Kent League begin search for a new sponsor

Thursday 23rd June 2011

THE KENT League will be without a sponsor for the coming season after Safety Net Associates decided not to renew their sponsorship deal, writes Mike Green.

League chairman Denise Richmond told member clubs at tonight’s Annual General Meeting that the League received notification that Safety Net would not be renewing their sponsorship of the League as “they did not feel as though they had received the support of member clubs.”

Ms Richmond revealed that talks were ongoing with potential new sponsors but these talks are only at a very early stage.

It was confirmed that Sporting Bengal United had withdrawn from the league to play in the Essex Senior League this coming season and with Hythe Town’s promotion to the Ryman League the two vacancies were filled, as expected, by Canterbury City and Cray Valley (PM).

Canterbury chairman Tim Clark addressed the meeting and confirmed that since the club’s proposed election to the League had been announced interest in the City and the club’s profile in general had been raised.

Mr Clark also confirmed that “a Ryman Premier League standard ground” was being proposed by the City council, which Mr Clark told the meeting he hoped to be ready in time for season 2014-15.

Cray Valley chairman Doug Francis, who is also the Kent League’s registration secretary, confirmed to the member clubs that despite the club not currently having a stand or floodlights the necessary funding and planning permission were in place for this to be completed by the end of March 2012.

Member clubs also voted to keep two reserve divisions of nine clubs each rather than amalgamate the two as proposed.
With Cray Wanderers and Thamesmead Town resigning from Division One, Margate and Erith & Belvedere were saved from relegation.

In Division Two, Hythe Town and Sevenoaks Town’s resignations were accepted, whilst Woodstock Sports (formerly known as Norton Sports), Phoenix Sports and Welling United were all welcomed into the division.

After the formal business of the meeting was completed, the draw for the first round of the Premier Division Cup was made and is as follows:

Herne Bay v Deal Town
Tunbridge Wells v VCD Athletic
Woodstock Sports v Greenwich Borough
Corinthian v Holmesdale
Fisher v Canterbury City
Sevenoaks Town v Erith & Belvedere
Cray Valley (PM) v Beckenham Town
Lordswood v Erith Town

Visit the Kent League's website: www.kentleague.com