By Alex Hoad

Maidstone's owners have vowed to continue their quest to get artificial surfaces back into English football.

The Stones have just laid a 3G pitch at their new Whatman Way ground but at the Football League’s annual conference in Portugal, clubs showed their opposition to the reintroduction of artificial surfaces. League 2 sides were in favour by a margin of 13-11, however, just two League 1 clubs and none in the Championship backed the reintroduction.

The Premier League and PFA are among the bodies to oppose the idea.

Maidstone owner Oliver Ash (pictured), who is a pioneer of the 3G4US group, said: "No panic. Football authorities will come to accept 3G synthetic turf for major matches in England. We must keep arguing the cause."

Meanwhile, black and amber seats have been installed at Whatman Way this week and more than 50 players will play in a trial game in front of Stones boss Jay Saunders on Saturday.