Kentish Express Ashford & District
Clemence does the honours at league dinner
TeaM’s eFFoRTs ReWaRded WiTH TRoPHy
Former England goalkeeper Ray Clemence proved a popular guest at the NRG Gym Kent County League annual dinner at Maidstone. The former Liverpool and Tottenham star was the latest big name to grace the occasion following international team-mates Ray Wilkins and Peter Shilton. The rivalry between Shilton and Clemence, his days at first club Scunthorpe for a young lad from Skegness and the way the game has changed occupied an hour-long question-and-answer session. Clemence – capped 61 times by England between 1972-84 – spent time signing autographs as well as presenting trophies and awards at the dinner. Willie Miller, of Greenways, was a popular winner of the personality-of -the-year award. Keith Wenham was named referee of the year, Peter Wilson (most improved referee) and Darren Kavanagh (assistant referee of the year). As the curtain falls on one season, preparations are already under way for another. Clubs gather at UK Paper Leisure Club in Sittingbourne tonight (Thursday) for the annual meeting with 10 new clubs, including Willesborough Athletic, set to be voted into the new 2015/16 constitution. Division 1 East runners-up Kennington will be promoted to the league’s Premier Division. Kennington Junior FC’s Colts under11s were named team-of-the-year at the club’s annual presentation day at Ashford Hockey Club on Sunday.
The award capped a successful season for the boys and coaches Scott Beaumont and Stuart Threadingham, who only started working with the team a year ago.
Other Kennington under-11s awards: Manager and players’ player: Tom Linford; clubman: Ben Kirton, most improved player: Ben Codd.