Quickfire Q&A with Oliver Ash
We are on a poor run in the National League South right now. What is your take on this?
Yes it’s true and it hurts. As a fan I want to win every game. As an owner I know that is not possible. Maidstone United are subject to the ups and downs of football like every other club. We started the season with the play-offs in mind and have gone over budget to bring in quality players like Mo Faal and sign up players like Taylor Foran to help George make a real push.
It is an increasingly competitive league and signing players always has an element of risk with no guarantee of success. In fact the challenge has got harder because the squad is relatively small and is suffering a spate of injuries and niggles, which affect performances when matches come thick and fast. The lack of competition for places right now in the men’s first team does not help. The good news is that despite the blip in form we are still in with a chance to achieve our aims with a strong finish to the season.
What do you say to the fans?
What I always say. Thank you for supporting the club through thick and thin. When times are tough please cut the club and the team some slack and stick behind them. We know things are hard out there financially for everybody. Meanwhile the club needs you to help us get back on track. Nobody wants to lose football matches. We all want the team to be playing well and winning. Football means taking the downs with the ups.
This club has had far more ups than downs over the past few years since George took over. I know from lengthy conversations that Bill, George and the team are working hard to put things right and trying to adapt our tactics to the situations we face. We ask for patience and understanding from supporters and to keep getting behind the team.
Where are you and Terry with the plan to bring new investment into the club?
We are going through a marketing process with our advisors and are being very realistic regarding the financial conditions in order to give the club the best chance to move on quickly. There are several investment groups from UK and abroad showing serious interest.
Our advisors have set a date of early March for best offers to be made. This process is taking longer than expected for a number of reasons but we are hopeful the club will soon find a suitable investor with the desire and resources needed to take over the responsibility of running the football club for the fans.
Does that mean planning for the 2026/27 season is on hold?
No, quite the opposite. Terry and I, along with Bill and Bob, are already busy working on key actions on and off the pitch for next season, such as first team player contracts, management team contracts, ticketing, women’s football, match day arrangements, sponsorship renewals, etc.
What else is happening at the club?
Lots! The women’s team is having arguably its best ever season and targeting promotion. This may well depend on winning matches with Tonbridge in March and April. Once again your support helps our women enormously.
The U23s are also on an admirable success streak and should win their league title. The academy and youth section are doing well too and our charity work through ‘Stones in the Community’ extends ever further into the local area. There is lots for supporters to feel proud about.