United this is something that is happening in January of 2010 and lets hope he’s the future – we wish all the players that come through the system all the very best.
"Whatever Chris does and achieves, lets hope that a few others out there can go the same way."
He added: “Lets face it though its all a help as we’ve only had two home matches since early December – it’s a great thing that we can't take away from Chris, but at the same time I have to be honest as Chairman of this club, the money will come in very very handy – its something that we’ve just got to use and work with.
"But its not just money – it’s the club, the supporters it’s the volunteers that put all those hours of work into it that ensure people like Chris get the backing and get the support and then the people watch them as they play for Maidstone United.”
He said: "All I would like to say to Chris is that I wish him and his family all the very best and I only wish that the rules of football allowed clubs like us who brought youngsters such as Chris through to benefit from what they achieve.
"I’ve no complaints about how Fulham have handled themselves in this whole scenario or even Manchester United – I just wish the rules allowed the clubs who bring this talent through first to benefit for all the Youth development right the way from 5 years old in some cases.”
“There is a minimal compensation agreement in place between ourselves and Fulham for which we are very grateful as lets be honest the way things stand Fulham didn’t have to offer us a penny – it’s a compensation agreement on the number of time Chris plays for Fulham and I think he reached that this week.”
Looking ahead, the Chairman then issued a rallying cry to all Stones fans.
He said: “For the fans of Maidstone United this is something that is happening in January of 2010 and lets hope he’s the future – we wish all the players that come through the system all the very best.
"Whatever Chris does and achieves, lets hope that a few others out there can go the same way."
He added: “Lets face it though its all a help as we’ve only had two home matches since early December – it’s a great thing that we can't take away from Chris, but at the same time I have to be honest as Chairman of this club, the money will come in very very handy – its something that we’ve just got to use and work with.
"But its not just money – it’s the club, the supporters it’s the volunteers that put all those hours of work into it that ensure people like Chris get the backing and get the support and then the people watch them as they play for Maidstone United.”
Joint-manager Alan Walker, a former Millwall and Gillingham central defender, believes Smalling could go all the way and become an England international.
Walker told BBC Radio Kent: "His attitude has always been first class and I know he will go a long way because he is so willing to listen.
"There is no reason why he shouldn't one day play for England."
Smalling is not the first Maidstone youngster to join Manchester United. Sean McGinty, who was on Charlton's books, left The Valley for Old Trafford last summer.
Stones received another cash injection earlier in the week when they were awarded £5,000 from the FA Trophy pool after Histon were expelled from the competition for fielding an ineligible player against them and will travel to Blue Square Premier side Salisbury City in the second round on Saturday.
Some article content courtesy of BBC Radio Kent - www.bbc.co.uk/kent
Visit Maidstone United’s websites: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk & www.bringthestoneshome.co.uk
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