Kent County Football Association

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 to £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. Keith Masters retired in 2010 and was succeeded as Chief Executive Officer by Paul Dolan in January 2011.

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.[1]

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

Kent FA was formed in 1881 and has governed the game of football, under the aegis of The Football Association since that date. Kent FA 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 council members, and 48 of these are elected to serve within the area that they live.[2]

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

• Beckenham League
• Bromley and District Football League
• Dartford and District League
• Deal and District Sunday League
• Dover League
• East Kent League
• Folkestone Junior League
• Gravesend League
• Hythe,Folkestone and District Sunday League
• Maidstone and District League
• New Brompton League
• North East Kent League
• South London Football Alliance
• Southern Suburban League
• Thames and Medway Combination
• Thanet Works League
• Tonbridge and District League
• Tunbridge Wells League
• Weald of Kent League
• West Kent League

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.

The Kent County FA run 20 County Cup competitions:

Source[4]

Source[5]

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

Source[5]

Source[5]

• Official website