Stones chairman reflects on fifteen years at the helm

Mr Paul Bowden-Brown celebrates his fifteenth year in charge of Maidstone United this season, writes Ruth Tunnell.

During this time, The Stones have achieved six promotions to rise from Division Four of the Kent County League to the Ryman Premier Division.

The club has sustained a remarkable run of success, especially considering that when Maidstone United folded in 1992 all they were left with was their training pitch on the London Road.

“I never had any aspirations of what I wanted the club to achieve when I took over,” says Mr Bowden-Brown.

“I only came to be in the position I am now as I went along to a meeting about saving the club and when they asked if anyone wanted to be Chairman of the new club Maidstone Invicta, I suddenly found myself putting my hand in the air.”

In 1996, The Stones reverted back to the name Maidstone United and it was during this year that Paul once found himself being the chairman, manager and physio when The Stones played Rusthall.

“It was a fantastic experience!” he said. “I wouldn’t do it again though. I once sacked a manager halfway through a match as in those days I did things from the heart.”

Off the pitch, Mr Bowden-Brown was keen to develop London Road so that The Stones could regain senior status but the land on which the ground was situated was owned by the adjacent Mormon Church.

“I tried to buy the land and I even considered becoming a Mormon so that I could own the land but eventually I had to make the decision to move from London Road.

“I wrote to the Kent County Football Association and explained that we were looking to ground share but at first no one came forwards.

“Then all of a sudden, Andy Spice, who is the Chairman of Sittingbourne, gave me a ring. Initially he was worried about allowing a second team to ground share especially after the previous troubles he had when Sheppey were his tenants.

“As a result we had to work hard to come to an agreement but I think both of us appreciated that the arrangement would benefit both clubs and its supporters due to the additional revenue that Sittingbourne would receive as a consequence of the ground share.

“Had it not been for Andy’s good business sense Maidstone United would not be where it is now, and all the supporters of Maidstone United Football Club should remember this.”

With the ground share with Sittingbourne now agreed, The Stones were successfully elected into the Kent League for the 2001/02 season.

“I wasn’t surprised when we were voted into the league,” said Mr Bowden-Brown.
“I had been involved in a lot of meetings with the chairman and committee prior to the election, so that they were fully aware of what our intentions were.

“There was an initial concern that the addition of Maidstone United to the league would bring problems and lead to resentment amongst other clubs but in the end every single club in that division benefited from our time in that league by the revenue spent by our travelling supporters who broke gate records as they went from ground to ground.

“The night of the decision was nerve-wracking though, especially when I had to go outside whilst the clubs cast their vote to decide on whether or not to promote us.”

Then in 2004, Mr Bowden-Brown appointed the management duo of Alan Walker and Lloyd Hume.

It took Lloyd and Alan a little while to get into their stride but the 2005/06 season was one of the most exciting for The Stones since they reformed as they clinched the Kent League title on the last day of the season and with it, promotion to Ryman League One.

“Gaining promotion out of the Kent League was more nerve wracking than the run into the Ryman League One title last season” remembers the chairman.

“I have never truly enjoyed any game as a chairman as you always want to win but I am determined that this year I am going to try and enjoy myself whether we win or lose, but on the other hand if we find ourselves having a difficult time I suppose I shall be once again smoking those cigars (if I’m allowed).”

Lloyd and Alan have achieved a tremendous run of success in the past two seasons as they clinched back to back promotions by winning the Ryman League One title on the last day of the 2006/07 season.

However, it initially took some time for the duo to put together a successful squad and at one stage some supporters were calling for the pair to be sacked but did the chairman ever consider letting Lloyd and Alan go?

“Never!” he says, “If you give good managers the tools to do the job then they will and I think they have done a first class job.”

Maidstone United may have enjoyed a lot of success on the pitch since their reformation but Mr Bowden-Brown’s main goal still remains to return The Stones back home to the county town.

Some supporters have been disappointed that it is taking as long as it is for the new ground to be built at James Whatman Way but Mr Bowden-Brown finishes by saying: “I have got the club to where we are now and I do not believe that have let anyone down at any stage, I have given total commitment to this club and its supporters and this has been sometimes inadvertently before my family and my health.

“If anyone thinks they can do a better job then perhaps they can go out and find me someone tomorrow who will give the club £1.5 million to build the stadium.

“If the process of getting the ground built does drag out then so be it because we will be coming home and believe me we are working so hard to make sure The Stones return to Maidstone.”

To read the full interview, please visit www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

Article courtesy of Ruth Tunnell - www.maidstoneunited.co.uk