The Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF), supporters of the Football Foundation, and the largest funder of non league football in the country, today announced the maximum permissible grant of £150,000 to Maidstone United Football Club.
The award provides additional funding to assist with the design and construction of their new stadium, to be known as The Gallagher Stadium, at Whatman Way in Maidstone.
Maidstone United FC have not played at their own ground in the County Town of Kent since 1988 and this additional funding will make sure that the project will deliver excellent facilities for the first team, the supporters, nearly 30 community teams, its academy and the wider community.
The FSIF is funded by the Premier League with an annual budget of £6m. It provides grants which help fund improvements at lower league football grounds in both the professional and amateur game. These improvements range from new football stands and turnstiles to floodlighting and improved provision for disabled supporters. More than £90m has already been invested by the FSIF since its launch in July 2000, helping create a safe and modern environment for fans and players to enjoy the game.
Terry Casey, Shareholder and Director of the club, said: “Oliver Ash (Co-owner and fellow Director) and I, since taking over the club, have confirmed our commitment to bringing The Stones home in 2012. With the help and additional funding from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, for which we are very grateful, this will be a reality.
“The Gallagher Stadium will be one of the best non-league facilities in the South East utilising modern technology especially with the 3G playing surface and will make sure that with effective business management, the club will be in existence for many years to come.”
Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund and Football Foundation, said: “Supporters are an integral component of what makes football such a captivating and exciting sport, especially in this country. The Football Stadia Improvement Fund is committed to make sure that supporters across the football leagues have access to comfortable and safe surroundings to watch the national sport.
“The new project at Maidstone United Football Club will provide spectators with a significantly improved facility, creating a better viewing experience for home and away fans in the future.”