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.”


downsmail.co.uk Duoarrestedin


acocaine‘sting’ TWO people – including a man from Yalding – were arrested in connectionwith the supply of class A drugs in aMaidstone park. The two were approached by


plain clothes officers after being seen acting suspiciously in Collis Park, off Basing Close, at 3.40pm on Thursday,April 5. When one of them, an 18-year-


old from London, was reportedly seentoplace anumberof smallpack- ages in his mouth, he and the 38- year-oldfromYaldingwere arrested. Aquantityofdrugsbelievedtobe co- cainewas later seizedbyofficers.The investigation continues.


Tovil suspects


TWO men were arrested after stoneswere fired at cars and sheep froma car. Police stopped the VW Polo in


Courtenay Road, Tovil, on March 28, where a search led to the dis- covery of catapults and stones. Two Coxheath men were ar-


rested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and for possess- ing offensive weapons in a public place. Bothwere released, pending further investigation.


Business Focus A personal service at a time of loss


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