Maidstone United director Terry Casey has told the club’s fans that work starting on Monday at their new ground will result in their homecoming.

Several false dawns have left many wondering if Stones will ever return to the County Town, but Mr Casey, pictured, and fellow shareholder Oliver Ash are bankrolling the majority of the £1.6million project to return the club to Maidstone – where they last played in 1988.

Mr Casey said: "We have despaired plenty of times in the past nine or 10 months, even in the past few days, with all the paperwork and bureaucracy but we have overcome it.

"I know there is a lot of scepticism still. I know there have been photocalls and publicity stunts at the site before. People are entitled to be sceptical but I am not worried – this is happening. They can come and see for themselves."

"The delays have always been paperwork. There was a hold-up with the freehold, a hold-up with the land bank, a hold-up with the planning variations.

"I will not be on the site and then suddenly realise this is happening because I’ve always known it would. The moment I’ll probably get goosebumps is when I’m sat in the stand at the first game."

That game is still planned for next summer, with Mr Casey adding: "The FA will make preliminary site visits in March or April but we need them to sign it off in May."

The club will hold an Open Day at the new ground on Saturday, October 1 from 10am-noon for fans to join club officials and celebrate the start of work.

Picture: Steve Terrell