This will be a whole new challenge for me and the coaches, says Faversham Strike Force manager Gary Axford

THREE years ago Faversham Strike Force began a new exciting adventure as the club applied for membership of the Kent County League and since that bold decision the club has not looked back.

The Kent County League is considered by many as the most efficiently run competition in the county and in 2014 the club entered their first Saturday senior men’s team headed up by John Goodwin and assisted by Andy Payne and Kevin Doyle.

The success of this team was outstanding. The team achieved three promotions and two championship titles in four seasons.

The team was crowned champions of the Kent County League Premier Division in the 2015/16 season but promotion to the next tier was not on the cards due to facilities.

Following this disappointment last season saw the management team faced with the task for keeping players motivated. The team finished the season with a seventh-placed finish.

The season was a long and testing one for all involved and saw a number of players move on and retire and this was followed by the resignation of the management team.

Club Manager, Gary Axford said: “The club would like to pay tribute to the outstanding performance of this group of players and management team.

“Faversham Strike Force is now an established force in Kent, the profile of this team has further enhanced both the image and reputation of the club and for this this we will always be truly grateful. On behalf of the club we would all like to thank John, Andy and Kevin for all their efforts. They have driven the team and the club forward with unprecedented success. They will be remembered for the part they played in this chapter in the history of the club”.

Following the trio’s resignation the future of the team was uncertain but the club was keen to remain and build on the relationship it has established with the Kent County League.

The team will now be entering into a new dawn with a new management team of Axford, Stuart Benfield and Ian Taylor.

Axford said: “This will be a whole new challenge for me and the coaches. We will be a young, hungry team who will face a number of challenges and the season will be testing but something we are all looking forward to.

“A number of this season’s under-18 side will be making the step up and this will be complimented by experienced players”.

Axford will be offering trials to potential players when the club report back for training on 24 June.  For a trial, please email info@FavershamStrikeForce.co.uk.

Axford added: “We need to bring together a strong squad of players to be able to compete and challenge in a very competitive Kent County Premier, the hard work must start here.”

Visit Faversham Strike Force’s website: www.favershamstrikeforce.co.uk