THE WEST KENT SUNDAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

STATEMENT FROM THE LEAGUE

Following the recent AGM Chairman Stuart Turner confirmed that if required he would stay on as Chairman beyond season 20-21.  He had previously stated that this was to be his last.

In a statement he said 'having only lost two clubs from last season and gained five new clubs , despite the Covid-19 situation, I think the future of the League looks good. However with two possibly three senior members of the Management Committee standing down at the end of next season, I feel it would not be in the interest of the league for a new Chairman to inherit this position'.

General Secretary Angela Barham, and Referees Secretary Andrew Newman have both confirmed that season 20-21 will be their last and Treasurer Reg Mackekden is keeping his options open.

Stuart went on to say. ' We will of course now work towards finding replacements for these important positions and a number of options have been put forward. Rest assured all members of the current committee will be active in trying to find suitable officers. ‘We all look forward to the return of Grass Roots Football as soon as it is safe’.

UPDATED GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS CONCERNING 'GRASS ROOTS' FOOTBALL

If you haven't already done so, please read this document published by the Kent County FA. Crucially, "...therefore, playing of any games (small-sided
or full) is also not permitted at this time." Training is OK provided it is done within the rules and regulations. Showers and changing rooms must not be used.

THEY HAVE EMPHASISED THAT ACTUAL MATCHES INCLUDING SMALL SIDE MATCHES, EVEN AMONG MEMBERS OF THE SAME CLUB, MUST NOT BE PLAYED. 'Government guidance' concerning physical contact is the key here.

DUNTON GREEN FC OFFER PRE SEASON GAMES

Details here. NB these cannot be played unless and until 'government guidance' is changed.

CONSTITUTION OF THE LEAGUE SEASON 2020 - 2021 - CORRECTION

This has been confirmed and can be seen here. We welcome new and re-joining clubs AFC Borough (Crowborough), Dunton Green, Nomads (Edenbridge), Sedlescombe Rangers and Tonbridge United. Biggin Hill and Hawkhurst have left the League.

Last season's tables and grids have been archived. Table and grid 'blanks' for the new season are ready to go here. The 2019 - 2020 WKSFL cup pages are still in place. It is the League's intention to resume and complete these cups as soon as conditions permit.

PRE - SEASON PAGE NOW AVAILABLE

The regular 'pre - season´ page is now open. This has the usual sections :

Clubs offering pre-season friendlies  Clubs seeking pre-season friendlies   Confirmed friendlies plus results in due course if you send me the information

In addition the club adverts page is available for players seeking clubs, clubs seeking players and items wanted or for sale.

MAILING LIST AND PROBLEMS

For the benefit of club secretaries and others, I keep a mailing list through which all subscribers are notified of website updates.  If you wish your email address to be added, please email me. All messages from me will have WKSL WEBSITE UPDATE in the title. I recommend that you include this information in your 'whitelist' or whatever, as some spam filters have a habit of dumping my well-intentioned emails in the dustbin.

You will be notified of results and updated league tables (normally) every Monday morning, also of the availability of the monthly fixture lists plus any ad-hoc updates that may occur through the season.

COUNTY AFFILIATIONS

All clubs are reminded that for season 2020 - 2021 you must be affiliated to your County FA asap. You will have read that Kent FA is waiving affiliation and cup entry fees, also public liability insurance payments.

ADVERTISING

We like to have the small cost of running the website paid through advertising by local businesses We currently have space for small adverts on the weekly fixtures and results page, the individual League tables and Results grids pages, also on the 'print all tables' page and Top Goalscorers page. If you are interested, please contact Chairman Stuart Turner.

PLAYER REGISTRATION FORMS SEASON 2020 - 2021

The Registrations Secretary has emailed clubs about the revised procedure for registering players for the new season. If any individual or club needs a new form for a new player or for one whose address has changed, it can be downloaded here.

PLAYER DEBTS FROM LAST SEASON

If any of your players owe money from last season, now is the time to start chasing them if you fear they may walk away. It may be too late once the new season starts.  The official procedure is set out here. The WKSFL will not act as your debt recovery service!

A STATEMENT FROM STUART TURNER, CHAIRMAN, WEST KENT SUNDAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

At the Management Meeting held on Monday 20th January 2020, I confirmed that it was my intention to stand down as Chairman following the end of the 2020-21 season.

As many know I (along with Reg Mackelden) have been involved with running the West Kent Sunday Football League since its formation in 1967. In the intervening period I have made many great friends and watched a lot of local Sunday football. Some are maybe old enough to know that I even played a few games for FC Leroy in that inaugural season!

There have been some great times for this league and it is fair to say we have seen a lot of changes, particularly in the last ten years. Having thought things over very carefully, I think the time is right  to give up my role as Chairman and I sincerely hope that there is somebody out there willing and able to take up the reins.
 
Additionally I can also confirm that Reg Mackelden (Treasurer), Angela Barham (General Secretary) and Andrew Newman (Referee Secretary) will also be stepping down at the end of season 2020-21. Reg will continue as Life President.
 
During the next 18 months the Management Committee will work with all parties to ensure that the transition of my departure (alongside Reg, Angela and Andrew) is run smoothly and results in the best outcome for our  clubs, who as always are our priority.
 
More information in due course, but rest assured that for the next 18 months we are all still fully committed to the wellbeing of the WKSFL.
 
In the meantime if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me
 
Stuart Turner,  WKSFL Chairman

GIVE YOUR OLD KITS TO PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM

Support and resources for 11 v 11 adult football from the Kent County FA :

KCFA have published a dedicated page for new and existing 11v11 adult football teams full of useful resources and information. This can be accessed by clicking here. They have also updated their volunteers page which includes information, websites and contacts on recruiting, supporting and developing volunteers – you can access the page by clicking here.
 
Download and share the resources - So representatives and leagues can make the most of the resources all the documents are in a Dropbox folder where the resources can be downloaded and shared. Please feel free to share with club and team contacts. You can access the folder by clicking here. You do not have to be a registered Dropbox user.
 
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or require support.
 
Lee Suter | Football Development Officer
Kent County Football Association
Invicta House | Cobdown Park | London Road
Ditton | Near Aylesford | Kent | ME20 6DQ
T: 01622 792 140

DO YOU HAVE OLD KITS CLUTTERING UP THE PLACE?

The Lighthouse Project, based at Longmead Primary School in Tonbridge, is involved with a scheme to donate football equipment to kids in the Phillipines. Take a look at this YouTube video clip - http://youtu.be/e81AnjPWcVE

If you can offer anything or a small donation, get in touch with Simeone Honore by email.

SECOND EDITION OF THE WEST KENT SUNDAY LEAGUE HISTORY IN PLANNING.

Andrew Newman is thinking in advance of a new edition of the WKSFL history, which was a sellout when it was published in 2007. This might be a 60th Anniversary edition, in 2027!!

Andrew is wishing to get hold of copies of photos from 2007 - 2008 onwards and into future seasons, particularly of winning teams with their trophies. Any other photos of interest would be welcomed. Send them by email if you can to courierfootball@btinternet.com or contact Andrew at that address if there are pictures you can't send that way. Andrew may also be interested in videos, but please speak with him first. By the time it comes to season 2026/2027 no doubt 3D holograms will be sought after!

Dedicated to the memory of the following, whose service to the League was invaluable and greatly appreciated Dave Brennan League Council Member in various rôles 1971 - 1984 Brian Cheal League Council Member 1971 - 1973 Malcolm Foy League Council Member 1972 - 1985 Harry Friend Registration Secretary, Referees Secretary 1968-1979 & 1979-1987 Minutes Secretary, League Council Member, Vice Chairman 1984-87, Vice President 1987-2011 Cecil King League Council Member and Benevolent Fund Secretary 1969 – 1979 Tony Norman Minutes Secretary, Registrations Secretary, Referees Secretary, Benevolent Fund Secretary 1975 – 1985 Alan Rofe League Council Member and Registration Secretary 1985 – 1999 Paul Rogers League Council Member 1979 - 1984 Jim Smith League Council Member and Treasurer 1973 - 1985 & 1994 - 2001 Vice President 1985 – 2001

Members of Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASC’s) can claim tax rebates on certain types of fund raising. This could bring clubs additional income of 28p in the pound. Details can be found at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/casc/index.htm

The West Kent Sunday League cannot offer advice on this scheme. Your County Football Association may have some information.