Maidstone United’s co-owners Oliver Ash and Terry Casey say all options are open to discussion as they seek fresh investment
Published: 14:00, 22 May 2024
Updated: 14:34, 22 May 2024
Maidstone United’s co-owners have reiterated their desire to attract fresh investment to the club.
The owners say they want to attract new investment “to move the club forward faster.”
More: New signing says sorry after joining the Stones
Last season’s historic FA Cup run gave the club plenty of publicity and much-needed funds to keep the books looking healthy.
Joint owners Terry Casey and Oliver Ash - who have been in charge since 2010 - are proud of what they have achieved, taking a club without a home into a 4,200-capacity stadium, but require extra funds to take it to the next level. All options are currently open to discussion.
Casey said: “It is time to attract new investors who will care for the club’s supporters and staff and look to move forward sustainably.
“The business, despite the industry we’re in, is unusually sound. We have always strived to operate at a profit so as not to burden the club with debt or risk its future given its importance to so many people in the town.
“Our first objective is to find the right person or people to come in and lead the next chapter in our rich history. Meanwhile, we will continue to give our full attention to operating the club efficiently.”
Ash added: “Maidstone United means so much to us since we developed the stadium from scratch and put our hearts and souls into the project.
“If we find the right candidates we are prepared to consider the divestment of the club business together with its modern stadium, which is owned freehold.
“We are also open to divesting the club while retaining the freehold of the stadium. All options are currently open to discussion.”
The Stones have previously been close to a takeover after discussions with local businessman Alan Manchett, but in January 2023 he withdrew his offer to buy a controlling interest following a “failure to agree on some key details of the prospective deal.”
The club’s owners say that since opening the Gallagher Stadium in 2012, “the club have been profitable every season bar one, operating a sustainable business model using a 3G pitch to bring the local community into the club.
“Pitch hire and event management have been a significant source of revenue and have attracted new support to the football club.”
Maidstone finished fourth in National South this season, missing out on promotion after a play-off defeat against Worthing at the semi-final stage.
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Luke Cawdell