Businessman Pat Gallagher has handed Maidstone United £100,000 towards stadium improvements after signing a five-year extension to his naming rights deal.

Mr Gallagher came forward with the offer to help the Stones reach their £600,000 target for summer building work, which includes extending the main stand to raise capacity to 3,000.

It means their home ground, in James Whatman Way, will retain its Gallagher Stadium name until the end of the 2022 season.

The Gallagher Group’s association with United dates back to the days at the old London Road ground which was sold in 1988.

Mr Gallagher renewed his interest after Terry Casey and Oliver Ash took over as co-owners and returned the club to Maidstone after 24 years absence.

He said: “Let’s put it like this – I don’t think anything has happened in the last 50 years that’s been as good for the town as this club has and its owners, Terry and Oliver.

Video: Reporter Graham Stothard visits the stadium after the cash news broke

“It’s the single greatest thing I can remember in sporting terms around here.

“It was a long time from London Road to getting back here but the greatest thing of all is the way the fans have supported it.

“Everyone you talk to says Maidstone turns amber and black on a Saturday - it's brilliant.

Everyone you talk to says Maidstone turns amber and black on a Saturday – it’s brilliant

“It’s great to be part of it and that’s why we decided we’d help out to get this stand extended and get a lot more people here.

“They didn’t approach us. I just sat with my fellow directors
and family and I said I’d like to do it.

“It’s the Gallagher Stadium and it’s getting more publicity than the Emirates Stadium!

“To have it on national television during the FA Cup run, I was getting texts from every part of the United Kingdom.”

A capacity crowd of 2,226 will see Maidstone presented with the Ryman League Premier Division trophy after the final game of the season against East Thurrock tomorrow (Saturday).

Thanks to Mr Gallagher’s help, Maidstone will be able to welcome hundreds more fans on matchdays.

United co-owner Mr Casey said: “Pat and the whole Gallagher Group have been fantastic friends to the football club from day one when they started to do the building works and throughout each of the three years we’ve been here they’ve supported us in any way they can.

“It’s good business for both of us because the football club and the stadium have attracted so much attention over the last three years that it’s rubbed off on Pat and the Gallagher Group being associated with a very successful business and team.

“It works 100,000 times over for us but for them it enhances their image as supporters of local sport and local community facilities.”