Exclusive by Alex Hoad

Maidstone United’s players have not been paid as club officials bid to overcome cashflow problems caused by the bad weather.

Stones players and staff will not receive their January wages until the club’s revenue flow has improved, with chairman Paul Bowden-Brown saying the step was essential for securing the club’s future.

Maidstone have only played five games in four months at their temporary home at Ashford due to a combination of bad weather and an unplayable surface. However, they are scheduled to play six home games in the next five weeks which would improve things dramatically.

The players were last paid in December and have been asked to defer four weeks’ wages, with Mr Bowden-Brown, pictured, and joint-manager Lloyd Hume guaranteeing they will receive their January money before the end of the season.

Mr Bowden-Brown said: "If we didn’t do something, then the future of the football club would be in doubt, so I have put plans in place to get over this.

"We have to cut our cloth accordingly and I’m not one to put my head in the sand."

Hume said: "We held a meeting with the players on Wednesday night after training and it was not a nice feeling.

"There were a few stony faces but I think there was a general feeling of understanding and support for the club, which was what I expected.

"Anyone can see we have had no revenue coming in but they can also see that the revenue will eventually come in.

"The players understand it but we have said that anyone who wants to leave can do so with our blessing.

"I’m not expecting anyone to do that. I’m not sure things would be better anywhere else."

Hume said he hoped the circumstances would not affect morale or peformances, adding: "We just have to roll up our sleeves."