MAIDSTONE United have been condemned over the Kent Youth League's unprecedented decision to abort last season's John Ullman Cup competition.

The club fielded an ineligible player against Fisher on April 6 and were expelled after reaching the quarter-finals where they would have met Gillingham.

Maidstone appealed, first to the league and then the KCFA, who upheld the decision.

In his report, to be presented to the lower league's annual meeting on Tuesday, fixtures secretary Barry Jeffery launches a forthright attack on the club.

Without naming Maidstone, he said: "The biggest disappointment of all for me is that the season could not be completed.

"To appeal is, of course, their right, and it is understood that they did so innocently. But they have admitted the offence, so why appeal and ruin the competition for other clubs?

"They were guilty of the offence. Innocence in not knowing at the time cannot be used as an excuse."

League chief executive Colin Boswell confirmed that the league are looking for a new sponsor after the agreement with MUSH ended.