Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Kent County Football Association

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Formation
  
1881

Chief Executive
  
Paul Dolan

Purpose
  
Football association

Website
  
kentfa.com

Headquarters
  
Invicta HouseCobdown ParkLondon RoadDitton

Location
  
AylesfordKent ME20 6DQ

The Kent County Football Association, also simply known as the Kent F.A., is the governing body of football in the county of Kent, England, and was formed in 1881. The Kent FA run 20 County Cups at different levels of football for affiliated teams across Kent.

Contents

History

The Kent County FA was formed in October 1881 by two friends – M.P, Betts (Secretary) and G.W. Prall (Treasurer).

Over the next few years matters became more formalised. Mr A.G.O Kennedy was appointed secretary in 1888 and he made a great difference in creating a proper structure for football. He was taken ill in 1892 and died in December of that year.

From Mr. Kennedy’s base P.J. Leckie became secretary and served until 1986 and was succeeded by J Albert who served until 1905. During that time the Association made great strides forward reaching a total of 297 clubs and 41 leagues. In 1905 the gate receipts from the Kent Senior Cup Final amounted £233.

In 1905 J. Albert relinquished his position as Secretary through pressure of outside commitments. The Council later that year resolved that position of Secretary become a full-time post at maximum salary of £80 per annum for 3 years. It was also resolved that the Secretary must reside in Chatham. Frank Lockwood was appointed as the first full-time Secretary and served until his death in 1914. By that time the number of affiliated clubs had risen to 600.

After the First World War had ended, Captain J. Rigden assumed the role of Secretary and served until 1926 when he was replaced by much revered Stanley Brown.

Stanley became the longest serving Secretary occupying the position until 1964. It was Stanley’s foresight which enabled the Association to acquire 69 Maidstone Road, Chatham which remained the headquarters for 62 years until 2009 when the Association relocated to Cobdown, Ditton.

Brown retired in 1964 and was replaced by Dick Speake. He in turn reached retirement age in 1978 when Keith Masters had the "honour and privilege" of taking over the role of Secretary which became Chief Executive on Incorporation in November 2000.

The Association has grown into a moderate business employing almost 20 members of staff providing football for leagues, clubs, players, referees and anyone that wants to be involved or just loves the game.

Organisation

The Kent County Football Association (KCFA) aims to establish safe and structured football opportunities for the benefit of all concerned irrespective of age, colour, gender and disability. The KCFA aim to provide the appropriate structures and systems to enable the association to control, manage, regulate and promote the game within the County.

The KCFA was formed in 1881 and has governed the game of football, under the aegis of The Football Association since that date. The Kent County Football Association became a Company Limited by Guarantee on November 1, 2000. Kent is the fifth largest County affiliated to The Football Association and is divided into four geographical divisions for administration purposes.

There are 66 KCFA Council Members and 48 of these are elected to serve within the area that they live.

Disbanded or Amalgamated Leagues

Leagues that were affiliated to the Kent County FA but have disbanded or amalgamated with other leagues include:

  • Beckenham League
  • Dartford and District League
  • Dover League
  • East Kent League
  • Folkestone Junior League
  • Gravesend League
  • New Brompton League
  • North East Kent League
  • Southern Suburban League
  • Thames and Medway Combination
  • Thanet Works League
  • Tunbridge Wells League
  • Weald of Kent League
  • West Kent League
  • Affiliated Member Clubs

    Among the notable clubs that are (or at one time were) affiliated to the Kent County FA are:

    In 1946 Gravesend United merged with Northfleet United to form Gravesend & Northfleet who are now known as Ebbsfleet United.

    County Cup Competitions

    The Kent County FA run 20 County Cup Competitions:

    Source

    Charity Cup Competitions

    Source

    Senior Cup

    The Kent Senior Cup is a county cup competition involving senior teams affiliated to the Kent County Football Association.

    List of recent Kent County Cup Winners

    Source

    List of recent Kent County Junior Cup Winners

    Source

    References

    Kent County Football Association Wikipedia


    Similar Topics