maidstone united fc
N E W S R E L E A S E

23 June 2008

Clubbing together for Maidstone

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.

Awards

Maidstone United Reserves

Top goalscorer – Rob Lyall / Jason Batt
Most improved player – Keelan Mooney
Players’ player – Rob Lyall
Manager’s player – Anthony Bodle

Maidstone Rangers Seniors

Players’ player – Sean Elkinton
Manager’s player – David Price

Maidstone Raiders Adults (PAN disability team)

Team medal for every player

Maidstone United Ryman Under 18s

Top goalscorer – Rob Lyall
Most improved player – Rob Carter
Players’ player – Colin Richmond
Manager’s player – Ashley Ulph

Maidstone United Under 18s (South)

Top goalscorer – Carl Warburton
Most improved player – Joe Moss
Players’ player – Scott Ibbottson
Manager’s player – Tom Howell

Maidstone United Under 18s (Central)

Top goalscorer – Craig Roxburgh
Most improved player – Kurtis Buckingham
Players’ player – Rob Carter
Manager’s player – Rob Carter

Maidstone United Under 16s

Top goalscorer – Luke Colyer
Most improved player – Jon Newman
Players’ player – Ben Lawson
Manager’s player – Jordan Keates

Maidstone Raiders Under 16s (PAN disability team)

Top goalscorer – Peter Hewitt
Most improved player – Ben Revell
Players’ player – Tom Mason
Manager’s player – Chris White

Maidstone Rangers Under 15s

Top goalscorer – Michael Mannell
Most improved player – Pat Woolley
Player of the Match – Michael Mannell
Players’ player – Jack Heath
Manager’s player – Elliot Barham

Maidstone United Under 15s

Top goalscorer – Ben Smith
Most improved player – Jack Lewis
Players’ player – Billy Wyatt
Manager’s player – Stuart Ballard

Maidstone Rangers Under 14s

Top goalscorer – Aseem Rana
Most improved player – Adam Spikin
Player of the Match – George Wood
Players’ player – Jordan Lean
Manager’s player – Marcus Edwards

Maidstone United Under 14s

Top goalscorer – Mitchel Mannell
Most improved player – Zack Foster-Crouch
Players’ player – Ryan Croucher
Manager’s player – Tom Law

Maidstone Raiders Under 14s (PAN disability team)

Top goalscorer – Dougie Franks
Most improved player – Michael Jones
Players’ player – Conner Szalajko

Maidstone United Under 13s

Top goalscorer – Johann-Caney-Bryan
Most improved player – Rhys Lambert
Players’ player – Joel Attwood
Manager’s player – Alex Cox

Maidstone Rangers Under 12s

Top goalscorer – George Wellard
Most improved player – Sammy Swift
Player of the Match – Matthew Oxley
Players’ player – Samuel Richardson
Manager’s player – Nicholas Cunningham

Maidstone Rascals Under 12s

Top goalscorer – Jessica Bavin
Most improved player – Jasmine Kiwanuka
Player of the Match – Danielle Purnell
Players’ player – Emily Harper
Manager’s player Leah Oakley

Maidstone Rangers Under 11s

Top goalscorer – Jack Pearce
Most improved player – Jake Salter
Player of the Match – James Williams
Players’ player – Joe Sparks
Manager’s player – Ryan Sinden

Maidstone Raiders Under 11s (PAN disability team)

Top goalscorer – Andy Good
Most improved player – Fraser Lewis
Players’ player – Liam Blackett
Manager’s player – Connor McCormick

Maidstone Rovers Under 10s

Top goalscorer – Bradley Marsh
Most improved player – Joshua Mullins
Player of the Match – Jonathan Lee
Players’ player – Matthew Constable/Henry Tutt
Manager’s player – Patrick Lee

Maidstone Royals Under 10s

Top goalscorer – Jack Walker
Most improved player – Duncan Moon
Player of the Match – Kristian Mole
Players’ player – George Hughes
Manager’s player – Joshua Hook

Maidstone Rangers Under 10s

Top goalscorers – James Lishman/Thomas Rumble
Most improved player – Cameron Ryan
Player of the Match – Bradley Pike
Players’ player – James Lishman
Manager’s player – Aaron Lee

Maidstone Rangers Under 9s

Top goalscorer – Jake Brunton
Most improved player – Kieron Watson
Player of the Match – Scott Rowatt
Players’ player – Rio Wade
Manager’s player – Deon Oldrey

Maidstone Rangers Under 8s

Top goalscorer – Ashley Dawson
Most improved player – Kieran Page
Player of the Match – Alfie Cox
Players’ player – Mason Broom
Manager’s player – Conor Davis

Maidstone Rangers Mini Kickers (Six to seven year olds)

Team medal for every player

Special recognition award

Presented to Chris Smalling and Ashley Ulph for their England Schoolboy appearances
Clubman award (Club volunteer)

Freddie Bonett for his help with the Maidstone United Ryman Under 18 matches and accountancy for Maidstone United youth section.