CHIEF executive of Lashings David Folb has invited the major sports clubs of Kent's county town to form a “Maidstone Alliance” to provide the clubs with more muscle.

The chairmen of The Mote Cricket Club, Maidstone Rugby Club, Maidstone Hockey Club and Maidstone United FC have accepted Mr Folb’s invitation to meet on October 27 to discuss the plan.

The main thrust of the proposal is to increase the commercial and marketing strength of the major clubs, which could in turn improve their financial strength and ambitions.

Mr Folb is a long-time critic of the town’s sporting failures and his initiative was launched before Kent County Cricket Club decided to abandon The Mote as a county championship venue.

He had hoped to bring international teams to play warm-up matches at The Mote from next year.