It will be the third artificial turf pitch to be laid at the home of the Stones since the venue opened in July 2012.

The removal of the existing surface and laying of a new state-of-the-art pitch is due to take between three and five weeks, subject to weather conditions. FieldTurf, a world leader with more than 25,000 installations worldwide, will be carrying out the work.

This project – an investment in the region of £250,000 – has been funded from last season’s FA Cup prize money, providing a legacy from that history-making run in the world-famous competition.

Due to timescales and requirements on the recycling and disposal of the existing surface, there will not be an opportunity to sell off pieces of the old pitch.

Maidstone United have been pioneers of artificial turf pitches, with the Gallagher Stadium the first venue in the country to be constructed with a 3G pitch from the outset. In the past dozen years, countless clubs across the country have opted to swap to artificial turf to maximise the community and financial benefits that such surfaces provide.