The future of a long-standing football league is under threat over serious discipline issues and the abuse of officials which is “out of control”.
Kent County Football League chairman Gavin Hoare has sent a warning letter to member clubs over concern and exasperation from himself and the committee following a series of issues, including seven games that have been abandoned in the last 12 months, with police attending on more than one occasion.
In a stern message to member clubs, Mr Hoare claimed a minority of them “cannot control the behaviour of their spectators and/or their players.” He has said the league’s executive committee have had enough and they are exploring ways of reducing the discipline problems which could mean points deductions, a name-and-shame policy and expelling the worst offending teams.
The Kent County League - founded in 1922 and currently consisting of seven divisions - is a National League System Regional Feeder League for open-age men's football based all over Kent and South East London, with direct promotion to the Southern Counties East Football League.