Maidstone United's bid to the FA for funding for a new ground in the town has been unsuccessful.

The Ryman League Premier Division club had submitted a bid for £1.2m funding from the Football Foundation to help develop a community ground with an artificial pitch which could be used by youth teams as well as the club’s first team, on a site on James Whatman Way.

However after being summoned to a meeting at Soho Square on Monday, Stones chairman Paul Bowden-Brown was advised to pursue a different route in his bid to bring the Stones home.

He said: “It has been recommended that the club applies firstly for a stadium improvement grant of up to £150,000 so that work can start on-site as soon as possible to provide a redesigned standard stadium that meets the league requirements.”

He added: “We will work closely with the FA, the Football Foundation, KCFA, KCC and Maidstone Borough Council to identify a piece of land in Maidstone for our youth and local community football. It is vital we achieve this.

“We will also be seriously looking for like-minded partners across the voluntary, private and public sectors to assist the club in building this long-awaited facility and to help bring the team back to their rightful home in Maidstone.”

Hear Paul Bowden-Brown talk about the outcome of the Stones' bid for funding by clicking on the audio link at the top of the page.