MAIDSTONE United FC are hoping to team up with a local construction firm to speed up the building of their new ground - provided their landlords agree.

The planned development at the MoD-owned Whatman Way site has been beset by delays but the Stones are now hoping a new partnership with Weeks Consultants will deliver a Conference-standard stadium.

The partnership would involve a company called Stadia International, headed by ITV’s Des Lynam, building the ground in exchange for the right to add on commercial facilities.

Consultant Bill Williams played a major role in brokering the deal. Williams, who managed the Stones when they won the Alliance Premier League title in 1983/84, said: “For the sort of money involved you’ll need a partnership like this. Things are starting to move a bit, which they weren’t before.”

Chairman Paul Bowden Brown said: “I must stress that we’re not going to do anything without the Ministry of Defence’s approval because they’ve been very good to us and the last thing I want to do is put their nose out of joint. But we were approached by Weeks who wanted to work with us and build a stadium that is up to Conference standards.”