The new SCEFL season begins this weekend with the three Isthmian South East relegated clubs among the favourites to succeed Erith and Belvedere as Champions.
And two of them meet at Oakwood as VCD Athletic welcome Faversham Town as both begin life at this level. Many believe the squad that will be wearing Faversham colours will be the team to beat this season, but Sammy Moore will know with the favourites tag comes responsibility as well as a target which Danny Joy and his new look VCD side will look to hit on opening day.
The other relegated side, Corinthian, start with a home game as Kennington make the trip to Fawkham. Michael Golding will be hoping that the side can repeat its Championship and promotion winning campaign of three years ago. Kennington will provide an interesting test for Corinthian and Dan Scorer will be hoping that his charges can possibly take another big step forward this season.
Elsewhere as we have already previewed elsewhere this week, Punjab United host Bearsted as player coach Paul Vines will be looking for career goal number six four nine.
Two side who have recently changed their managers both start at home, Tunbridge Wells who saw Luke Carpenter depart with Steve Ives taking the hot seat as Scott Porter’s Hollands & Blair travel to the Culvenden whilst down at the coast Lydd Town play their first game in the Premier Division just a few weeks after manager Mickey Doyle resigned. Holmesdale make the trip to the edges of Romney Marsh as the home side play their first game at this level.
Another of the “new boys” are Snodland Town who welcome Stansfeld who are going into their second Premier Division season after their first season last time. For Luke Wallonds home side, there will be the hope that they can build on last season’s Division One Championship season as the club continues to move forward.
Deal Town make the trip to “metropolitan” end of the County to face Fisher with many people wondering if Steve Kings side can go that stage further this time round as they finished third last season and finished just three points behind the Champions. For the home side Ajay Ashanike will be looking for his charges to get a top half finish.
Whitstable Town welcome Erith Town to the Belmont and they’ll be looking to go closer than they did last season after rebuilding following their relegation to the division in 2022. Marcel Nimani will be hoping that his side can get off to a good start whilst for Erith Adam Woodward will welcome a good League campaign and possibly another good run in the FA Vase.
The final League game on opening day sees Welling Town start at their “new” home as they share with Phoenix Sports and welcome Rusthall to Bexleyheath.
Finally in the Roy Vinter Respect Charity Shield, Larkfield & New Hythe host Glebe as the two teams at the top of last season’s respective divisional respect tables meet.
Mr Vinter was a long-serving secretary-treasurer of the league, initially joining the management committee of the then-Kent League in 1980. He passed away in 2014.