by Alex Hoad

The protracted takeover of Maidstone United has finally been agreed after months of top-level talks between the Stones directors and investors.

Shareholder Oliver Ash (pictured) - who pumped £100,000 into the club just over two years ago - will take over control of the club from Paul Bowden-Brown who has been in charge for 19 years after the demise of the original county town club.

Mr Bowden-Brown is set to walk away from the club - writing off around £400,000 of personal investment - subject to the completion of financial and legal documents and the signing of a contract.

Mr Bowden-Brown said: "It has taken hours of work to get us to this point. Heads of Terms, subject to contract, were signed on Wednesday.

"Oliver and I are very close to a conclusion and we will inform everyone once we have finalised everything and agreed a takeover date."