News


downsmail.co.uk Stones’ backing is extended


DESPITE a poor opening to the new season as a newly-relegated teamin the National League South, themanagement ofMaidstone United did have something to crowabout.


TheGallagherGroup, the build-


ing company, extended the nam- ing rights’ deal by another 10 years, taking the partnershipwith the Stones into a 20th year. Chairman Pat Gallagher said he


was “delighted” to renew the arrangement until at least 2032. The Stones havemuch forwhich


to thank the company, which has helped rehome and rebuild the moribund side at the Gallagher Stadium. He said: “We are extremely


proud of everything the club have achieved since returning to the town in 2012. The stadium has beenmentioned tome all over the world and that is testament to the success of everyone involved. The club has put the town of Maid- stone on themap.” The Gallagher Group was the


main contractor for the stadium build and the naming rights deal was first announced in January 2012, seven months before the in- augural game against Brighton andHoveAlbion. The all-weather pitch and allied


facilities have transformed the ground into a viable business, sup- portingmany community projects. Director Stephen Gallagher


added: “The reason we have de- cided to extend our naming rights at this time is to reinforce our sup- port for the club and the owners. “We have faced many chal-


lenges in business over the years so understand the range of emo-


Two held after


town car blaze TWO people have been arrested following a car fire inMaidstone. Officerswere called to the scene


of a blaze inDickens Road on July 24. One fire engine also attended and firefighters wearing breath- ing apparatus used a hose and compressed air foam to extin- guish the fire. A Kent Police spokesman said:


“A 38-year-old woman from Maidstonewas arrested on suspi- cion of arson and she remains in custody as enquiries continue. “A29-year-oldman fromMaid-


stone was also arrested on suspi- cion of causing criminal damage. He remains in custody.”


12 Maidstone September 2019


tions everyone connectedwith the club is going through, but it is im- portant that everyone sticks to- gether and supports this club now. “I amcertain the clubwill enjoy


success again in the next couple of years. It is built on solid and sus- tainable foundations, so therewill be no return to the uncertain days.” Club chief executive Bill


Williams said: “The Gallagher Group believes in and support our aimto get this club back to where it belongs and to do so in a way that allows us to push on and achieve the longer-termtargets.” The clubwas relegated fromthe


highest tier of English non-league football after a string of disastrous results after the sacking of man- ager Jay Saunders early in the 2018/19 season. The Stones started the season with a 2-1 defeat toWeymouth.


The Stones celebrate wining promotion to the National League in 2016


Fans’ look at newshirt


MAIDSTONE United players have given their new home shirt its first airing. Inspired by the kits worn


during the 1980s, the shirt, created byMacron, sees a re- turn to the club’s traditional amber base, with the 1980s- erawhite and black panels on the shoulders. The design was one of over


100 entries submitted in a competitionrunby the Stones earlier this year, which was won by supporter Lee Elliott. The shirtmade its debut at


a pre-season friendly against Bromley on July 13. The 0-2 defeat for Maidstone was watched by a crowd of just over 700.


Praise for transport service


ANindependent transport serv- ice responsible for more than 16,000 NHS patient transfers in Maidstone has been found to provide a good service, although its leadership requires improve- ment. The Kent Central Ambulance


Service in Bircholt Road came into operation with 70 crew members in February last year, providing back-up for larger op- erators in theMaidstone area. The service offers adults, chil-


dren and babies unable to use public or other transport a means of getting to and from outpatient appointments and


hospital – 1,307 involving high dependency patient transfers. It was the fleet’s first inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The team visited the service’s


base; accompanied a crew on a vehicle; spoke with 12 members of staff and a patient and fol- lowed up five compliments sent to the service by patients. An- other 14 patient records – 10 re- lating to patient transport and four to high dependency trans- fers,were also read. These demonstrated that


while its leadership required im- provement, the patient transport


service was good in terms of its safety, effectiveness, caring and responsiveness, with praise for its trained staff, high standards of cleanliness and record keep- ing. Registered manager Nigel Pattonwas advised the service’s five office staff and two senior managers should record investi- gation outcomes for all inci- dents; report abuse concerns direct to the local authority; offer further support to patients who had communications issues; cre- ate better awareness of the ser- vice’s vision among crew members and have amore struc- tured approach to governance.


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