News


Football league ‘in dire straits’, claims secretary


THE oldest local football league in the country faces a bleak future – despite an attempt to encourage more teams by removing its fees. TheMaidstone & District League


should be planning to celebrate its 125th anniversary this year, but in- stead it is struggling to get enough teams to keep going for next year. Despite having six leagues as re-


cently as 10 years ago, the 2017-18 season has beenplayedoutwith just one division of eight teams. The league committee decided to


ditch joining fees to the league, whichwould save clubs about £300 next season, but although there has been some interest, organisers have been dealt a further blow. “We’ve had a couple of clubs say


they might be interested in putting in a team,” saidreferees andfixtures secretary Mick Brooks, right. “But then two of the current sides have said they intend leaving the league. “We are still trying to get new


clubs to come in and we will help whereverwe can.” The league was founded in 1893,


but the eight-team league this year has struggled to be competitive. Sport participation in general is a


big issue, but Mr Brooks believes more has to be done. “The FAshouldbe looking to help


solve issues like this,” he said. “I don’t think there is enough focus on men’s 11-a-side footbal. “The Kent FA has helped us out


and put some suggestions forward, and there is a £1,000 grant for any newclubswho start up. “Money is always an issue – our


clubs tellus that collecting subs from players can be like getting bloodout of a stone.We are in dire straits.”


FA ‘committed to


growth of game’ THE Kent FA’s Senior Football De- velopmentOfficer Lee Suter is hop- ing the league can survive. “The Kent FAis committed to the


growth and retention of all aspects of the game,” he said. “The adult 11v11gamehasbeenexperiencing a number of challenges andwe are committed to those affected “With the support of The FA and


Football Foundation, we have in- vested over £10,000 in creating newadult 11v11 teams this season while supporting existing teams. “In April, we launched the FA’s


Retain the Game fund which male teams of Under-17s-and-upwards will be able to apply for financial support.Wehope the investment in newand existing teamswill provide the numbers needed to keep leagues such as the Maidstone & District Football Leagues competi- tive and offering 11v11 football.”


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downsmail.co.uk Cartoons and


art is on show THE Inking Woman opens at Maidstone Museum on May 5, bringing some colour and defini- tion to the world of cartoon and comic artistry. The exhibition of more than 100


comic strips and sketches by British women focuses on feminine hu- mour and political observations from the last 250 years. An illus- trated talk on the subject will be given from 6-7pm on Thursday, May 17, by author Cath Tate, with cartoonists Wallis Eates and Rachael House. The exhibition runs until June 24. Ticket details at www.maidstonemuseum.org.


Way is to shut


DRIVERS are advised of disruption and road closures in Thurnhamfor up to six days while a new gas main is connected outside the Black Horse Inn. The PilgrimsWay will be closed


outside of the pub for up to three days from Monday, May 21 and ThurnhamLane for potentially the same amount of time from Tues- day, May 29 of the Spring Bank Holidayweekend.


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