by Kevin Redsull

Maidstone United chairman Paul Bowden-Brown says he will continue "burning the midnight oil" over the Bank Holiday weekend in a bid to find a new home ground.

The Stones ended their groundsharing agreement with Sittingbourne this week after failing to agree new terms.

Under Ryman League rules, Maidstone must have their home ground for next season confirmed by May 31 and Mr Bowden-Brown (pictured) is believed to be considering Ebbsfleet, Tonbridge and Ashford as possible venues after the decision to leave Bourne Park.

He said: "I have been in talks with Ashford chairman Don Crosbie, along with a number of other clubs.

"We haven’t got a lot of time to get an agreement and so myself and (general manager) Bill Williams will be burning the midnight oil over the new few days.

"Although I am feeling tired, I’m also feeling positive and want to reassure our supporters that whatever we decide will be in the best interests of this football club."

Maidstone have spent eight years at the Central Park complex while the search for a permanent home ground of their own continues but Mr Bowden-Brown decided to end the arrangement after the two clubs could not agree on financial terms for next season.

Mr Bowden-Brown has also been kept busy by boardroom developments. Two directors who represent a major shareholder in the club have resigned from their positions on the board.

Oliver Ash, who represents Richmond Participations, and Patrick Hole who is an advisor to the group, have both stepped down in order to ‘keep their options open’ after agreeing a financial loan to the Stones a year ago.

Richmond acquired a 25 per cent stake in Maidstone and lent money to the club in February 2008 when they were bidding for a grant to build a ground at Whatman Way in the county town.

That bid was rejected and the loan will be due within the next year but the group says they will support the Stones through the tough current economic conditions.