Clubbing Together - Maidstone United

25/06/08 Clubbing Together - Maidstone United

Maidstone United and Maidstone Rangers Football Clubs have joined together, under the Maidstone United name, to create a major community club.

Players and officials from both clubs celebrated the announcement, which was made by Stones chairman Paul Bowden-Brown, at the end-of-season presentation held on Saturday (21 June) at Maidstone Leisure Centre.

Combining the borough’s senior semi-professional football club with one of the leading community clubs in Kent will raise the profile of Maidstone United and bring community football activity to a population of almost 140,000.

From next season there will be 25 Maidstone United teams, including the Ryman Premier Division first team, a reserve team, youth teams from under eights through to under 18s, a girls’ team and four PAN disability teams.

Chairman of Maidstone United Paul Bowden-Brown said:
“It was a very proud moment for me to see all the players, managers, coaches and their families. It brought home just how big the club is now and how far we have come since I took the helm more than 15 years ago.

”The combined club boasts a wealth of talent, both on and off the pitch, which will be invaluable as the club gears up to return to Kent’s county town.

“We have players as young as six and seven and nothing would please me more than to see them enjoying their football at our new ground.

“Our homecoming will provide a much needed community facility and with the people I have around me, it’s a dream we’re ever closer to realising.”

Players from 23 teams collected awards for their achievements, including the most improved player, sponsored by Whitehead Monckton, and the top goalscorer. Two players from each team were singled out for manager’s player and players’ player. (See Notes to Editor for the complete list).

The evening was supported by Maidstone Borough Council and Serco. Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists – Mandy Ellen Dancers – got the event under way with the routine they performed in front of millions of viewers earlier this month.

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