County League vow to crackdown on discipline
Kent County League
The Kent County League are vowing to improve discipline on and off the field.
Winners of an FA Gold Award in recognition of being one of the best Respect Leagues in the country, they were granted full Step 7 status as a reward but secretary and former Kent referee Gavin Hoare says attitudes dipped alarmingly last season.
Speaking at the annual meeting at the UK Paper Club in Sittingbourne last week, he said: “Having achieved lofty status as Gold Award winners, it would seem attitudes to respect and all we stand for, took a nosedive. On-field discipline in some areas was way below what we have come to expect and behaviour of bench personnel also needs looking at.”
Mr Hoare also revealed the problem wasn’t just confined to managers, coaches and players.
He added: “A small minority of referees caused problems with three being removed from the panel and several others being suspended for offences in and outside the league.”
Clubs playing matches “where and when they want” and the number of games left unfulfilled by teams failing to raise sides, despite some having 40 registered players, are two other areas set to be looked at.
Mr Hoare went on: “The league remains one of the best established and well-run in the country, bucking many trends.
“If we allow these issues to continue to slide the wrong way, then this lowering of standards will have a serious knock-on effect for everyone.
“Maybe the time has come for us to look at the quality of what we have and not the quantity.
“The men’s 11-a-side game is falling into serious decline, so the choices are simple.
“Do we make the game better for the majority, leaving the minority to fall by the wayside, or do we continue to bury our heads in the sand and pretend all will be alright if we wait?”
KENT COUNTY LEAGUE 2015/2016 CONSTITUTION Premier Division (15): Metrogas, Stansfeld (Oxford & Bermondsey), Borden Village, Guru Nanak, Hildenborough Athletic, Greenways, Staplehurst Monarchs United, Snodland, Fleetdown Utd, Holland Sports, Erith 147 Sports, Halstead, Bexley, Faversham Strike Force, Kennington. Division 1 West (12): Tudor Sports, Chipstead, Peckham Town, Bexlians, Long Lane, Farnborough Old Boys Guild, Belvedere, Halls AFC, Blackheath United,AFC Mottingham, Otford United, Stansfeld (Oxford & Bermondsey) Reserves. Division 1 East (12): Bredhurst Juniors, East Kent College, New Romney, Hollands & Blair Reserves, Ide Hill, Deal Community Sports, Park Regis, Lydd Town Reserves, APM. Contrast Reserves, Sutton Athletic Reserves, Hawkinge Town, Bearsted Reserves. Division 2 West (13): Long Lane Reserves, Oaks & Junior Red Seniors, Old Bromleians, Fleetdown Utd Reserves, Dulwich Village, New Park, FC Elmstead Reserves, Lewisham Athletic, Johnson & Phillips, Old Roan, Metrogas Reserves, Club Langley, Crayford Arrows. Division 2 East (11): Sittingbourne Community, Deal Town Reserves, South Darenth, Tenterden Town, Larkfield & New Hythe Wanderers, Kings Hill, East Kent College Reserves, Rolvenden, Sheppey Utd Reserves, New Romney Reserves, Ashford Utd Reserves. Division 3 West (13): Orpington Reserves, Tudor Sports Reserves, Halls AFC Reserves, Hildenborough Athletic Reserves, Bexley Reserves, Cray Wanderers Community, Farnborough Old Boys Guild Reserves, Meridian VP Reserves, Old Roan Reserves, Parkwood Rangers, Nomads, South East Athletic, Welling Park. Division 3 East (11): Little Sharsted, Kennington Reserves, Borden Village Reserves, Guru Nanak Reserves, Yalding & Laddingford, Snodland Town Reserves, Staplehurst Monarch United Reserves, Aylesford, Cuxton 91, West Farleigh, Willesborough Athletic.