The Kent FA have published an open letter to all players, spectators and officials of Kent football after some shocking events prior to the latest lockdown.
A number of events have occured that have led to the powers that be to issue the very public statement in the hope that it will change some behaviours before football can resume across the county from Monday Match 29th.
The open letter reads:
Open Letter to Players, Spectators and Officials of Kent football,
As we are now only days away from the much-anticipated restart of grassroots football, we felt it necessary to address a significant challenge that our beautiful game faces.
Shockingly, in the 9 weekends between the re-commencement of football on 2nd September 2020 and the pausing of football on 5th November 2020, the following was reported to Kent FA:
• 9 U7-U18 games abandoned due to the alleged poor behaviour of players, spectators and team officials
• 8 Open Aged games abandoned due to the alleged poor behaviour of players, spectators and team officials
• 5 misconduct charges levied of threatening behaviour against Match Officials • 906 incidences of the following:
– Use of offensive, insulting or abusive language, dissent by word or action (814) – Improper Conduct against a Match Official -(including abusive language/behaviour)(55) – Failure to ensure Players and/or Officials and/or Spectators conducted themselves in an orderly fashion (37)
While the vast majority of those involved with our game act in a fair, respectful and positive way week in and week out, sadly there is an increasing number that do not.
This is unacceptable for a game that should be safe, fun and inclusive for players of all ages, abilities and experiences. The Kent Football Association and the 29 affiliated Leagues within the County are jointly concerned by this increase in poor behaviour.
We each carry the responsibility of ensuring our game is an enjoyable place to play, coach and officiate football.
Let us make it clear that your actions will determine the enjoyment of players, spectators and officials around you. Every foul and abusive word, every threatening action and every physical assault damages the experience of every other individual who loves our game.
Match officials, whether they are qualified or volunteering, must be respected. We can assure you that whilst you will not always agree with their decisions, match officials are not your opposition. They look forward to officiating your game as much as you do playing or coaching it. However, due to how many of them are treated by players, spectators and team officials, less are stepping forward to officiate. There will be a direct consequence to your match and our game will slide further from where we want it to be.
Any of the 29 affiliated leagues can offer their clubs the opportunity to exclude a club or team from the league. This is obviously a last resort that the League Officials would like to take, but they do have this authority within the Standard Code of Rules.
Further to this, please never forget that the people that spend many hours organising your games are volunteers. This means they are not paid for what they do. It also means that when they feel their efforts are not appreciated, they may walk away from managing your clubs and leagues.
Therefore, to ensure Kent football is a safe, fun and inclusive place, we have a simple request for players, spectators and team officials:
“Act respectfully to ensure everyone can enjoy our game.” Signed on behalf of Kent County Football Association
Denise Richmond Darryl Haden Nick Dunn Chair of Kent FA Chief Executive Officer Referee Development Officer
Affiliated Youth and Adult Leagues of the Kent County Football Association
Roger Corkhill Alan Speakman Nancy Cooke Secretary Chairman Secretary and Welfare Officer
Ashford & District Football League
Ashford and District Sunday League
Ashford And District Youth League
Nick Riley Richard Baines Janet Nunn Chairman Chairman Secretary
Bromley and South London Football League
Canterbury and District Football League
Dover and District Sunday Football League
Arnie Van Orsouw David McGovarin Barbara Dickenson Chairman Chairman Secretary
East Kent Youth League Faversham & District Youth Football League
Herne Bay and Whitstable Sunday League
Gavin Hoare Joanne Hiscock Mike Hanaway Chairman Secretary Secretary
Kent County Football League Kent Disability Football League
Kent Girls & Ladies Football League
Ken Brooke David Boughton Sarah Waite Chief Executive Chairman Secretary
Kent Youth League Maidstone and Mid Kent Sunday F.L.
Maidstone Boys Primary
Matthew Hance John Bowen Derrick De-Negri Secretary Chairman Secretary
Maidstone Invicta Primary League
Maidstone Minor Football League
Medway Messenger Sunday Football League
Victor Smith Nick Bannister Ricky Adams Chairman Chief Executive Chairman
Medway Messenger Youth League
North Kent Sunday League North Kent Youth League
Philip Cheverton Terry Lawrence Kevin Turner Secretary Chief Executive Secretary
Orpington and Bromley District Sunday Football League
Rochester & District Football League
Sevenoaks And District Football League
Michael Butcher Greg Petts Michael Green Chairman Secretary Secretary
Sheppey Sunday Football League
South East Counties Womens League
Thanet And District Football League
Matt Dixon Angela Barham Secretary General Secretary
Thanet Sunday Football League
West Kent Sunday League