League reverts to two divisions

Ashford Saturday League

Eight new teams were elected into the Ashford Saturday League at last week’s annual meeting.

The competition reverts to two divisions this season with a total of 20 clubs.

Ashford Dynamo, who have switched from Sunday football, and new team Willesborough Athletic Reserves, will play in the Premier Division, while the other six will compete in Division 1.

They include Kennington Reserves, who switch from the Kent County League, Woodchurch who return after an absence of five years, Folkestone Invicta Disability, progressing to mainstream football for the first time, AFC Ashford Reserves, Tenterden Town Reserves, and two new clubs, South Willesborough Warriors and Hythe Grovellers.

Ted Revell was elected the league’s new chairman. He succeeds Barrie Jones, who stood down for personal reasons, having held the post since 2009. Mr Jones had been a member of the management committee since 1998.

Mr Revell is chairman of the Ashford Charity Trophy and also a member of the Kent FA.

A replacement is still being sought to replace fixture secretary Sandy Blackmore, with secretary Geoff Wickens taking over temporarily.

The league are also considering reviving the role of assistant secretary, to deal with the league website, and social media.

Awards were also handed out to Dave Law, of Smarden, who was Player of the Year, Andrew Worthington, named Referee of the Year, and league top scorer Harry Goddard who collected the Golden Boot.

Aldington, Ashford Dynamo, Bromley Green, Lydd Town 3rds, Park Farm, Smarden, Tenterden Town, Three Mariners, Willesborough Athletic Reserves, Wittersham.

AFC Ashford Reserves, Biddenden, Folkestone Invicta Disability, Hythe Grovellers, Kennington Reserves, Rolvenden Reserves, Smeeth & Brabourne, South Willesborough, Tenterden Town Reserves, Woodchurch.