by Alex Hoad

Maidstone United Chairman Paul Bowden-Brown says his only priority is getting the Stones in a position to start the Ryman League Premier Division season on time.

The club's immediate future is unclear as Ashford Town chairman Don Crosbie claims to have terminated Maidstone's groundshare agreement at Homelands one year into a three-year contract.

However there is confusion about whether Mr Crosbie has the authority to ban United as the ownership of the freehold to the ground - understood to belong to Town co-director Tony Betteridge, who is seeking to wind up the Nuts and Bolts - is subject to legal proceedings.

In a statement released to supporters on Thursday lunchtime Mr Bowden-Brown said: "Following the decision of Ashford Town Football Club to resign from the Ryman League and apply to enter administration, I have worked tirelessly with the Ryman League’s board of directors to secure Maidstone United’s position.

“The matter was further complicated by Ashford Town Football Club’s decision to terminate our groundshare agreement only one year into a three year contract.

"My top priority, with the support of the Ryman League board of directors and my management team, is to make sure Maidstone United start the new season as planned on Saturday, August 21."

He added: "I must thank the League’s board of directors for their assistance. It has been a very worrying time for everyone associated with the club but I am confident that this matter will be resolved to the total satisfaction of the league.”