Maidstone have followed the example of Arsenal and Chelsea by changing the name of their female team.

They have dropped the word 'Ladies' and will now be known as Maidstone United Women.

The club see it as a big step forward to bring themselves in line with the modern women's game.

John Jackson, head of women's football, said: "We hope that we've never intentionally used the word ladies to be demeaning or belittling or anything like that.

"In fact, we've always seen it as a mark of respect in much the same way you might us the term gentlemen.

"The main reason we've changed is it seems that's the modern trend that clubs are becoming a women's side, rather than a ladies' side.

"That's the thinking behind it, to get in line with the modern game.

"This season we've seen both Chelsea and Arsenal in the Women's Premier League move from ladies to women.

"We've taken that lead from other clubs, we've listened to what people have said to us and we believe we've done it for the right reasons.

"Our players are still perfectly happy for us to refer to them as ladies during the sessions because I know there are some clubs where that word is actually banned. We won't go that far."

Maidstone started the season with a 6-3 home win over Anchorians on Sunday.

They trailed 2-0 but Natalie Stacey, Amanda Beeput's 30-yard lob and a Nicola Morris strike had them in front by half-time.

Stacey and Beeput scored again after the break, while JJ Sullivan made it six.

Manager Flavio Valentino is in favour of the team rebrand.

He said: "It's a new chapter in the club. It's a modern take on football, on how the club wants to move forward. I think women is a more empowering word."

Maidstone co-owner Oliver Ash echoed the thoughts of Jackson and Valentino.

He said: "This is an important step forward into the modern age for the club.

"We seek to promote all the women’s teams and help them progress on and off the field."