News


Team’spitch for success could be double-edged


MAIDSTONE United could be facing a tough decision come the end of the season, should their present formcontinue. The Stones havemade a fine start


to the season and are in contention for a place in the National League play-offs, where the prize is a spot in the Football League. But, as things stand, promotion


to League Twowouldmean tearing up their 3G pitch and replace it with grass – or face not only miss- ing out on their promotion, but also a demotion to the level below. The Stones have been one of the


driving forces behind the 3G pitch movement in the non-league game, having laid one when the Gal- lagher Stadiumopened in 2012. They have risen up the leagues


since then, and the surface became permitted in the top flight of non- league football in 2016, justmonths before the Stoneswere promoted to that level. ShareholderOliverAsh told foot-


ball magazine FourFourTwo: “I think it’s safe to say we wouldn’t exist without this pitch. The whole business model is built around the


Business Focus


used daily,with some 1,000 young- sters playing on it everyweek. The surface greatly differs from


the much-maligned plastic pitches that Football League clubs QPR, Luton Town, OldhamAthletic and Preston North End used in the 1980s, with a truer bounce and minimal risk of friction injuries. Similar surfaces have been used in World Cup qualifiers and for the Women’sWorld Cup. When they voted on the issue in


Maidstone United’s all-weather pitch allows the club to generate much-needed funds


pitch.Most clubs at this level aren’t financially sustainable and don’t generate enough income, so have to rely on injections of cash to buy and pay their players. “But we didn’t want that; we


wanted to build a real business and generate our ownmoney. It’s tough but so farwe’ve been able to do it.” As well as ensuring that the


Stones never have games called off due to waterlogging the club are also able to rent out the pitch. It is


2014, the 72 Football League clubs were tied, but the model of the Stones is being showcased to those clubs ahead of another vote which is expected to be in June. By then, the Stones couldwell be


planning for life in the Football League – but could have already faced the decision over whether they have to rip the pitch up, as per an agreement they signed with the National League. Mr Ash added to FourFourTwo


magazine: “All themoneywemake fromhiring it outwould evaporate and it would completely destroy the connectionmadewith the local community.”


downsmail.co.uk Caught out by


speed camera AN AVERAGE of more than 180 drivers were caught speeding in Kent every day during September. Kent Police's road safety depart-


ment have tweeted out a graphic showing the scale of roadoffences in the county. The figures show that 5,411 speeding offences were regis- tered across the county. There were also 74 people caught


drivingwhile using their phones, 75 seatbelt offences, and 290 vehicles were seizedfor having no insurance. Twenty-three people were ar-


rested for drug-driving, and 157 for drink-driving.Tragically, sevenpeo- ple died on the county's roads in September,with 54 serious injuries.


Driverbanned


A MAN has been banned from driving for three years after admit- ting drink-driving inMaidstone. Stanislav Karpov (31) of Haydon


Close,was stoppedbypolice onJune 7 in Waterloo Street. He gave a breath test of 95 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35microgrammes. On October 19, magistrates


banned him from driving for 36 months. He must also carry out 40 hours of unpaid work, pay a victim surcharge of £85 and £250 in costs.


downsmail.co.uk A personal service at a time of loss


Michael Lawrence, and his son Robert along with Kim and Angela, are the team behind a family-owned funeral service that has been helping families across the Maidstone area for 37 years.


With offices in Bearsted and Barming, Family Funerals is a third generation business, experienced in caring for your needs with commitment and understanding.


At such a stressful time, they know it’s important to sit and talk to you about every detail and to assist you in making the often


4 Cavendish Way, Ashford Road, Bearsted, Maidstone ME15 8PW


01622 260200 20 Maidstone December 2017


difficult decisions about how best to remember a loved one and to meet their personal wishes.


With so many years’ experience, Family Funerals has learned how to respond to the specific and different needs of every individual facing one of the toughest times in their life. This personalised approach includes the option of home visits and access to a friendly voice at the end of the phone around the clock, as well as personal support to clients through the bereavement process.


Michael Lawrence said: "The loss of a loved


one is never easy to cope with, and the added stress of making arrangements for the service can often bring further emotional upset. With our experience of making funeral arrangements we have learned how to help families have and be part of a unique and meaningful service that


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01622 962001 Maidstone December 2017 21


celebrates life. "Our approach is simple. We sit with you in our


office or your home, taking you slowly and methodically through the various decisions that you will face and the options available to you. Sometimes, it’s just good to sit and talk, and to learn about the services and venues available from someone with experience and compassion before making a decision.”


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