Maidstone United chairman Paul Bowden-Brown says the deal to share Ashford’s Homelands Stadium can help both clubs move to a higher level.

The Stones chief has signed a three year agreement with the Nuts and Bolts and the Ryman League which will allow them to compete on Saturdays at the ground next season.

Mr Bowden-Brown ended the cash-strapped club’s ground share with Sittingbourne at the end of the season because he wanted to improve revenue streams - and the new deal allows him to rent corporate boxes at Homelands.

He said: “I have tried to put the best deal possible for Maidstone United that would be acceptable to Ashford at the same time.

“By a lot of hard negotiations and hard work I believe that Maidstone will benefit from the revenue that we will have for the first time in seven years, and we have the opportunity for both clubs and everybody in them to work together and stabilise both football clubs.”

Hear Maidstone chairman Paul Bowden-Brown talking about the move to the KM Group's Patrick Gearey

He said he will speak to fans about the possiblility of setting up a shuttle link to help supporters reach the new ground, and it’s hoped that improved motorway and rail links will improve attendances for the Ryman Premier side.

The higher place team, which for the forthcoming season will be Maidstone, will have priority over fixture clashes but the league intend to alternate the league programme so that both teams play home games on Saturdays.

Mr Bowden-Brown added that this will be a temporary measure and his eventual aim is to bring the Stones back to a ground in the county town.

“It takes the pressure off me worrying about what’s happening day-to-day and I can really spend the time ensuring that we are going to come home to Maidstone.

“That is the main thing at the present time. Yes, we have got to have a football club but I have got to be able to bring that football club home.”