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JOIN LUKE’S FUNDRAISING

Joint manager of treble winning East Kent College Luke Williams was diagnosed with cancer of the mouth on his 28th Birthday, June 2013 – he underwent major surgery which saw half his tongue removed and replaced with skin grafted from his wrist. After a 6 week chemotherapy and radio therapy treatment programme, it was hoped the worst was behind him.

Unfortunately after months of pain, the doctor/specialist finally allowed him to have a CT scan and secondary cancer was identified in the lungs. Luke was immediately put onto a very intense chemotherapy treatment which made him extremely ill. After further consultation with his specialist it was agreed that Luke should be able to enjoy a certain quality of life rather than endure the pain and grief the treatment would inevitably cause all for what could be just a few extra months.

Luke is not one to take this unbelievably sad news to heart and is now determined to live out his life in the best possible fashion. His friends and loved ones have shared the thought of hosting a benefit weekend which would raise money that could financially contribute to Luke completing his ‘Bucket List’.

Luke would not agree for this to happen unless he was able to contribute some of the proceedings to charity and he has aptly chosen Cancer Research UK and The Pilgrims Hospices. Luke’s condition is rarely seen in a person of his age, gender and overall level of fitness so he is determined to assist the charities research in any way possible in the hope that one day this illness can be beaten for good.

Many of Luke’s friends and family have also experienced cancer in one form or another, either through being diagnosed themselves or knowing someone who has suffered with it and therefore Cancer Research UK is a charity close to many of our hearts.

There will be a series of fundraising events in order to raise monies for Luke and his chosen Charities, to find out more and join in visit:

Twitter: @fundluke

Facebook: facebook.com/WilliamsWeekender

Donate: gofundme.com/LukeyWilliams

EDDIE BURVILL 1924-2014

Eddie Burvill

It is with great sadness that the League advises the death of Life Vice President Eddie Burvill.

Eddie first joined the Kent Amateur League (Eastern Section) as a Club delegate in 1954 and remained part of the League ever since. He first held an Officers position in 1974 as Assistant Secretary, a position he held until 1979. He then took over as Secretary for one season to then, in the next season, become Registration Secretary. He continued as Eastern Section Registration Secretary when the League combined in 1995, a position he relinquished in 2012. Eddie was awarded the League Personality of the Year in 2004.

He, along with Ted Maycock, formed the Hythe Sunday Morning League (now the Hythe Folkestone & District Sunday League) in 1966 and he remained involved with that League throughout, latterly being their President.

Eddie’s services to football were rightly recognised by The Football Association in 2006 when he received their 50 Year Long Service Award from Leader of FA Council Barry Bright at the League’s Annual Dinner.

Eddie will be missed by many in football, he was both a gentle man and a gentleman!

Eddie’s funeral will be held on Wednesday 30th July at 11.00 am at: St Mary & St Eanswythe Church, The Bayle, Folkestone CT20 1SW. His family have requested no flowers, but donations can be made via the funeral Directors:

Hambrook & Johns, 16 Cheriton High Street, Cheriton, Folkestone CT19 4ER

which will be split between: the Rotary Ward, William Harvey Hospital, Ashford and the Pilgrims Hospice, Ashford.

PRE-SEASON MATCHES

The 2014-15 season is getting closer, many clubs have started their pre-season training and now looking to arrange friendly matches. Bexley Borough have four home dates available in July and August. If you want to arrange a match click here to see who else is looking for matches and the dates available.

Staplehurst Monarchs United and Bexlians have advised us of their pre-season games and details can be found here. If you have matches arranged please email details and we will add to the list.

Club Langley got their pre-season underway at Eltham Palace. Alan Coomes who covers many Kent football matches at all levels has supplied the photographs which can be seen in the gallery below.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2014

The League held their Annual General Meeting on 11th June and it was announced that NRG GYM, who successfully sponsored the Under 21 division last season, will become the League’s headline sponsor for 2014-15. The League now enter their 26th season with just six headline sponsors in that time and we look forward to working with NRG GYM this coming season. The League’s Teamwear Partner, Andreas-Carter Sports were in attendance. Managing Director Jerry Carter advised the meeting that his company would soon be opening premises at Welling and he was looking forward to working with existing and new clubs in the future.

The League’s Fair Play awards were presented and seven clubs received cheques, the overall Fair Play winner was Faversham Strike Force FC who received a trophy and prize money totaling £700.

The AFORD AWARDS Manager of the year was announced and trophies were presented to Luke Williams and Liam Morris of East Kent College. Their club played a total of 28 League and Cup qualifying matches during the season losing just one. The won a League title, League cup and added a County FA cup as well!

The Secretary of the Year awards were presented and the overall winner was Richard Chesson of Little Sharsted who was presented with the Doreen Johnson Memorial Shield.

Ten new teams were welcomed to the League. These are new clubs Crayford Arrows, Johnson & Phillips, Kingfisher Glory, Kings Hill, Lewisham Athletic, Rolvenden and Yalding & Laddingford together with new teams East Kent College Reserves, Halls AFC Reserves and Snodland Town Reserves. The constitution for for 2014/15 can be found by clicking here.

ANNUAL PRESENTATION DINNER 2014

Nearly 300 hundred Players, Club and League Officials, Sponsors together with the Guest of Honour, Peter Shilton OBE, were at the Mercure Maidstone Hotel, for the Kent County League Annual Presentation Dinner and Cabaret.

Peter Shilton entertained the guests by telling them of his early days in football, his experiences with Nottingham Forest and with manager Brian Clough when winning two European Cup Finals, his England career which included three World Cups and he spoke of the infamous “Hand of God” goal from Maradonna.

The League were delighted to welcome a number of sponsors, Lee Crowhurst from title sponsor haart, Peter Symons, Nick Brook and Dane Edwards from NRG Gym sponsors of the U21 League, plus Jerry Carter and Bob Jobes from our Teamwear Partner Andreas-Carter Sports.

The League’s Personality of the Year, Adam Luscombe, of Platt United received his trophy from Peter Shilton. Adam also received a League Long Service Award which was presented by League Chairman Cyril Windiate. Referee awards were presented. Derek Peck received a Referee’s Long Service Award, Harry Phillips was named as the Most Promising Referee of the season and the League’s Referee of the Year is Martyn Staveley who collected the award for the fifth time! For the first time our Goal Scorer awards were presented, each divisional highest scorer received an award and the overall sharpshooter of the year, Daniel Bradshaw of Sheppey & Sheerness United received his trophy. All League and Cup winners and runners-up received their trophies and medals. League Photographer, Julie Hoare, was on hand to record the event and her photographs are shown in the gallery below.

SITUATIONS VACANT

Time to start planning for the 2014/15 season, need new players or volunteers? The latest vacancies to be listed are from:

NEW PARK FC – Are looking for a goalkeeper and striker to join the squad in time for the 2014/15 league campaign.

CHIPSTEAD FC - Is holding open trials for new players, all positions, for the First Team who play in the Kent County Premier Division. These will be held on Tuesdays 22nd & 29th July.

BORDEN VILLAGE FC RESERVES - Are looking to add to their squad, especially they are looking for a goalkeeper.

BEXLIANS FC – Are looking for new players for the coming season.

TANKERTON FC – Are holding an open session for any 18 – 21 year olds that would be interested in playing for the club.

SEVEN ACRE & SIDCUP RESERVES – Players wanted, all positions required.

FOREST HILL PARK FC - Are under new management, and seeking players, in various positions.

SITTINGBOURNE COMMUNITY FC – Formerly Woodstock Park FC are seeking players for the new season.

SOUTH ASHFORD FC – Are currently inviting players to trial for their new U21′s squad.

The Kent County League Supports SWEARING – Let’s Tackle It

The Kent County League is proud to support the Kent FA Youth Council’s ‘SWEARING – Let’s Tackle It’ campaign. Supported by members of Kent FA staff, the Youth Council collaborated with Fixers UK, a charity which supports young people across the UK to take action and change things for the better, to orchestrate a campaign tackling foul and abusive language in the game. From initial concept development to the execution of filming a promotional video, the Kent FA Youth Council has directed the campaign to help eliminate and raise awareness of the negative impact of bad language in football. The Kent County League looks forward to offering our support for this initiative to combat foul and abusive language in the game, as we believe for football in the county to continue to grow in a positive way, such behaviour needs to be tackled. The Kent County League are committed to creating safe and inclusive football environments for everyone and as a result fully support the Kent FA Youth Council for bringing this issue to the forefront of grass roots football in Kent. You can watch the Youth Council’s video below.

Find out more information by visiting kentfa.com or following @KentFA

GALLERY

All this season 2013/14 photographs can be viewed by clicking here

If you would like to submit photographs for inclusion please send to website@kentcountyfootballleague.co.uk, photographs should have a minimum width of 600px.