Maidstone United have received a £150,000 grant from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund to help with building their new ground at Whatman Way.

It is the maximum permissible grant the fund can award and will help ensure the project delivers excellent facilities for the club's first team, supporters, nearly 30 community teams, academy and the wider community.

Stones co-owner Terry Casey (pictured) said: "Oliver Ash (co-owner and fellow director) and I, since taking over the club, have confirmed our commitment to bringing the Stones home in 2012.

"With the help and additional funding from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, for which we are very grateful, this will be a reality.

"The Gallagher Stadium will be one of the best non-league facilities in the South-East utilising modern technology especially with the 3G playing surface and will make sure that with effective business management, the club will be in existence for many years to come."

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund and Football Foundation, said: "Supporters are an integral component of what makes football such a captivating and exciting sport, especially in this country.

"The Football Stadia Improvement Fund is committed to making sure that supporters across the football leagues have access to comfortable and safe surroundings to watch the national sport.

"The new project at Maidstone United will provide spectators with a significantly improved facility, creating a better viewing experience for home and away fans in the future."