31st May 10:00

Stephen and Efe Sodje from The Sodje Sports Foundation have presented a selection of football equipment to Maidstone United’s Pebbles Club.

Established in 2009 by brothers Stephen and Bright Sodje, the Sodje Sport Foundation is a sports development charity operating internationally.

Since its introduction, the Sodje Sports Foundation has worked tirelessly to provide support to children and young people through the development of sport programmes and by donating sports equipment to schools, and grassroots football teams using football and other sports to engage children and young people.

Stones chairman Paul Bowden-Brown presented Stephen and Efe with a set of old first team kit, which the foundation will use in its work abroad. Further kit donations will be made by the club in the coming months.

For more information about the Sodje Sports Foundation, log on to www.sodjesportsfoundation.com

Stephen and Efe also helped Maidstone United manager Peter Nott to present medals to the club’s Pebbles players to celebrate the past year.

The Pebbles Club is on every Saturday from 9am to 10am at Astor Sports and Leisure Complex, Oakwood Park, Maidstone. It is for young Stones aged from four to seven years. Each session costs £2 and offers football coaching in a fun and friendly environment. For more information, telephone Richard Edwards on 07835 421336.

28th May 23:00

Maidstone United FC's internet radio station, Stones Live!, has been named Top Sports Station 2010/2011 at the Internet Radio Awards 2010.

The awards are given to internet-only based radio stations who poll the most votes from listeners and who are then assessed by independent adjudicators.

Stones Live! won the Sports Genre award, and also came 29th in the overall internet radio station of the year award.

The radio station has been broadcasting live commentaries and magazine shows for Maidstone fans over the past two seasons. Although the club did initially assist with the purchase of some equipment, due to the club's financial state Stones Live! is currently run and funded entirely by volunteer supporters, some of whom have a background in broadcast radio.

Station Manager/Producer, Chris Bechervaise, said

"This is fantastic news, not only for the radio station, but for the Club who need as much publicity as possible regarding their plight to return to the County Town. Any money we generate from sponsorship and advertising goes to the Bring The Stones Home campaign, which is raising funds to build the new stadium at James Whatman Way, Maidstone"

A Stones fan for 24 years, the former RTM Radio presenter explained that the listenership isn't only limited to one part of Kent.

"Sometimes we look at the level of football that Maidstone United are playing at and wonder if there are any listeners out there. Clearly there are, and we have recently been informed that we have had listeners in 46 different countries across all continents."

Congratulations Chris from everyone at Maidstone United FC.

19th May 19:30

Stones chairman Paul Bowden-Brown met with shareholder Oliver Ash yesterday (18 May).

Discussions between the two are continuing positively. The shareholders will make further announcements as and when possible.

In other news, Mr Bowden-Brown and club manager Peter Nott have added their congratulations to the club's many volunteers for earning Charter Standard Community Club status in an FA competition.

Paul Bowden-Brown said:

"I have always personally appreciated the work and commitment that takes place within this club. It is always nice for it to be recognised by an independent third party. May I personally add my congratulations to you all. This club is built on the commitment, time and effort of all of you, not forgetting the boys and girls within the respective teams."

Peter Nott added:

"What an excellent achievement - well done to everybody involved."

18th May 20:30

Maidstone United FC has been named Charter Standard Community Club in an FA competition.The FA Community Awards recognise grassroots clubs and volunteers across the country and form part of Kent FA’s continued commitment to improving standards in football in the county.

Maidstone United FC boasts over 500 players covering 31 teams including boys, girls, adult men and ladies and a strong PAN Disability section. The club also offers football for the deaf.

The club supplies coaches to work in six After School Clubs and has developed Football Partnerships with three local Clubs. It also has working partnerships with two Soccer Schools. In addition the club is very proud of the strong links with Fulham FC and Charlton Athletic FC in order to offer clear exit routes for playing and volunteer workforce.

Kent FA’s Lee Suter, who is organising this year’s awards, said:

"Maidstone United are the clear definition of a Community Club with playing members from Under 7s through to the first and veteran teams, while catering for disability players and women and girls. The club has shown commitment to its amazing 120 plus volunteer workforce by offering a clear coaching pathway and opportunities to develop."

Maidstone United FC has a number of ability levels within the disability section making sure all players find their own level to assist their development gain positive football experiences. The club truly believes in ‘Football for all’.

This season the club developed an all female deaf team with all players being representing the Kent County FA in a national tournament in Coventry. For this pioneering work they were voted the best National Deaf Children Society Deaf Club of the year.

The club’s director of administration Mike Littleboy said:

“We are very honoured to receive this award from Kent FA. We are extremely proud of our volunteer workforce and we believe that our forward thinking approach will allow us to continue to move forward and build a better community for all.”

Maidstone United FC will receive the Charter Standard Community Club award at a ceremony organised by Kent FA in September.

•  Article from www.kentfa.com

17th May 18:00

The Football Association have now confirmed this afternoon the clubs that will be playing in the Ryman Football League in season 2010/11.

The constitution of the three Divisions for next season is:

Premier Division

AFC Hornchurch
Aveley
Billericay Town
Bury Town
Canvey Island
Carshalton Athletic
Concord Rangers
Cray Wanderers
Croydon Athletic
Folkestone Invicta
Harrow Borough
Hastings United
Hendon
Horsham
Kingstonian
Lowestoft Town
Maidstone United
Margate
Sutton United
Tonbridge Angels
Tooting & Mitcham United
Wealdstone

Division One North

AFC Sudbury
Brentwood Town
Cheshunt
East Thurrock United
Enfield Town
Great Wakering Rovers
Harlow Town
Heybridge Swifts
Ilford
Leyton
Maldon & Tiptree
Needham Market
Northwood
Potters Bar Town
Redbridge
Romford
Thamesmead Town
Tilbury
Waltham Abbey
Waltham Forest
Ware
Wingate & Finchley

Division One South

Ashford Town
Bognor Regis Town
Burgess Hill Town
Chatham Town
Chipstead
Corinthian-Casuals
Dulwich Hamlet
Faversham Town
Fleet Town
Godalming Town
Horsham YMCA
Leatherhead
Merstham
Metropolitan Police
Ramsgate
Sittingbourne
Walton & Hersham
Walton Casuals
Whitehawk
Whitstable Town
Whyteleafe
Worthing

15th May 14:30

Maidstone United's executive committee issue the following statement about the Football Foundation bid.

* The bid was complete and ready for submission to the Football Foundation in August 2008

* The bid was for a community facility with an artificial 3G surface to enable the youth, community and first team activities of the club to develop together. With the additional revenue streams from the facility iT was envisaged that the club could become self-financing and eventually profitable, ensuring the long-term viability of the project.

* The object was to attract enough funding to help bring the club back to the centre of Maidstone, which would have been the focus for all of our community activity and provide the central point for football in the town.

* A figure of £1,150,000 was the amount of support we were looking for from the Football Foundation and the club knew that it had to find a similar amount should the bid prove successful.

* Before submission two consultants and the Football Foundation representative were asked for their opinion on the feasibility of a successful bid, bearing in mind that this was the first time that a club had asked the Football Foundation for support for a facility that would not only allow all our club and community teams to train throughout the week, but also be able to accommodate a semi professional side playing on the artificial surface when required.

* The club believed then and still does that it is the only way forward for a club such as ours, who have a huge community programme section and pathways through those sections to play at semi professional level at the top of its Football Development Plan.

* The opinion of both consultants and the Football Foundation representative were that although they felt the bid was one of the best presentations they had ever had before them, what we were actually asking for would be difficult for them to recommend, as firstly, from their experience it was difficult to attract large amounts of first time grant funding into privately owned companies limited by shares rather than a members club with a "not for profit" policy. And secondly there wasn't at that time a 3G-pitch manufacturer who had developed a surface that could take both requirements that we were asking for.

* This was a huge disappointment to the club, in particular the Executive committee who had taken months in preparing the bid. It was however decided to ask for one more meeting with the Head of the Football Foundation at the FA headquarters where we were advised not to submit the bid, as it would be rejected, but rather come back with a Stadium Improvement bid where it would be possible to attract an amount of around £150,000. This amount, although substantial did not go anywhere near what was required to build the stadium, so to date this recommendation has not been taken up.

Where are we now?

* Let us consider that the Chairman; Paul Bowden-Brown has maintained the survival of this club since reformation, using money from his own resources, supported by valued sponsors.

* Each year the cost of running the club, in very large part to our success, has increased while the income stream in real terms has reduced.

* This is true of all football clubs across the country as anyone who follows the Premiership and Football League should understand.

* The management; on and off the field are working to try and build a real status for the Stones. The merger between Maidstone United and Maidstone Rangers created a club community structure that well exceeds the FA guidelines for future football club development in the UK.

* This community activity is Self Funding and costs the football club nothing

* The Football Foundation - As explained the Foundation could not grant funding as they had no precedent of running community and first team football on 3G and as such could not approve the grant application. Also at the time the foundation was fighting for continued funds from their prime supplier -the Premier League.

* At a recent meeting with the Foundation it was confirmed that the club can receive a stadium development grant, which at our level of the Pyramid will be £150,000 - this is conditional on the club matching at least that amount as part of their commitment to stadium development. This is issue that is and always been the problem.

* Secondly, the foundation has confirmed that it will back a separate grant request from the community section if this operation is a part of a Community Trust.

* The club is in process of establishing the Trust with the support of solicitors Whitehead Monckton.

* The club is also in the process of looking at Whatman Way development in a new way with local partners.

* The club has also secured more political support from key people who are determined to put Maidstone back on the map where sporting facilities represent a major part of enhancement of the county town.

* Paul Bowden-Brown and the Directors continue to work with other shareholders and supporters to develop JWW.

* We anticipate positive developments before the beginning of next season.

13th May 19:45

Due to a reduction in the playing budget for the forthcoming season the club have relunctantly placed striker Danny Hockton on the transfer list.

10th May 20:00

Now next season's budget has been finalised, Peter Nott has been busy speaking to all players about his plans for next season.

To date we can confirm that both Roland Edge and Lyndon Rowland will not feature for the Stones next season, both players have made a significant contribution during their spell with the club and we wish them every success for the future.

The majority of theother players have either signed or are in the process of signing, some on a contract basis , and we are currently still in discussion with a couple of players who have not yet committed but that is not uncommon at this stage. As soon as we have completed all of the formalities we will provide details of all of the players that have been signed for next season.

We are also in discussion with a couple ofpotential new signings and will keep you informed of any positive developments on this front.

7th May 16:00

Stones chairman Paul Bowden-Brown had a telephone meeting with Richard Bowden-Brown, Bill Williams and Oliver Ash to discuss club affairs and in particular the situation regarding the repayment of the Richmond loan to the club, which is overdue.

No specific agreement was reached as to how to reduce or remove this liability from the club.

However various ideas were exchanged concerning an on-going involvement of Richmond in the club and the parties agreed to consider them in more detail next week, at the end of which a further conversation is planned.

All shareholders are hopeful that an agreement can be found which will enable the club to go forward.

Archive centre builders to make history
6th May 12:00

The contractor working on Kent's new archive centre is making history by helping Maidstone United Football Club start work on their new stadium.

Club chairman Paul Bowden-Brown and Derek Nicholson of the Prime Group have been negotiating with Warings, part of the international construction group Bouygues, who are building the Kent History and Library Centre on James Whatman Way - next to the location of The Stones ground. The company has offered to level the site - the first phase and significant part of the construction programme.

It is all part of Warings' commitment to building relationships with the local community while they are working in the town.

Chairman of Maidstone United Paul Bowden-Brown said:

"I would like to thank Warings for their commitment to assist the club start work on Whatman Way and especially their offer to level the site of our new ground. It is a vital piece of work and I hope it will be the catalyst for further development on this much-needed facility for the county town of Kent.

"With the help of Derek Nicholson, the club can now produce a revised plan to show what work is required together with the required timescale and finance.

"It cannot be underestimated what the stadium will bring to Maidstone. It will bring the community together and put the town on the map. It will also reward the club's loyal supporters and volunteers who have fought alongside me for the last 20 year to give the town a team and community set-up to be proud of. It has not always been easy but, as they say, maybe the light is on the horizon."

Warings Contracts Manager Nigel Hardy said:

"As a company we are keen to support the local area in any way we can. It is good to know something will be happening on the site of Maidstone United's new stadium."

As well as developing the Kent Library and History Centre on the junction of James Whatman Way and Royal Engineers Way, Warings are also building apartments on the behalf of Housing 21 and West Kent Housing Association. For more information about the company, visit www.waringsgroup.com.

Maidstone United's stadium will initially have a 3,000 capacity, including seating for 500 people. It will incorporate a clubhouse, car parking and other facilities. As well as the home of Maidstone United and its many teams, it will also be available for use by the local community.