Stones chairman calls for support with new stadium

Paul Bowden-Brown says Maidstone United face a crucial fortnight as he works towards returning the club to Kent's county town.

The Maidstone United chairman told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk  : "In a fortnight's time I shall know exactly which route I will be taking to begin work on the construction of our new football stadium at Whatman Way.

“There are at this moment three possible options open to me and discussions are still taking place. I have, however, given all parties involved a deadline of Wednesday, 25 October to inform me if they want to be part of the project.

"This may appear abrupt and a little reckless, but to be totally candid, the whole discussion process has begun to wear me down and has been going on for far too long.

"Whatever decisions are made within the next fortnight, I want everyone connected with the club to be assured that they will be made for the benefit and well-being of Maidstone United Football Club, its supporters and the club's return to Maidstone."

Mr Bowden-Brown is keen to scotch negative rumours about the project's progress and says Dartford Football Club's new ground has increased supporters' expectations.

He said: "I have been told that there are many supporters who have criticised me personally for the length of time that it has taken to begin building work on the stadium, and some are suggesting it will never happen.

“This has been made more apparent with Dartford's imminent return to their new stadium in a couple of weeks. I might add this new stadium facility was totally developed and built by funds from Dartford Borough Council.

"My problem has always been a simple one; I do not have enough personal money at this time to build the stadium outright and so I am still hopeful that either an agency or partners will come out of these final meetings to help fund the project and allow us to build the new stadium in one hit."

The development of the stadium will bring a much-needed facility to the county town and Mr Bowden-Brown is determined to see it built.

"If I am left on my own and I have to find and secure funding myself, after very careful consideration and the blessing of my family, I have decided in the circumstances to make that commitment.

“In which case and in the worst scenario, I could only build the stadium in stages over a three-year period, all of these stages would be subject to the laid down criteria of the league we are playing in.

"This is of course the most difficult route to follow, but as all of the business plans that we have produced show a positive outlook for the long-term viability of the new stadium once the club is back in the town, it has helped me make that decision.

Mr Bowden-Brown issued an appeal to Maidstone's business community to get involved with the project, adding: "Britelite Windows has come on board and I am grateful to them for their support.

“This is an excellent opportunity for businesses and organisations in the town to be part of footballing history and help in the development of an essential facility for our town. A generation in Maidstone has missed out on having a local team to support and that needs rectifying."

Last season the club won promotion to the Ryman League Division One South and aims to climb the non-league pyramid.

Mr Bowden-Brown added: "I have always been fully committed to ensuring that we have a successful football team on the field when we make that move to come home to the new stadium.

“Making this a reality has been far more difficult for me personally than I expected, both in finding the finance and convincing other parties that this financial commitment is a valid expense and the correct way to move forward."

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