Kentish Football 
Stones co-owner counts cost of wintry conditions
Wednesday 01st December 2010
MAIDSTONE UNITED’S France based co-owner Oliver Ash says the current cold snap is causing him problems.
Mr Ash was to come over to experience his first derby against Tonbridge Angels - but the heavy snow that has gripped Kent has put the lucrative Ryman Premier League clash at risk.
“It looks like we’re already into the ‘match postponed’ season and we’re still in November,” the Frenchman wrote in his blog, published on www.maidstoneunited.co.uk.
“This is bad news for everybody: we lose receipts from matches when cash-flow is tight, the fans get frustrated and travelling to and from matches is tough. I’m planning to come over from France for Saturday’s game against Tonbridge but with the weather warnings this may not be possible.
“Our commercial strategy meeting may have to be postponed too which is also bad news as we need to start raising commercial revenues as soon as possible.
“Of course it’s tempting to dream that if we had an artificial pitch it would all be different, that despite the snow we’d be the only show in town, playing in front of huge crowds of football-starved spectators, generating much needed regular revenues….but the case is still unproven on that one.
“However, plans for the new ground are progressing and we’re nearly at the stage where we can put a precise cost to the plan. When that happens we will be able to go to investors with a precise proposal for them to join the party. So hopefully we’ll know where we stand on all that by Christmas time. We will of course keep you posted.
“In the meantime please remember we depend totally on your support. Just think that in a month of snow-disrupted matches we still have to pay the running costs which amount to about £15,000!
“That’s why every £10 on match day, every bit of merchandise, every drink consumed at Homelands, all help the bottom line and show us that enough of you care about keeping the show on the road.
“The deficits should disappear when we get the ground built, that’s still the number one priority and, less than two months after the takeover, we’re still on schedule.”
Article courtesy of www.maidstoneunited.co.uk
Maidstone United v Tonbridge Angels
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 4th December 2010
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd