I am determined to make Kent Football United a success despite the doubters, says Sam MacNeil

MANAGER Sam MacNeil says his club should be taken more seriously now that they have changed their name to Kent Football United.


Erith & Dartford Town were granted permission to change their name at yesterday’s Kent Invicta League annual general meeting.
 
They will continue to play at VCD Athletic’s Oakwood ground in Crayford and Roy MacNeil continues as the club’s chairman.

Erith & Dartford Town suffered a miserable first season in existence.  They finished in thirteenth-place (out of sixteen sides), but went through managers like it was going out of fashion.

Michael Morgan, Darren Anslow, Gary Abbott and Steve O’Boyle all managed the club before Sam MacNeil was drafted in by his father to manager the side.

Sam MacNeil, who set up Kent Football United in 2010, has grown the club from just seven boys at under 10’s to now pushing eighty players including a Kent League Girls team at under 14s, with the seniors being a huge addition to the set-up.

The club has a large group of FA qualified coaches and volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes of the club helping it to run efficiently and continue to grow at a sustainable rate.

The first team will be competing in the Kent Invicta League, FA Cup, FA Vase, London Senior Cup, Kent Intermediate Cup, Kent Invicta League Challenge Cup and Hospitals Cup next term.

“People doubted Erith & Dartford Town last year and to be fair with good reason,” said the manager.

“It wasn’t run anywhere near as well as it could have been but I see Kent Football United as a fresh start.

“We have a large working committee, lots of parental support which will raise our gate and the opportunity to get the youth players involved as mascots and ball boys which we will be in keeping with the positive club atmosphere I want to install in the club.”

Behind the scenes Gary Jeffrey has been appointed as the head of marketing and communication, Bradley Ambridge comes in as programme editor and Maria Tompkins is drafted in as head of hospitality.

MacNeil – the youngest manager in Kent football added: “I will be announcing my coaching management team for the new season in the coming weeks.

“I am determined to make Kent Football United a success despite the doubters.”
 
Visit Kent Football United’s website:  www.pitchero.com/clubs/kentelitefootballclub