Kentish Football 
Kent Reliance sponsor Kent Senior Cup with prize money up for grabs for finalists
Kent Reliance, part of OneSavings Bank PLC and headquartered in Chatham, has been unveiled as the new sponsor for the Kent FA’s prestigious competition.
The Kent Reliance Senior Cup, which celebrated its 125th year as the headline Kent County Cup last season, will be contested by teams within the Vanarama sponsored Football Conference and Ryman Football League, as well as Football League sides Charlton Athletic and Gillingham.
As previous sponsors of the Kent Senior Cup in 1986, Kent FA welcomes Kent Reliance back ahead of yet another exciting season of Kent football.
Kent Reliance’s sponsorship of the Cup also leads to the exciting news that this year’s competition will include a prize fund for both the winner and runners up of the competition.
Kent FA’s work to support and develop football within the county sees the continuous growth and improvement of the association’s 20 County Cup competitions.
With the invaluable support of partners Kent Reliance, Kent FA will now be able to award £2,000 to the team that wins the competition this season whilst the runners up will enjoy a £1,000 reward to acknowledge their success in the competition.
The introduction of a prize fund is in addition to the gate money finalists of the Kent Senior Cup have historically enjoyed.
Announcing the deal alongside Steve Brown, manager of current Kent Senior Cup holders, Ebbsfleet United and Cup winner Daryl McMahon, Paul Dolan, chief executive of the Kent FA, explained the significance of the historic sponsorship announcement.
Mr Dolan told www.kentfa.com: “Our 20 County Cup competitions play an integral role in our engagement with clubs in Kent. We work with several sponsors and partners to develop methods to support the football community and ensure we lead the way in creating competitions that uphold the highest standards.
“This was demonstrated last season when we celebrated 125 years of the Kent Senior Cup at the home of Gillingham FC and welcomed one of our largest crowds to the final in recent history.
“I’m delighted Kent Reliance will continue their work with us to support grassroots football as well as become headline sponsors of the Kent Reliance Senior Cup.
“People’s perception of Kent FA often revolves around rules and regulation but our work around developing commercial opportunities that provide a return for our clubs is fundamental. Today is a historic day and we look forward to seeing the competition unfold.”
Andy Golding, chief executive at Kent Reliance, added: “The Kent Senior Cup has played a fundamental part within the landscape of Kent football for well over 100 years.
“Not too many football competitions can boast of such a prestigious past. By working with the Kent FA to support the competition, we hope to help push the Kent Reliance Senior Cup forwards as it has such a positive impact for the county.
“We very much look forward to celebrating the successes of Kent’s football teams over the coming months.”
First Round Draw
Welling United v Tonbridge Angels
Bromley v Maidstone United
Dover Athletic v Faversham town
Thamesmead Town v VCD Athletic
Chatham Town v Margate
Ties scheduled for Tuesday 14/Wednesday 15 October 2014
Second Round Draw
Dover Athletic or Faversham Town v Folkestone Invicta
Gillingham v Dartford
Sittingbourne v Welling United or Tonbridge Angels
Chatham Town or Margate v Herne Bay
Cray Wanderers v Ramsgate
Bromley or Maidstone United v Hythe Town
Ebbsfleet United v Charlton Athletic
Thamesmead Town or VCD Athletic v Whitstable Town
Ties scheduled for Tuesday 4/Wednesday 5 November 2014
Visit The Kent Football Association’s website: www.kentfa.com
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