Oliver Ash is set to take on the Premier League as he prepares for his next battle.

The Maidstone co-owner successfully campaigned for 3G pitches to be allowed in the FA Cup and Conference.

And although the Football League continue to resist change, Mr Ash has a new fight on his mind – compensation for clubs who lose young players to professional teams.

Stones have seen academy defender Ben Swift join Premier League giants Aston Villa this season without receiving a penny. More recently, teenage full-back Aaron Simpson signed for Wolves, although he was a product of the Soccer Elite academy.

Mr Ash said: “The unfairness of academy arrangements is such that it’s simple to stir up a hornets’ nest. Here we are, asking for a little compensation from Premier League clubs who are about to benefit from a £5billion TV contract.

“It’s Premier League clubs effectively writing the rules to allow themselves to pick up players and it’s only the giant academies, who turn over millions, that are eligible for compensation.

“We’re not talking big amounts, it’s chicken feed for Premier League clubs. It requires us to shake the tree to get this issue taken seriously.

“If we’re not prepared to kick and scream and make ourselves unpopular, we won’t get anywhere."

Read the full exclusive interview in Friday's Kent Messenger.