| Share with : |
Close
|
 - del.icio.us
|
 - Digg
|
 - Facebook
|
 - reddit
|
 - StumbleUpon
|
 - Twitter
|
By Tom Howard
Maidstone United are set to hold further discussions regarding a possible groundshare with Ryman South side Chatham Town next season, according to Chats chairman Jeff Talbot.
The Stones, who have been playing their football outside of the county town since 1988, shared with Ashford Town at Homelands this season. Without an agreement for next season, the club are actively seeking the possibility of a groundshare with Chatham Town at Maidstone Road.
Maidstone chairman Paul Bowden-Brown admitted earlier this season that groundsharing with Ashford was a wrong move for the club after a number of postponements and dwindling crowds. In response, both Stones and Chatham have held discussions regarding an agreement to move to Maidstone Road for the 2010/2011 season and discussions could be set to continue this week.
Chatham chairman Talbot said: “Discussions are still ongoing and there are a lot of issues to talk about. It’s an opportunity I think both clubs cannot ignore, especially in this economic climate. There could be another meeting to discuss the groundshare on Friday. A deadline on the decision has not been set out as yet, but I hope it can be resolved as soon as possible.”
While Maidstone’s future in the Ryman Premier League is hanging in the balance, Stones general manager Bill Williams says it’s imperative the club stay in the division to attract better players for the future. The club have two more games against Bognor Regis Town and Kingstonian this week to secure their place in the division.
Williams said: “I don’t go along with talk that relegation is good for clubs. We have got two games, which are massively important this week and our future is still in our own hands. To stay at this level of football is important. In the Ryman Premier you are only two steps away from the Football League and this really helps to attract players. I know we are long way from playing back in Maidstone, but it is goal we can aim for.”
Willliams, along with manager Peter Nott and assistant Tony Cornwell, have already begun the search for players for next season.
Williams said: “We’ve identified around 27 players and have seen 12 of those play already. I’m afraid to say only one is probably good enough for Ryman Premier standard of football. The task we have got is to try and unearth a couple of gems.”
POSTED: 21/04/2010 08:00:00