Ford hits back at Stones' criticism

Friday 03rd March 2006

VCD Athletic manager Martin Ford has angrily hit back at comments made by Maidstone United’s chairman Paul Bowden-Brown about his club.

Ford, who takes his side to Whitstable Town tomorrow in the semi-finals of the Kent Senior Trophy, will take matters to the Kent County Football Association following Bowden-Brown’s comments in the Stones’ match-day programme last week.

Speaking in his notes on www.vcd-athletic.co.uk, Ford blasted: “I was not pleased when I read a copy of their match day programme against Whitstable Town with the comments made by their chairman.

“In the article it refers to our club as having no right to play our home matches at Greenwich Borough on a Thursday, abuses the league, our ground and the fact that the Kent League has allowed us a one-year deal at Greenwich Borough until our (Oakwood) ground is ready for next season.

“I have always got on well with Paul, and I have a soft spot for Maidstone, having enjoyed a successful playing period there and if things had worked out differently, I would have loved to have managed there one day.

“But for Paul to (abuse) my club the way he has done is totally out of order.”

You can read the rest of Ford’s comments on his website forum, but looking ahead to their cup tie at Belmont tomorrow, he added: “We are ready and can’t wait to give it a go. We know we are not going to win the league so this represents our best chance of glory for the club.

“Whitstable are a good side and would have done their homework on us. Hopefully we will have a few tricks up our sleeves ourselves so I am sure it will be a cracking match.

“I am sure, whoever wins, will do the final (against Beckenham Town or Tunbridge Wells) proud.”