View From The Chair

Following the Christmas break and two consecutive weeks of postponed games due to weather there has not been that much football to comment on in the past month, but what football we have had has provided it's usual ups and downs.

Immediately after the Christmas period the first team's poor run continued with defeats to Sheppey and Saga and we were getting perilously close to the relegation positions. The visit of an improving New Romney side was a real six pointer and it was a game in which Alan was going to find out whether or not the players had the character to perform under that kind of pressure. The 3-0 win and the three points that followed were vital. It also stopped the losing run and made us believe that we can win matches again, and the first ever visit of Coney Hall to Ulley Road the following week saw us register back to back wins for the first time since the first two weeks of the season. With a mini revival started we would have liked to keep the momentum going, but with winter finaly arriving our recovery has been quite literaly put on ice.

The reserves have had success in the cup competitions with quarter final wins in the Ashford Charity Trophy and the Reserves Division Cup but they have not transfered that form into the league where we sit bottom of the pile. I know that we have plenty of games in hand to climb out of that position, but unless we can get the same commitment from some players in the league games that we seem to get for the cup games I will be standing up at the leagues AGM asking to be kept in the league, and I really don't fancy that.

Our Sunday side has endured a difficult season and relegation from the premier looks a distinct possibility, but I'm pleased to say that Graham, Neil and almost all the players are still as commited to the club as ever and will continue next season whatever division they are in. Next season there will be around ten players who have come from this seasons under 18s who will be available to play on Sundays, and they possess the technical qualities that Graham likes his players to have so I know he is already relishing the challenge next season. I am also pleased to confirm that we will also be running a second Sunday side due to the ammount of our Saturday players who want to play for us on Sundays too.

The Under 18s form continues to fluctuate depending on what side takes to the field each week. With not too many games left we look like finishing around mid table and although in some ways the season has failed to live up to expectations overall Alan is pleased at the way in which the players have developed. This team was always seen as a continuation of our youth policy, and thanks to Alan it has been a great success. Next season the Under 18s will expand to two teams, one in the Valley Express County League and one in The Molten League and the club was pleased to welcome managers Neil Hammond-Jarvis and Dean Heitman to the commitee at the last meeting.

In response to all the people who have asked about the Kennington Community Recreation Trust I am pleased to say that discussions are set to resume soon, albeit with a scaled down version of the original grand scheme. I know that there has been a distinct lack of activity in the last six months and that has been frustrating, but this has been due to matters beyond our control and not through a lack of ambition on our part. Obviously you'll be informed of any developments on that front as and when they happen.

Well that's about it for now, but with no less than four cup semi-finals for our teams in the next month there is plenty to get excited about for what remains of this season. Also our trip to Sittingbourne Stadium is booked for 24th March so get in quick before all places on the coach have gone.

Graham.

The last View From The Chair for 2011 gives us an opportunity to reflect on the season so far and overall despite the usual highs and lows that come with any football club I think we have plenty to be positive about. Yes the first team results have not been good in the last month or so but this was always going to be a season of building for the future and sometimes you have to experience some bad spells in order to learn and get stronger. We are exactly half way through our league campaign and if we can have a better second half than the first then that would represent progress, and progress is the most important thing for us this season. I know that Alan has been as frustrated as anyone with recent results and he knows that he has some decisions to make when the season re-starts, but with the break giving some players the chance to rest some injuries and also with the form that some of our reserves are showing he also knows that there is enough talent in our pool of players to turn this season around. And let's not forget that we also have a Weald Of Kent Trophy sem i- final to look forward to in the new year so this could still be a memorable season.

Our Sunday boys are having another tough season in the Sunday Premier giving Graham and Neil plenty to think about for what remains of their season. The side is full of young players with real ability and I just hope that they keep the faith during what has become a relegation battle because when they get it right they are a joy to watch.
Our other Sunday boys in the Under 18s are also capable of great football and are now showing some consistency in a very tough county league. This really is where the future of the club lies and with the new signings that Alan has made recently together with the players that we already had from the juniors we have some real talent looking to play for all of our senior sides next season. I can't praise Alan enough for the work that he has done in the Under 18s. To manage the Saturday first team is a big enough job on it's own - as I well know - but to take on the Under 18s aswell is a real undertaking and is something that we should all appreciate. I know that he is looking forward to handing the Under 18s baton over to Graham Harvey next season so that he can focus on Saturdays, but the work he has done this season in establishing the missing link between juniors and seniors is of great importance to our future.

At the other end of the age range our vets have achieved a first by getting through to the next round of the Beckenham Trophy. Joe has now managed to get a decent squad of experienced older gents together and he tells me that he would like to expand the vets side of things next season, so if there are any over 35s out there interested in putting a pair of boots on again then look for Joe's number on the team managers tab.

With lots to look forward to in the club both on and off the pitch in 2012 we can be optimistic about the future, but for now there's not much more for me to add other than to wish all the players, managers and all the many people behind the scenes who put themselves out on behalf of our football club a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.

Graham.

With the season now almost a month old our results so far have been a bit up and down. The Saturday firsts got off to a flyer with two wins in their first two games against good opposition and looked like doing something that hadn't been achieved in my time at the club by winning the opening three games, but a below par performance against a determined Chipstead side saw the wheels well and truly come off. After a defeat like that you look to see how players respond and I know that Alan was pleased with a point against a physical Forest Hill Park. This season the side is on a steep learning curve with half the squad still teenagers and with an average age in the squad of just twenty two, so we can't complain about the start we've had.
The ressies had the opposite in their first two games, but Keith and Butch were not too unhappy about the performances and a good 3-1 win against last seasons champions Bromley Green in their last game has certainly put a buzz back into the camp again.


The Sunday teams have also had mixed fortunes. The Ashford Sunday League side are still looking for their first point but I saw their last game against a Market Hotel side which was packed with quality and experience and the lads probably had more of the ball than Market without making the possesion count. We also have to remember that the lads are still learning and are lacking in experience at this level and usualy it's the sides that have that blend of youth and experience that win this league.
The County League Under 18s blew away a disapointing Hythe Town 13-0 in their opener at Reachfields. The next game against Ashford United was unfortunatly abandoned in the second half due to serious injury of an Ashford player with us leading 2-1. I must say however that up until that point this was the most entertaining game I have seen this season so far. The quality of all the players on both sides was fantastic and with the added spice of a local derby and an immaculate Homelands pitch it was a privilage to be there. There was no doubt however that the decision to abandon the match was the right one and on behalf of the club we wish the lad concerned a speedy recovery.


On behalf of the club I attended the opening of the new sports and performing arts wing at the Towers School last Friday. It was a proud day for the school and I must say that the facilities in the new building are impressive. What with the work involved in the school attaining academy status as well as the building of the new wing the Kennington Community Recreation Trust business has understandably been put on the back burner, but the schools projects developments manager Yvonne Freeman told me that now the decks are clear a K C R T meeting will take place in the next few weeks to get the ball rolling again.


Training starts on the astro on Wednesday night and in keeping with our policy of bringing the next batch of youngsters through I'm pleased to say that Graham Harvey will be bringing his under 16s along in the coming weeks to start what will become the under 18s of next season. I am also pleased to say that as well as Graham the staff at the club is expanding with the arrival of coaches Sean Foord and Dave Olsen together with Ivor Groves who will bring his wealth of experience of local football to our committee. I would like to see our committee members expand further and by the next view from the chair I expect to announce more additions to the team.


The social calender is also now starting to fill up starting with a buffet at Chuengs this Saturday with a drink or two afterwards. That's followed by a race night next month and a quiz in November. I personally think that the social side of any club is an important factor in a clubs success and of course the funds raised can always be put to good use, so it's important that all members look to support any events that we put on, just look on the social tab to see what's happening.


On the subject of funds I would like to thank all our valued sponsors and to warn them that I will be back with the begging bowl in the next few weeks. I was pleased to be at a photo shoot with Alan and our first team tracksuit sponsor Mark Hodges of Balreed Digitec last week doing a piece for the local paper at long last, and hopefully we can get reserves sponsor Jamie The Plasterer to do the same thing soon. By the way if there are any would be tracksuit sponsors out there our under 18s are looking for one. While they look very smart in their club ties and shirts at the moment, they might be a bit cold come November.


Anyway that's all for now, don't forget our cup tie at Homelands on 1st October against Ashford United. I think I'm right in saying that this is the first time that the clubs have ever met in a competetive fixture so come along and give the lads your support. I've got a feeling that a bit of a cup upset is on the cards.


Graham.

Welcome to the first edition of a new feature " View From The Chai r", in which every month or so I can give a personal view on what's been going on at the club, and also give our members some insight in to what's been going on behind the scenes.


Firstly may I start by saying what an honour it is to be the new chairman of Kennington Football Club, a club that I have been a member of for nearly twenty years and in which I have had a variety of roles. I would also like to pay tribute to my predecesor Paul Brown who will be a hard act to follow but who I'm pleased to say will still be on hand with any help and advice.


These are interesting times for our club. The recently formed Kennington Community Recreation Trust, of which we are a part, and the introduction of the new Invicta League at level six gives us a real opportunity to take the club forward and the next five years could be as important as any in the clubs long history. In terms of playing members we are the biggest club in Ashford and our history is unrivaled by most clubs in the country, so this opportunity to improve our facilities and status is one that we are determined to grasp with both hands.


Our colleagues in the junior section will feature largely in our development too, with this seasons under 18 side in the Valley Express County League paving the way for the continuity of youngsters from the junior ranks all the way through to senior football.


The pre-season period has been as hectic as usual with friendlies to arrange, forms to get signed and league meetings to attend, but the attendances and attitude of the players during this period has been fantastic with many putting in the hard yards in the excellent sessions that Graham Prior has been putting on. Of course you still get the players who have yet to turn up to them and who think that they will just turn up on the eve of the season put on a pair of boots and perform, but in general the effort and enthusiasm of the players who have attended has been refreshing and infectious, and I know that Alan puts great emphasis on fitness so one or two people may be in for a shock when they eventualy turn up.
Our pre-season friendlies have also been deliberately tough matches, with games so far against Invicta League sides Lydd and Ashford United in which we gave a good account of ourselves and more importantly learned a lot. With a few more games lined up before the league kicks off on August 27th I feel that we will be as well prepared for this season as we have been for some time.


Our Sunday lads look in good shape too and I know that Graham and his side are looking to build on last seasons step up to the premier league. Their footballing ability has never been in doubt, but now with a seasons experience under their belts and another year to develop physically expectation will be greater this time out. From a personal perpective though I would like to see more players appearing on a Saturday (work permitting) this season. One or two have already signed so hopefully more will follow.


Anyway that's all for now, when I next write the season will be well and truly under way, let's hope for a good one.

Graham