Stones insist they will remain at Homelands

Friday 09th July 2010

MAIDSTONE UNITED insist they will remain at Homelands Stadium – despite a statement issued by landlords Ashford Town saying that the Stones had seriously violated their lease agreement, writes Stephen McCartney.

A statement issued by Ashford Town yesterday on its official website www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk said: “Due to serious violations of the lease agreement, it is unlikely that Maidstone United Football Club will be allowed to continue their groundshare agreement with Ashford Town FC at Homelands."

But Maidstone United manager, Peter Nott, told www.kentishfootball.co.uk earlier in the week, that Ashford’s off-the-field problems, did not effect the Stones, who had agreed a three-year deal to play at Homelands Stadium last summer.

He said: “Our agreement is with Tony Betteridge, the owner of the ground, and it’s all been finalised with the (Ryman) League and he’s given assurances we’ll be playing there as normal.

“We sincerely hope the situation at Ashford gets sorted out so we can have a good relationship with Ashford Town there.

Maidstone United have issued the following statement this morning on its website www.maidstoneunited.co.uk.

“The club can confirm that there has been no breach of the lease with the owners of Homelands. Therefore the club will continue to play at Homelands this season as per our groundshare agreement.

“There have been no negotiations with Sittingbourne FC and any statements to the contrary are merely speculation and not fact.”

It has been a miserable summer for the Ashford faithful, with co-chairmen battling it out in the High Court and the club currently suspended from all football due to unpaid football debts.

Manager Steve Lovell, however, insists its business as normal, as he prepares for the new season.

However, two players from last season’s squad, appear to have left the club.

Goalkeeper, Scott Chalmers-Stevens, played 90 minutes for Cray Wanderers in their convincing 3-0 win over Crockenhill last weekend, and striker Joe Fuller was spotted training with Maidstone United during the week.

To make matters worse, two club officials, Elaine and Alan Orsbourne, have resigned after 20-years loyal service.

“We have been thinking about this for the last year or so,” Mrs Orsbourne said in a statement, issued to www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk.

“However, we will not disappear off the face of the earth as football definitely gets in your blood, so we are amenable to offers and suggestions.”

With Elaine as the club secretary and husband Alan as PA announcer, the majority of fans probably do not realise the amount of other behind the scenes roles that the two have carried out, including kit management, the role of physio, fixtures secretary and boardroom hospitality.

Visit Ashford Town’s website: www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk

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