Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
League announces record
Kent County League
Andreas Carter Sports were confirmed as the new sponsors in a new three-year record deal, worth a total of £42,000.
It includes incentives for clubs and fair play awards totalling £2,500 a season.
There is also an option for a further three-years.
They replace NRG GYM – who have been headline sponsors for two years, and who will continue to support the league’s three cup competitions.
Secretary Gavin Hoare admitted in his annual report that it had been a “difficult and challenging season”.
He highlighted the loss of several clubs across the divisions, the increase in late postponements due to teams being unable to raise teams, and poor discipline.
He said: “It’s sad again to lose so many clubs, a trend that is repeated in many leagues across the country, but we remain fortunate that we have (new) applications to maintain our numbers.
“This cannot be sustained for many more seasons as, we can’t keep taking from below without at some point it being us that will be the bottom of the pile.
“Many leagues below are suffering and getting small which is worrying, and in some cases disappearing probably Premier Division: Faversham Strike Force, Kennington, Stansfeld (O&B), Bexley, Erith 147 Sports, Staplehurst & Monarchs, Greenways, Fleetdown Utd, Metrogas, Borden Village, Guru Nanak, Hildenborough Athletic, Punjab Utd, Lydd T Res, Farnborough OBG, Peckham Town. Division 1 East and Central (11 clubs): New Romney, E Kent College, Hawkinge T, Hollands & Blair Res, Ide Hill, Sutton Ath Res, Deal Community Sports, K Sports Res (formerly APM Contrast), Kings Hill, Rolvenden, South Darenth. Division 2 East & Central (11): Larfkield & New Hythe Wanderers, Deal Town Reserves, Sheppey United Reserves, New Romney Reserves, Ashford FC, East Kent College Reserves, Willesborough Athletic, Cuxton
forever.” He added: “Last season saw a marked rise in unplayed fixtures, matches cancelled at the last minute because teams cannot raise a side. This is something we may well need addressing sooner rather than later.
“The league’s Emergency Appeals and Disciplinary Committee reaffirm that it is not their desire to award points for games not played. I fully support that, as it remains league policy for games to be sorted on the field of play and not in the committee room.
“The league removed several referees for a multitude of reasons and whilst it remains our good fortune to have a good list that covers all our games this is another thing that cannot be sustained indefinitely.
“League discipline remains a great concern and would appear to be falling below standards set, if we are going to remove referees that do not maintain standards why should we stop there?”
Kennington and Ashford United Reserves received fair play award cheques for £150.