We are looking to progress up the divisions, says Faversham Strike Force boss John Goodwin

Goodwin, 37, spent most of his playing career at home-town club Faversham Town where he represented the club at every level, before leaving to have spells with Deal Town, Norton and Pfizer.

The artist formerly known as the Kent League have ditched their reserve division for the first time after only four clubs wanted to field sides in the competition this season.

Clubs have opted to join the Ryman Under 21 League, or in Deal Town’s case have made a late bid to join the Kent County League, but Goodwin is concerned about what happens to players who don’t make the grade at first team level.

The Ryman League have said that three overaged players can play in their new league when it kicks off this season.

“I wasn’t surprised to read that the Kent League is no longer running a reserve league next season,” admitted Goodwin.

“Most teams are now opting for an under 21 side.  I can understand clubs reasons for this, but where do players go once they are over 21?

“The step up from a Ryman under 21 side to a first team will still be huge!

“Anyone now over 21 will not get the chance to represent their town if not deemed good enough for the first team.

“I think this is a shame and clubs run the risk of losing support in my opinion as locals do like to see young local lads playing for their club even if it is only at reserve level.

“I do feel that the standard of the Kent and County Leagues and even local leagues will improve though, as players over a certain age, but with good ability, will have nowhere else to go.

“Don’t get me wrong because I can see why clubs are going down this route, but they will lose their local identity for me in the long run which is a shame.”

Goodwin, meanwhile, is looking forward to Faversham Strike Force’s inaugural Haart of Kent County League Division Two East campaign this season.

This will be the club’s first season in senior football on a Saturday. They ran a senior Sunday side for the first time last season and had great success.

Goodwin explained why Faversham Harlequin were formed and decided to join forces with Strike Force, a club formed in 1999 by Gary Axford who is now the club manager, in the summer going into their new adventure.

“I stopped playing on a Saturday in 2006 due to injuries but took over as reserve manager for Faversham Town for three seasons,” reflected Goodwin.

“I then took over at Milton & Fulston United for a season.  We did okay but I felt after one season myself and Toby Andrews decided to start our own side called Faversham Harlequin.

“I actually did approach Strike Force at this stage, but I wasn’t sure how much player interest we would get so we decided to go it alone.
  
“We got Mark Robinson to sponsor us from the Swan & Harelquin pub, who generously paid for everything we needed.  We got Ray Mills involved, sent some texts out and before you know it we had nearly 30 players turn up for pre-season.

“We entered the Canterbury & District League going straight into the Premier Division winning this at the first attempt.  We won the Challenge Trophy and also the Canterbury Charity and Faversham Charity Cups both in the Senior Section.  The only disappointment was narrowly losing in the Kent Cup which became our main target the following season.

“Last season we regained the Premier Division and also won our main target, the Kent Cup.  We won it in style, beating higher opposition en route to the final and in it we beat AFC Mottingham 4-1.

“We were not only the first Faversham side to reach the final the year before, but we because the first Faversham side to win the competition which dates back to 1889.

“We didn’t retain any of the other cups. We also ran a reserve side last year which will continue the Faversham Harlequin name next season.”

Goodwin added: “Toby and I felt we needed to be tested at a higher level along with the players.  We were going to apply to the County League as we were, but we felt we would need some help and that’s when we started speaking with Strike Force again.

“It’s safe to say I am glad we did!  Strike Force has been fantastic in our application for the County League and I would like to thank Gary Axford and Terry Scott for helping to make it possible.