Stones chairman issues apology after late Trophy postponement

Saturday 12th December 2009

MAIDSTONE UNITED chairman Paul Bowden-Brown faces more financial heartache, after the club’s FA Carlsberg Trophy tie against Histon was called off with less than two hours to go before the kick-off, writes Stephen McCartney.

Mike Green, who was covering the first round tie at Homelands Stadium, Ashford, was en-route to the ground and was in the Bearsted area before diverting to cover Sittingbourne’s home game against Fleet Town, which was free for all supporters, and attracted the club’s largest crowd of the season to Bourne Park.

Mr Bowden-Brown can now expect to pay Histon’s travel expenses for today’s inconvenience - as they were already on their way from Cambridgeshire - and for Tuesday night’s re-arranged fixture, subject, of course, to the condition of the pitch at Homelands Stadium.

“May I take this opportunity to apologise for the postponement of the match. I share the disappointment and frustration of many,” Mr Bowden-Brown said in a club statement, issued to www.maidstoneunited.co.uk.

"A lot of effort went in to preparing the pitch during the week by the Ashford groundsman Steve and their club officials. So much so I was not expecting a pitch inspection. However, a very heavy downpour in Ashford this morning was an unexpected set back.

"Ashford's groundsman and members of the club's committee were joined by some of our staff and supporters to work on the pitch when the rain stopped this morning.

"We notified the FA and the match officials of the weather before 10 o'clock this morning, as per the rules of the competition. But due to Histon leaving at 10, the FA suggested that we await the arrival of the match referee. The officials inspected the pitch when they arrived and said that despite our best efforts the pitch was not playable. They cited the safety of players and officials as the main reason for the postponement.

"This was a massive blow. Everyone had work so hard and believed that in the time before kick off more work could have been done on the pitch.

"By that time players, officials and supporters were arriving and others en-route. We immediately started spreading the word through the website, local radio and word of mouth.

"The match has been rescheduled for Tuesday evening. I am very hopeful the weather is on our side. I've already had to pay out for the match officials and will have to pay for Histon's team coach this afternoon and again on Tuesday.

"May I thank everyone for their understanding. Weather permitting; I do hope you will come along on Tuesday. Your chairman and team need your support."

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