Kent County Football League clubs warned over their conduct in letter from chairman Gavin Hoare

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.

Mr Hoare said that "this season has been one of the worst for discipline and even more worrying, serious discipline.

“This badly tarnishes the league's reputation and falls well below any standard we expect.

“On top of this, we have had teams choosing when they want to play and on what type of pitch they will play on, leading to games being postponed which did not need to be. This is not acceptable as so much work goes into putting fixtures together."

He said this this season, 14 games have not been fulfilled due to the actions of one club.

“Abuse to match officials is also now out of control and must stop,” he wrote.

“There have been 23 charges