THE WEST KENT SUNDAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

COLIN BOSWELL

All involved with the WKSFL offer their condolences to the family of Colin Boswell, who recently passed away. Colin was involved in Kent's grass roots football for around 60 years, including 40 years as secretary of the Medway Messenger Sunday Football League. He founded the Kent Youth League in 1981, as well holding a number of other positions in local and County football across the years.  A great servant to local football who will be missed. You can read more here.

NEW CLUBS WISHING TO JOIN THE LEAGUE PLEASE READ

We have had three new clubs wishing to join us for next season. If there are any others, please contact either Stuart Turner (Chairman) or Angela Barham (Secretary) whose contact details are here. Also please read the information for potential new clubs here.

WKSFL CUP COMPETITIONS UPDATE, APPLICATION FORMS FOR NEXT SEASON AND COUNTY AFFILIATIONS.

Message from the Chairman to all clubs. We hope you and your families are keeping well as we continue in 'Lockdown'. The Management Committee are already looking to next season and have made important decisions.

Annual subscription - application for next season

You will recall that at the EGM on the 22nd August it was agreed that the Annual Subscription should be increased by £30 up to £100. As we have saved money on Trophies we will not implement this for any of our existing teams that re-join for the new season. You will pay the £70. However any new Club or team will pay the £100. Application forms have been sent to member clubs and are also available here.

Conclusion of 2019 - 2020 WKSFL Cup Competitions

With the approval of the FA if we can get back to normal by the beginning of August we will continue with our three Cup Competitions. The Senior and Intermediate Cups are straightforward, but in fairness to those in the Junior Cup there are changes. The Junior Cup will now be a straight knockout with an open draw. One preliminary match then the four quarter finals.

In all three Competitions the semi-finals will be one match only. In all matches you may only use players who were registered for your club for the season just ended. If this goes ahead it would be hoped that we can play the finals at Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall early in September.

County Affiliations
 
All clubs are reminded that for season 2020 - 2021 you must be affiliated to your County FA not later than July 15th.

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

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.

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.