Maidstone United co-owners accept an offer to sell a controlling interest in the National League club to local businessman

MAIDSTONE UNITED co-owners Oliver Ash and Terry Casey have confirmed that they have accepted an offer to sell a controlling interest in the National League club to local businessman Alan Manchett.

Mr Manchett is a lifelong supporter of the club and for the past two seasons has been one of the club’s main business partners.

“Alan has a clear vision and ambition for the club that underpin not only long-term security but also a desire to return in due course to the English Football League,” said a joint statement from the pair.

“Alan is interested in long-term projects, such as developing the infrastructure of our stadium but has also committed to helping the club attempt to avoid relegation from the National League this season.”

The transaction is still subject to other formalities both legal and financial that have to be completed.

Both Manchett and the current co-owners, who will remain involved in the running of the club at least in the short-term, are very motivated to get the deal over the line, hopefully by early February.

The Stones are languishing within the relegation zone in the fifth-tier of English football, having collected 21 points (five wins, six draws) from their 27 league games and they are three points adrift of safety.

Two clubs whom lost their League Two status at the end of last season in the shape of Oldham Athletic and Scunthorpe United are struggling in the bottom five, while two promoted sides Gateshead and Maidstone United are also in trouble.

Oldham Athletic are currently safe (24 points from as many games), while Gateshead (22 points from 25), Torquay United (22 points from 26), Maidstone United - last season's National League South title-winners - and Scunthorpe United (19 points from 26).

The Stones parted company with manager Hakan Heyrettin, 52, on Monday and former captain, George Elokobi, 36, takes temporary charge, starting with Sunday’s trip to Notts County in The FA Trophy Fourth Round.

Notts County are top of the pile (62 points from 27 games), three points clear of Wrexham, whom have a couple of games in hand.

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