Ebbsfleet United have responded angrily to Maidstone United’s promise of legal action in their fight to get 3G pitches accepted by the Football Conference.

Conference clubs voted against the proposal to allow artificial surfaces at an EGM in Telford last month, meaning the Stones – who play on 3G at their Gallagher Stadium – wouldn’t be allowed up next season.

Maidstone have consulted lawyers and are prepared to take the Conference to a tribunal, news which has gone down badly at Stonebridge Road.

Fleet vice-chairman Peter Varney said: "It was disappointing to hear that Maidstone United are considering taking legal action over the recent decision by Conference clubs not to allow artificial pitches in the Conference Premier and Conference North and South.

"I think it is well-documented that we are against the introduction of artificial surfaces. In short, it is a football argument versus a commercial argument.

"Maidstone are directing a lot of criticism at the Conference board, which is unfair, as this was a decision taken by member clubs and, of course, Maidstone is not a member club.

"If the matter does go to court, it will be for clubs like ours to fund the legal costs, which again is unfair.

"If member clubs democratically come to a vote on any key issue and those against the decision taken resort to threats and legal action to try and overturn the decision, it is not – in my view – the way to do business."