by Alex Hoad

Maidstone could be under new ownership by the end of the month as the final details of the power shift to Oliver Ash are ironed out.

Once legal paperwork has been completed and a contract signed, chairman Paul Bowden-Brown will step aside, allowing shareholder Mr Ash to step in and bring an end to a protracted process which has been going on for months.

The change in ownership was first revealed in last week’s Kent Messenger.

Mr Ash’s first act as chairman is expected to be to call a public meeting to put forward plans for the future of the club, with a timetable set out for the planned return to the county town.

The club has a 99-year lease with a view to the eventual purchase of MoD land on the banks of the River Medway at James Whatman Way.

Maidstone Borough Council granted planning permission for a football stadium in June 2004.

Mr Ash confirmed: "Any deal is very much subject to contracts being exchanged.

"If that happens, then we will arrange a full briefing on the future plans for the club."

Mr Ash is expected to hand over the day-to-day running of the club to general manager Bill Williams with Mr Bowden-Brown walking away from the club after 19 years in charge – although the KM understands it is possible he could be asked to hold a nominal honorary role in the future.

Mr Bowden-Brown is set to hand over his shares for nothing, writing off around £400,000 of personal investment, subject to the completion of financial and legal documents and the signing of a contract.

It is understood a delay of up to a fortnight is being caused by the drawing-up of paperwork for the transfer of Mr Bowden-Brown’s shares to Mr Ash but that an agreement over the repaying of the club’s creditors – a debt believed to be around £120,000 – must also be reached before power can change hands.

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