Kent Youth League to introduce a Premier League next season

The Kent Youth League have announced plans to introduce a Premier League at under 18 level for club’s who play at their own grounds next season.



The League, which was formed in 1981, will confirm who will be playing in the new division at their annual general meeting, which takes place at Lordswood Sports & Social Club on Tuesday, 26 June.

A statement from Ken Brooke, the League’s assistant chief executive, which was published on  www.kentyouthleague.co.uk, said: “The League is delighted to announce that from the beginning of season 2012-2013 there will be a Premier League at Under 18 level which will be based totally on the facility used by the team and club.

“A meeting was held recently with a number of clubs who had expressed an interest in setting up this Division, driven by those clubs who are happy to ensure that all matches are played on the first team pitch.

“In return for this commitment, the League has ensured that each game will be covered by three match officials, and a fixed fee for referee and assistants costs has been agreed with the clubs.

“This will ensure that the League provides an excellent stepping stone for those players looking to progress to reserve and first team football and bridge that all important gap between youth and adult football.

“Clubs will also have the option to play some of these games midweek by mutual agreement between both teams.  We expect the majority of games to be played on a Sunday as it is a Sunday competition, but if agreed, games can be played on a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday evening.

“The League will not sanction a Wednesday fixture as we have an agreement with Kent Schools which we fully support and endorse.

“We do have one division sorted and this is based on those clubs using first team facilities that also have floodlights.

“We are also looking to run a Second Division of the Premier League, again based on teams using their first team pitches, but that do not have floodlights, or where one of the teams plays in the Premier League.

“The League will commit to providing at least one match each week with three officials and this will be rotated amongst the teams.

“This has very much been a joint effort by the clubs and the League to get this project off the ground and our thanks go to those club secretaries and chairmen who are supporting this idea.

“The League has the full support of the management committee to get this off the ground and we have worked tirelessly on this to make it happen, ably supported by the referee secretaries.

“We feel that this decision further enhances the League’s reputation at senior level, as well as moving back to when the League was first formed back in 1981.

“We will be announcing the Leagues to all clubs very shortly, but felt that the time was right to formally announce our plans.”

Tonbridge Angels (Central), Ramsgate (East), Welling United (North) and Dartford (South) were title winners last season , but all played away from their main grounds, although Dartford played on the 3G Community Pitch at Princes Park Stadium.

Only one Conference club, Bromley, played their Kent Youth League games on their home ground last season, but with the club re-instating a reserve side next season, which will compete in the Suburban League and will play their home games at Hayes Lane, their Kent Youth sides will have to find alternative venues next season.

Eight of the twelve clubs in the Premier A Division of the Suburban League last season featured clubs at Conference South level, therefore improving the standard of the division.

Visit the Kent Youth League website: www.kentyouthleague.co.uk