Elizabethans join the Force

Football

Faversham Town Elizabethans celebrated merging with Faversham Strike Force by hosting a girls’ football festival this weekend.

A on e - t e am club, Elizabethans will now play under the Strike Force banner and represent the club in the South East Counties Women’s League and Kent FA Cups.

The merger will see Strike Force’s reputation as one of Kent’s leading community football clubs continue to grow.

The club are set to have 17 teams next season – including youth teams from under-7 through to under-18, three senior men’s teams and now the ladies’ side.

Club manager Gary Axford said: “This is brilliant news and something we have been working on for a number of months now.

“Elizabethans shared the same values and beliefs that we are committed to, such as football for all regardless of gender, ability and age.”

Former Elizabethans player and coach, Natalie Curtis, was delighted with the merger.

She said: “The merger was all about securing the future of ladies’ and girls’ football in Faversham.

“Strike Force has the experience and structure to support and develop female participation in the town and we are excited to drive this forward.” The merger will see the development of the ladies’ team as well as a turn-up and play session at the club on Tuesday nights.

“Strike Force will also be represented at girls’ football festivals like the one hosted on Saturday.” The four-team festival saw a Strike Force girls’ team take on teams from Anchorians, Larkfield and Grasshoppers in a friendly round-robin.

All players picked up medals for participating and a drink courtesy of Simply Fresh Convenient Store.

Axford added: “The club are on a huge wave of success.

“2015 has seen us host our biggest tournament in June and gain promotion to Kent County League, Premier Division to name a few successes.

“We have more members than ever and next season will see us offer provision for the whole community to play football at a level and age that is accessible to everyone.”

Anyone interested in joining Strike Force should contact club manager Gary Axford on 07730 454626 or favershamstrikeforcefc@mail. com

Faversham Elizabethans will now play as Faversham Strike Force after a merger