Stones chairman: We need your support!

Monday 01st March 2010

MAIDSTONE UNITED chairman Paul Bowden-Brown has issued yet another desperate rallying cry to the club’s stay-away supporters to turn out in force for the visit of Billericay Town on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Ryman Premier League club have struggled to attract the same crowds that they attracted when they played at Sittingbourne’s Bourne Park - as gates have plummeted during their first season at Homelands Stadium in Ashford - 22 miles away from Maidstone and four miles away from the nearest train station.

Average crowds of 269 have watched their 12 home league games so far this season, and the chairman urges all supporters to don their colours and get themselves to home matches again.

Billericay Town are just one place (and three points) behind the Stones, and a win would claw the Kent club away from the relegation zone.

And more supporters will allow the club to keep it’s more senior players, especially considering Jay Saunders, Jamie Turner and Nick Barnes all left the club for one reason or another last week.

But Mr Bowden-Brown, who was speaking to www.maidstoneunited.co.uk, said: “The management team will be looking to bolster the team in the coming days. I, and all those involved with the club, are determined to secure our Ryman Premier status for next season.”

The chairman revealed that the club are now in a position to pay it’s players, despite having cash-flow problems during the woeful winter that we have experienced.

He said: “Much has been said about our budget and unpaid players expenses recently. Let me say there’s a budget in place to support the first team and secure our aims.

“And after the agreement by the players to defer the payment of their January expenses until the end of the season, due to the cancelled home games, I can confirm all players have been paid since the beginning of February as agreed.

“I won’t deny this has been a difficult season. The inclement weather and lower attendances have hit me hard.

“I’ve pulled out the stops to fund a first team and all I’d ask, as we approach the business end of the season, is that supporters back me and the team by heading to The Homelands for the remaining home fixtures.”

Quotes courtesy of www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

Maidstone United v Billericay Town

Ryman Premier League

Tuesday 2nd March 2010

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ