Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The South East Counties Women's Football League stands as a vital competitive structure for women's football across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. Established in 1990, this league provides organized competition that helps develop talent and promote women's football throughout southeastern England. The league currently operates with multiple divisions including Division One East and West, as well as Kent Divisions that allow teams of various skill levels to compete appropriately.
Teams like Cray Wanderers, Kings Hill, Maidstone United, and Tonbridge Angels regularly battle for supremacy in this well-established competition. The league's structure offers a pathway for player development while fostering community engagement through local rivalries and competitive matches. This regional focus helps strengthen women's football at the grassroots level across these three counties.
History
The South East Counties Women's Football League has a rich history dating back to 1969. It evolved from the Sussex Martlet Women's League, which was founded by Norma Witherden and initially comprised just six clubs from Sussex.
Over the decades, the league has grown significantly beyond its humble beginnings. It represents an important part of the women's football pyramid in southern England, providing competitive opportunities for numerous clubs.
The broader women's football structure in the region saw further development in 2005 with the establishment of the London and South East Regional Women's Football League. This started with just a single Premier Division tier.
The regional structure has continued to evolve, with leagues like the South East Combination Women's Football League forming part of the pathway. This particular league featured teams like Brentwood Town, Cambridge Women, and Chesham United in the 2012-13 season.
Today, the South East Counties Women's Football League features multiple divisions with teams such as Margate, Meridian, Maidstone United, and Cray Valley Ladies competing at various levels. This structure provides opportunities for clubs of different sizes and capabilities throughout the southeast region.
Age Groups and Divisions
The South East Counties Women's Football League organizes its competitions across multiple divisions and age groups. The primary age category is "Open," which accommodates adult women players.
The league structure includes a Premier Division at the top tier, representing the highest level of competition within the league.
Below the Premier Division, the league operates several regional divisions. These include Surrey Premier Division, Kent Division 1 East, Kent Division 1 West, Surrey Division 1 North, and Surrey Division 1.
The divisions are organized geographically to cover the three counties under the league's jurisdiction: Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. This regional approach helps minimize travel time for teams and promotes local rivalries.
Teams may be placed in different divisions based on their geographical location, previous performance, and league structure requirements. Promotion and relegation between divisions occurs at the end of each season.
If a club cannot find an appropriate age group division in their County Association league, special arrangements may be made with their Parent Association to ensure competitive opportunities remain available.
The league was established in 1990 and has continued to provide competitive football opportunities for women across southeastern England, adapting its structure as the women's game has grown.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The South East Counties Women's Football League is managed by a dedicated committee of volunteers who oversee the league's operations. The Chairman also serves as the Referee's Secretary, providing leadership for officiating matters across the league.
Peter Hickman serves as a Committee Member and can be reached at 01444 257822 or via email at bhtlfc@talktalk.net.
Liz Symons is another active Committee Member who provides her expertise to the league. She can be contacted at 07903 127256 or through email at Liz.Symons@kentfa.com.
Barrie Ivens rounds out the committee membership and can be reached at 01732 843663. These dedicated individuals ensure the smooth running of fixtures, disciplinary matters, and overall league management.
The committee meets regularly to address ongoing matters related to the league's operation, including scheduling, team registration, and competition rules. They serve as the primary point of contact for clubs participating in the various divisions.
For specific inquiries about joining the league, referee appointments, or general information, clubs and players are encouraged to reach out to the appropriate committee member using the contact details provided above.
Teams
The South East Counties Women's Football League consists of several divisions with teams primarily from Kent, Surrey, and Sussex regions. The league structure includes a Premier Division and multiple regional divisions.
The Premier Division features clubs such as Bromleians, Glebe, London Road, Maidstone United, Margate, and Parkwood Rangers as noted in the search results.
In the Kent Division 1 East, teams include Aylesford 2nds and Baypoint Betteshanger, showing the league's tiered structure with reserve teams also participating.
Other teams competing in the league include AFC Littlehampton Ladies, Ashmount Leigh, Beckenham Town, and Burgess Hill Town, highlighting the geographical spread across the southeast counties.
The league also features Eastbourne United Association Women, Lancing Ladies, Leatherhead FC Women, and Steyning among its participating clubs.
Established in 1990, the league has evolved to accommodate multiple divisions including Division 1 East and West, Kent Division 1 East and West, and Kent Division 2 East and West as of the 2021/22 season.
The divisional structure allows for appropriate competitive levels and geographical convenience for the participating teams, minimizing travel distances where possible.
Players
The South East Counties Women's Football League features numerous talented players across its various divisions. The league has been providing competitive football opportunities since its establishment in 1990.
Several notable players compete in the league, including Ruby Ades, Molly Arnold, Ruby Buss, and Ali Button. These athletes represent their respective clubs with dedication and skill.
Other players mentioned in league records include Jade Carter and Chelsea, though complete roster information varies by team and season. Hannah Mustil is another player associated with the league, with contact information (07824558450) available for team-related inquiries.
The league structure allows players to develop their talents across different competitive levels. With divisions including Division 1 East & West and Kent Divisions 1 and 2, athletes have opportunities to compete at appropriate skill levels.
Player registration and eligibility follow standard women's football protocols. Teams maintain their own distinct player rosters, with many clubs featuring both established veterans and developing talents.
The 2021/22 season saw many players competing across the various divisional structures, contributing to the league's competitive environment. Players typically represent their local communities, strengthening the regional football identity.
