A section of Maidstone United supporters who took part in 'vile chanting' has led to the club being fined by the Football Association.

The FA's regulatory commission ordered the club to pay £2,500 plus costs after fans 'participated in misogynistic abuse' with chants of 'who brought the dog out? Who's the slapper in grey? She's got chlamydia' which were aimed at a female visiting supporter.

Maidstone were playing Dorking Wanderers in a midweek National League game at the Gallagher Stadium on August 16, a match watched by close to 2,500 spectators. The chant was filmed and subsequently posted on Twitter.

According to documents released by the FA, Maidstone were charged with failing to ensure that its spectators, and all persons purporting to be its supporters or followers, conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and failed to ensure those persons did not use words or otherwise behave in an improper and/or offensive and/or abusive or insult in manner with either express or implied reference to gender.

The charge alleged that "a not insignificant group of Maidstone United's supporters participated in misogynistic abuse." The Stones accepted liability at the first opportunity and the club's chief executive Bill Williams wrote to the FA expressing his disgust at the actions of a few.

The FA had written to Maidstone and requested further information, such as details of the club's preparations for the match, including measures to present misconduct from spectators.

Mr Williams replied that he had been "shocked and appalled" after seeing the video clip posted on Twitter and was "disgusted by the language that was used."

In his letter to the FA, he said: "As a father and grandfather, it sickens me that this generation has such a flippant attitude towards right and wrong."

Talking about the day of the game, he said there was "generally good-natured rivalry" between the opposition fans, adding: "Some verbal warnings were given by SIA [Security Industry Authority] stewards to those who overstepped the mark when a goal went in or who tried to encroach on the segregation line."

He said further warnings were given when "that vile chanting began." As it involved 'several individuals', stewards spoke to the group as a whole.

Maidstone later took action, using CCTV and photographic evidence to identify those responsible and warning them about their future conduct. They would have to join the youth membership scheme. All under-16s should have an adult supervisor or be a youth season ticket holder to attend games.

Mr Williams added: "A tiny minority are spoiling it for the vast majority and we will do everything we can to root out that tiny minority and continue to be a place where everyone is welcome."

Mr Williams added that the chant on the evening was "disgusting and totally out of order." He added: "I take no comfort from the assertion that it's a national problem, it's a problem that happened at my stadium and I will continue to do all I can, with the support of my matchday team, to promote high standards of behaviour and respect, and will take appropriate action against anyone prepared to go against that."

Following the incident, several young supporters were visited by a Police Community Liaison Officer.

The FA commission stated that: "There was no direct evidence of the precise numbers involved, or of the duration of the chanting."

They said: "We accept Mr Williams' assertion that Maidstone United reacted speedily and appropriately by ensuring that stewards addressed the offenders in order to quell the chanting. We also accept Mr Williams' outrage to be genuine, and note the positive steps that have been taken by Maidstone United to try to identify those responsible, and to prevent repetition.

"We also believe that Maidstone United is not a club that would encourage or tolerate such behaviour, and that it has reacted properly and appropriately."

The FA did, however, say that: "Perhaps the most potentially significant document that we have not seen is any specific pre-match risk assessment carried out by Maidstone United's safety officer.

"Such an assessment is required by the Green Guide which states that a detailed risk assessment should be undertaken for each event before determining the final number, location and duties of all safety staff, including stewards."

In conclusion, the commission accepted that Maidstone United had no advance notice of the abusive language and took steps to stop the chanting, reacted promptly and responsibly and have taken steps to ensure it didn't happen again.