On Friday 16 July 2010 Ashford Town Football Club served notice upon Maidstone United Football Club that the licence to ground-share the Homelands Stadium had been terminated with immediate effect.

The background to this matter is subject to legal proceedings and therefore Ashford Town Football Club cannot comment in detail at this stage save as to say that due to infringements regarding the illegal showing of the commercial satellite television without the necessary licences for the past year at the Homelands Stadium.

Maidstone United Football Club had entered into an agreement for the installation and broadcasting of commercial satellite television which appears to have happened illegally as no satellite viewing licence has been obtained by MUFC from Sky. The commercial satellite television company concerned contacted Don Crosbie, Ashford Towns Chairman and steps have been taken to prevent further infringements of the same kind from occurring to safeguard the club and its supporters position. We understand that the penalty for infringement is a fine of up to £5,000 per occurrence

Don Crosbie today commented that he as “personally disappointed by the situation which has left him and the club with no option” he added that “I am saddened that we have been forced to take such a stance.”