Chatham chairman Jeff Talbot said the club would continue to entertain groundsharing proposals for Maidstone Road, despite Maidstone United opting to stay at Ashford Town.

The Chats’ ground is D-grade and after the Stones avoided relegation from the Ryman League, Premier Division they decided to remain at C-graded Homelands as league rules say Premier teams must play at a level C ground.

Mr Talbot, pictured, said: "If Maidstone had been relegated it would have been less of an issue, but it is what it is. We’d have liked to have hosted Maidstone, but we haven’t lost anything."

Mr Talbot revealed the club had already been carrying out improvements including extending the bar and boardroom area, and added: "There is quite a bit going on at the ground, but these things are not specifically aimed at obtaining a level C grading, though at some stage we would probably look to achieve it.

"Maidstone were not the first club we have spoken to about groundsharing – it is important for clubs nowadays. We’ll continue to look at any opportunities as they arise."