Maidstone United boss Jim Ward and his double-winning squad have pledged their future to the club despite missing out on promotion to the Dr Martens League. Just 48 hours after Stones added the Kent League Cup to the Bass Brewers Kent League championship the management team and the players met chairman Paul Bowden-Brown, who reassured them that everything was in place for promotion next season.

During a two hour meeting with Mr Bowden-Brown, director of football Steve Butler and commercial director Ben McGannan, the players agreed to a freezing of the wages budget as the club looks to divert as much money as possible to fund a new ground in the town.

Mr Bowden-Brown said: "Without promotion what we have achieved this season is slightly hollow but I cannot take anything away from Jim and the players. But we must work within a budget because I will not let this club go the same way as the former Maidstone United. This was a positive meeting and I have given Jim and the players the financial opportunity to win the league and promotion but they had to understand I am not the Bank of England."

Ward said not gaining promotion was a major blow but the players did not want to leave because of the club's ambition and support. He said: "This was an informal chat to get the contracts sorted out and we have dealt with a number of issues. Everyone is happy at Maidstone United but it will be hard to win the league again because every other team will be out to beat us."

Maidstone return to training on July 6 and begin their pre-season games a week later at home to Ashford. They entertain Gillingham on July 20, travel to Folkestone on July 23 and play VCD Athletic in the Kent League Charity Shield at Central Park on August 3. Stones travel to Gravesend on August 6 and the new league season kicks off on August 10.