The News Vault 2009/10
Premier Division down to 16 teams following the promotion of VCD Athletic to the Ryman Isthmian League Division 1 North and the sideways move of Croydon into the Combined Counties League Premier Division. Fisher F.C. were elected unanimously to the Premier Division after an eloquent appeal by Chairman/Secretary Martin Eede. For the time being Fisher FC will be groundsharing with Dulwich Hamlet.
Kent League chairman Denise Richmond has welcomed Fisher's election to the Premier Division after the annual meeting at Lordswood FC. Fisher were elected unanimously and Richmond felt that they were a worthy addition to the league.
"It's great news, especially as all the clubs voted to bring them in" she said."I believe they will try their hardest to be a credit to the league and I'm sure they will be."
"Roy Vinter [league secretary] and myself met with Fisher 24 hours before the meeting and we were impressed with their dedication and enthusiasm. They've got a strong and youthful committee."
On the movement of Croydon to the Combined Counties League, Richmond added: "I'm disappointed but I can understand their reasons for wanting to move.
Citing their Surrey roots behind the decision to move, Croydon chairman Dickson Gill added: "We'd like to place on record our thanks to the League and the clubs, the only reason why we are leaving is because of the travelling."
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Both reserves Divisions will consist of 11 teams. Dover Athletic, Greenwich Borough and Tunbridge Wells all withdrew their reserves sides. It looked as though there would be just one division for reserves until Erith Town and Beckenham Town applied to enter reserves for the coming season.
League Cup draws were made for both the Premier Division Cup (first round) and the Divisions 1&2 Cup (first and second rounds). See the 'League Cup' page for full details. League Fixtures Sevretary Matt Panting (pictured left) presided over the draw. Clubs are reminded that all rounds up to and including the semi-finals are to be played over two legs.
League Management Committee members John Bathurst (Herne Bay FC) and Kelly Discipline (Thamesmead Town FC) were both re-elected. There were no other nominations. Mark Hayes (Holmesdale) retains the place he was co-opted to fill during the season. There remains one vacancy.
The Chairman of the Kent League, Denise Richmond, was elected to the Kent County FA Council on Saturday (20th June).
Denise was previously a KCFA Council member but had to give up because of pressure of work. Her return is very good news so far as the Kent step 6 is concerned as Denise is enthusiasticly involved in this project.
Kent League referees signed up to the Football Association's Respect programme this week.
At a meeting held in Snodland on Thursday night, the league's officials reacted positively to an excellent presentation by Phil Knight.
Clubs have already signed up to the Respect programme having attended their presentation earlier in the year.
Among the changes for the new season will be the Respect programme's fair play handshake, which will take place before every league game. Clubs are already familiar with the handshake as it is already used in the FA Cup and FA Vase.
It was also employed before each of this season's cup finals (such as the Divisions 1&2 final right).
The officials also got the chance to quiz league chairman Denise Richmond while, at the end of the meeting, the referees were also armed with new whistles by one of our sponsors, Molten, so they will again be heard loud and clear across the county this season!