Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Kent Youth League stands as a prominent football competition for young players across Kent, England. The league provides structured competition and development opportunities for youth footballers, with the current 2024-2025 season running from September 8th through May 18th, 2025. The league organizes matches across various age groups, offering thousands of young players the chance to compete in a well-established system that emphasizes skill development and fair play.
Players and families involved in the Kent Youth League can expect a thoughtful schedule that respects holidays, with no matches planned for December 29th and Easter Sunday (April 20th, 2025). The league also promotes positive sporting values through initiatives like the "Silent Support weekend," which encourages appropriate sideline behavior from spectators.
Beyond regular season matches, the Kent Youth League culminates in exciting finals events that showcase the best talent from across the region. These championship matches represent the pinnacle of youth football in Kent, with highlights often featured on the league's media channels to celebrate the achievements of participating teams and players.
History
The Kent Youth League was established in 1981, founded through the vision of Dick Mace, who at the time served as secretary of Dartford FC. The league began modestly with just 8 clubs participating in its inaugural season.
Dick Mace is recognized as a joint Life President of the league, highlighting his significant contribution to youth football in Kent. Since its formation, the league has maintained its affiliation with the Kent County Football Association.
Over the decades, the Kent Youth League has expanded considerably from its initial eight-club format. The league now provides competitive football opportunities for youth teams across various age groups throughout Kent.
Gillingham FC has played an important role in the league's development, serving as an official sponsor and partner. This professional club connection has helped strengthen the league's position in the regional football structure.
The Under-18 division has been a cornerstone of the league since its early days, with documented league tables available for seasons spanning from 1990/91 through 2002/03. Competition history is preserved through records like the John Ullmann Cup for Under-18s.
The league continues to serve as an important platform for youth player development in Kent, maintaining its founding principles while adapting to changes in grassroots football over more than four decades of operation.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Kent Youth League has expanded significantly since its founding in 1981, when it began with just 8 clubs at the U18 level. Today, the league operates with 193 teams competing across 20 divisions and participating in 5 cup competitions.
The league structures its age groups from Under 13 through Under 18, with particular organization in the U13 to U16 categories. Each age bracket is further divided into geographic regions: North, Central, South, and East.
For the U14 to U16 divisions, teams are strategically organized so that clubs from North/Central and South/East regions compete against teams of similar ability. This approach helps create more balanced and competitive matches across the league.
The U14 division specifically includes East Red, North, Central, South, and East sections. Similarly, the U13 age group is divided into North, Central, South, and East divisions.
When accepting new clubs or teams at the Under 14, 15, 16, and 18 levels, the league requires that the senior club to which the junior club is affiliated must play at STEP 7 or higher in football.
The youth football format in Kent has evolved over time, introducing various team sizes including 5v5, 7v7, and 9v9 across different age groups to ensure appropriate development stages for young players.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Kent Youth League operates with a dedicated team of officials who manage various aspects of youth football throughout Kent. The leadership structure includes both executive positions and committee members who ensure smooth operations.
Iain Allan serves as the Chairman and Treasurer for the Kent Youth Football League. He can be contacted at his address: 12 Mossbank, Walderslade, Chatham, Kent, ME5 8AB or by telephone at 01634 864839.
Charlotte Richardson handles administrative duties and can be reached via email at charlotte.richardson@kentyouthleague.co.uk.
Key committee members include Terry Cooper, who also serves as a referee mentor and match observer. His contact email is terry.cooper@kentyouthleague.co.uk.
Match Day Communications:
- Home teams must send full match confirmations to the opposition, referee, and confirmations@kentyouthleague.co.uk by midnight Monday
- Match day reporting must be completed by home teams by 7pm
For those interested in volunteering or seeking additional information about the league, contacting the Board President or Secretary is recommended. The league maintains open communications for parents, coaches, and players.
All officials work to uphold the league's standards and ensure youth football in Kent provides positive experiences for all participants.
Teams
The Kent Youth League has grown significantly since its founding in 1981, when it started with just 8 clubs at the U18 level. As of the 2022-2023 season, the league has expanded to include 193 teams across 20 divisions and 5 cup competitions.
Teams in the league are organized into different age groups ranging from U13 to U18. The U13 division features prominent teams such as Bromley FC U13 KYL, Metrogas U13 Blue, Welling United FC U13 KYL, and Cray Valley Youth U13.
In the U16 category, competing teams include Bromley FC U16 KYL, Danson Sports Football Club U16, Ebbsfleet United Youth U16 Whites, Glebe (Youth) U16 Kent, Greenways Aces U16, and Kent Football United Youth.
For the U18 Premier division, the league hosts teams like Ashford United U18 Premier, Faversham Town FC U18 Premier, Folkestone Invicta U18, Kent Football United Youth U18, Margate Youth U18 KYL FC, and Phoenix.
From the U14 to U16 divisions, teams are strategically divided based on geographical locations. This arrangement ensures that teams from North/Central and South/East regions compete against others of similar ability levels.
This structured approach helps maintain competitive balance while reducing travel distances for youth teams, making the league more accessible and enjoyable for young players across Kent.
Players
The Kent Youth League offers numerous opportunities for young footballers looking to join a team. Currently, there are openings for players across multiple age groups including Under 13's, Under 14's, Under 15's, Under 16's, and Under 18's.
Erith Town U16 is actively recruiting established Kent Youth players who are committed to joining their well-run family club. They're seeking players with previous experience in the league who can contribute to their established program.
One U15 team is looking for experienced players in all positions for the 2024/25 season. Interested players can discuss trial dates over the telephone, providing a structured pathway to join the team.
For younger players, there are opportunities at the U13 level with a team that has recently returned to the Kent Youth League. This team is specifically seeking adaptable players who can train on Tuesday and Thursday nights at Herne Bay Sports Hub.
The league has grown significantly since its founding in 1981. What began with just 8 clubs at U18 level has expanded to include 193 teams across 20 divisions as of the 2022-2023 season, providing extensive playing opportunities for youth footballers in Kent.
Most recruitment announcements can be found through the league's official channels, including their website and social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
