03/07/2025 : Kent Walking Football League AGM Minutes

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Kent Walking Football League

 

AGM- Thursday 3rd July 2025 commencing at 6:30 pm

 

Ditton Community Centre, Kinbarn Road, Aylesford ME206AH

 

Chairman: Colin Feaver Secretary: Terry Mulholland Scrutineer: Nigel Bragg

 

FA Representative: Harry Burgess

 

The meeting began at 6:30

 

Minutes

– In summary, 19 Clubs were represented and eligible to vote. Apologies were received from 2 clubs (Chatham and Canterbury), and therefore, they were not eligible to vote. Additionally, 1 other club (Sheppey Warriors) failed to attend and lost the right to vote.
 
 
– Attendees:
 
 

Steve Everett & Phil Lancaster (Anchorians) Vince Monticelli & Stuart Smith (Ashford Internazionale) Jason Lynch & Mike Saunders (Aylesford) George Evans (Bay City) Gary Seymour (Bexley) Chris Judge (Ebbsfleet) Brian Chatfield & Neil Foad (Ethelbert Wanderers) Harry Roberts (Herne Bay) Andy Freeman ( Insulators) Greg Bunard ( Kings Hill) David Abbott (Maidstone) Frankie Empson (Margate) Tim Mather & Rob Pugh (Ramsgate) Andy Morton & Peter Lay (Range Rovers) Craig Knowles & Nigel Bragg (Tonbridge Angels) Steve Aslett (Whitstable) Craig Lipka & Pete Coles ( Woodchurch) Terry Mulholland (Woodnesborough) Phil Elsey & Phil Fox(HaydenFC).

 

 

I. The minutes of the last AGM were reviewed and confirmed as a true & accurate record.

Proposed – Craig Lipka (Woodchurch)

Seconded – Gary Seymour (Bexley)

 

 

II. The Receipts & Payments account for the last season prepared by Jason Lynch (League Treasurer) shows an opening balance of £55.19 / Receipts of £880 less payments of £845.44- Leaving a negative balance of -£89.75, which is being recovered from the KWFL Rep side players before the start of the new season.
 

 

Proposed – Craig Lipka (Woodchurch)

 

 

Seconded – Gary Seymour (Bexley)

 

 

Chairman Report:

 

 

Good evening & a very warm welcome to Ditton for tonight’s AGM. We are joined by Harry Burgess from the Kent FA, who I would like to thank for his & his colleagues’ support throughout the season. Special thanks to my committee colleagues who have been an absolute pleasure to work with throughout the season. We really have worked extremely well & closely together as a team & overall, I believe we have done a good job, sometimes in challenging / onerous circumstances & inevitably making some mistakes along the way.

 

 

As Secretary for the 2023/24 season, I emphasised at our last AGM the importance of good administration & encouraged all clubs to identify good administrators within their ranks, or parent clubs where appropriate.

 

 

On a negative note, similar to the previous season, a disproportionate amount of time has been devoted to chasing Clubs, firstly at the point of affiliation, then player registrations & finally with the ongoing arranging & completion of fixtures within the published parameters. I liken it to the 80/20 rule, with 20% of clubs creating 80% of the work. Frustratingly, there have been instances where new personnel have joined clubs & clearly, have had no guidance from other more experienced colleagues. Please remember that help is always on hand, either from the committee or the Kent FA. The majority of our focus has been in the best interest of getting fixtures completed on a timely basis ……& to that end have moved heaven & earth to achieve this. Skippy has devoted a huge & unnecessary amount of time, continually chasing in this regard. Whilst appreciating the difficulties that some clubs face with booking venues etc, there have been instances where clubs seemingly are unable or unwilling to reach a compromise.

 

 

On the positive side, we have recruited more referees following the FA Refs course early in the year, which was well attended.

 

 

We introduced a new format for finals day, which was a success. Congratulations to everyone who took part & especially to Over 50’s champs Bexley & Over 60’s champs Bexley!!

 

 

We have reinvented the league representative squads for both the Over 50’s & 60’s. Enjoying some success with the 60’s, winning the bronze trophy for finishing in 3rd position at the finals day in Coleshill, Birmingham, last month. Thanks & well done to both Terry & Nigel for their organisation & input, along with coaches Craig Lipka & Dave Plumb.

 

 

Skippy has done a great job as fixture secretary & taken the data input of the FA fulltime app to a new level with player stats, logos etc., etc.

 

 

Future plans for next season include:

 

 

Publishing the date for finals day at the beginning of the season.

 

 

Re-introducing a marking process for referees for each match – to be incorporated on the match report form, with the highest-scoring referees over the season, being appointed to officiate at finals day. Inviting our group of referees to a meeting, with a view to discussing & ascertaining a more consistent approach & to that end, appointing a nominated committee member to liaise with referees with the aim of achieving a more consistent approach.

 

 

The match report form team list to denote/identify the Goalkeeper position with a view to introducing a Golden Glove award.

 

 

Consider the possibility of obtaining a kit sponsor for the League Rep squads.

 

 

Introduce a County-wide cup competition.

 

 

So with lots to look forward to – before concluding my report & passing you over to Terry, it

is important that everyone in attendance tonight has the opportunity to express their views

During the evening & to do so, please raise your hand when necessary, & state your name &

Club, before making your point.

 

 

Finally, you will be aware that I agreed to stand in as temporary Chairman, literally at the 11th hour prior to our last AGM. Having seen the season through, I am now standing down in order to focus on my club activities at Woodchurch. Thank you for your support…

 

 

Keep Walking!!

 

 

Secretary’s Report:​

 

 

I would also like to thank the committee for their hard work throughout a challenging first season together. There was the pressure of preparing for the 2025 Season to start on time in getting all clubs to affiliate and register all players to align with the Kent FA window. This was a huge task which did not go smoothly, but I would like to thank Nigel Bragg for his efforts in getting this completed on time.

 

 

I would like to emphasise the importance of good administration and would encourage all clubs to identify good administrators within their ranks or parent clubs where appropriate. We do not want the same issues this year, so we get off to a good start for the 2025/26 season.

 

 

There were frustrations around the lack of responses from some clubs during the season, so I hope going forward that everyone gives us the support we need.

 

 

On a positive note, we completed the season within the time schedule with the support and efforts from Skippy (Fixture Secretary) whom I’d like to thank for his efforts through the season. We held a great Finals Day at the YMCA. Congratulations to Bexley on both +50’s & +60’s Champions.

 

 

We also successfully pulled together the Kent WFL Rep sides for both +50’s and +60’s, who successfully progressed to the Finals in June and gave a good account of themselves.

 

 

Finally, I’d like to thank Colin for stepping into the Chairman role last season and for his commitment and dedicated time in ensuring the league was run smoothly, which was not easy. Unfortunately, Colin has decided not to continue in this role, so he leaves the door open for a replacement, which we can hopefully fill someone with as much vigour as he had.

 

 

III. Election of Competition Officers and Management Committee Members
 
 
 

Colin Feaver had notified their intention to stand down as Chairman for the 2025/26 season after taking on the role last year on a temporary basis.

 

 

Terry Mulholland has agreed to stand as Chairman and Secretary for the 2025/26 Season.

 

 

Nigel Bragg has agreed to stand as Vice Chairman and Registration Secretary.

 

 

The following members are prepared to continue in the Committee as detailed below.

 

 

Chairman & Secretary: Terry Mulholland

 

 

Vice Chairman & Registration Secretary: Nigel Bragg

 

 

Treasurer: Jason Lynch

 

 

Fixture Secretary: Darren Madden

 

 

Discipline Officer: Frances Empson

 

 

Compliance Officer: Tim Mathers (To oversee, assist, support & enforce all Administration areas including affiliation, player registration, fixture arrangement, notification & completion, result reporting, along with any on-field disciplinary issues)

 

 

Proposed – Gary Seymour (Bexley)

 

 

Seconded – Brian Chatfield (Ethelbert)

 

 

 

IV. Alterations of Rules– Full details of proposals (which are subject to Kent FA ratification) for new rules & Minor amendments to existing rules are as follows:
 
 
 
– Management Committee -prepared by Registration Secretary Nigel Bragg, proposal to regulate transfers and new registrations during the season.
 
 
 

There is currently no mechanism in the League’s rules to regulate the frequency and dates of transfers or new registrations. This means that a club, upon qualifying for the league finals, could theoretically recruit a number ofplayers from teams that have not qualified for the finals just to bolster their squad.

 

 

Likewise, a lack of regulation means clubs are currently entitled to import players from other leagues to turn out on finals day.

 

 

In the interest of fairness and transparency, the League Committee proposed that a number of restrictions be introduced to control regulations and transfers.

 

 

Proposal 1

 

 

Regulation of new players’ deadline date.

 

 

I. The committee proposed that players must be registered with clubs by the last day of February to be eligible to represent that club during the remainder of the season.
 
 
 
 
II. Clubs wishing to register new players after this date may only do so with the express permission of the league committee. Only extenuating circumstances, such as injury or a player leaving the club, will be considered justifiable reasons for registering new players beyond this date. If a new player is registered after the deadline date, the player(s) they are replacing will be de-registered and ineligible to play for the remainder of the season.
 

 

Proposed – Andy Freeman (Insulators)

 

 

Seconded – Gary Seymour (Bexley)

 

 

Proposal 2

 

 

Transfer Restrictions

 

 

I. A player may be transferred between clubs in the Kent WF League only once during any given season.
 
 
II. If a player is registered to a club with multiple teams in the league, a player may transfer from one team to another, but again, only once during any given season.
 
 
III. The committee proposed that any transfers must be completed by the last day of February for players to be eligible to represent the new club during the remainder of the season.
 
 
IV. Clubs wishing to transfer in players after this date may only do so with the express permission of the League Committee. Only in extenuating circumstances, such as injury or a player leaving the club, will be considered as a justifiable reason for transferring players beyond this date. If a player is transferred after the deadline date, the player(s) they are replacing will be de-registered and ineligible to play for the remainder of the season.
 

 

Proposed – Andy Freeman (Insulators)

 

Seconded – Gary Seymour (Bexley)

 

 

Proposal to grade referee performances in post-match feedback

Context –

 

 

Whilst accepting that refereeing is a difficult task and that there are bound to be variations in interpretation of the laws of the game, the League Committee is keen to play its part in upholding the highest standard of officiating. To this end, we suggested that the League reintroduce a system of grading referee performances in each fixture, in order to generate positive, performance-enhancing feedback for officials and to drive standards and consistency.

 

 

Proposal

 

 

Referee performance Feedback forms

 

 

I. The League Committee (in consultation with the clubs) will develop a short feedback form for mandatory completion by representatives of both clubs after each league fixture.
 
 
II. The criteria to be graded will be agreed upon among all league clubs, but should include categories such as clarity of communication, consistency of decision making, interpretation of non-walking / contact offences,etc.
 
 
III. Feedback forms, once completed, will be sent to the league Committee, who will collate all data received into a running performance register.
 
 
IV. The League Committee will provide periodic feedback assessments (timings TBA) to each referee with the aim of enhancing consistency and standards.
 
 
V. The highest scoring eligible referees over the season will be invited to officiate at the season-ending League finals events.

 

Proposed – Craig Knowles (Tonbridge)

 

Seconded – Steve Aslett (Whitstable)

 

 

All Changes were unanimously voted in.

 

 

Minor amendments to existing rules, the current Committee proposed the following minor amendments to existing rules (subject to Kent FA ratification).

 

 

I. 18B3 – Amend to: at least 8 players to be registered 7 days before the start of the playing season.
 
 
II. 20G -Amend to: Club may name up to 5 substitute players, of whom all may be used.
 
 
III. 21- Amend to: The Competition Secretary must receive within 24 hours of the date played the result of each competition match.
 
 
IV. 23I – Amend to: The Referee shall sign a match report form, supplied by the competition, giving the result of the competition Match, the number of players in each team and the time of kick-off, which must be submitted to the fixture Secretary by the home club within 24 hours of the Competition Match.

 

Proposed – Steve Everett (Anchorians)

 

Seconded – Harry Roberts (Herne Bay)

 

All changes were unanimously voted in favour of.

 

New Club – Hayden FC requested to join the Kent Walking Football League.

 

Proposed – Tim Mather (Ramsgate)

 

Seconded – Harry Roberts (Herne Bay)

 

Voted unanimously in Favour.

 

V. New League Format. 2025-26 Season suggestions/proposals.
 

Gary Seymour – Bexley

 

Play 3 games at one location, once a month.

Voted – those in Favour 2 / those Against 17 

 

This left the other options to be considered:

 

Option 1–Start the season with Split Divisions Premier / 1stDivision – playing Home & Away with promotions / Relegations, Top 2 in each division go to finals day. With a cup competition and winter break.

 

Option 2 – Keep divisions as they are, but play each other twice, Home & Away

 

The top 2 go to Finals Day

 

Option 3 – Have 3 Divisions across Kent – East / Central / West -for both +50’s & +60’s -playing Home & Away. The top 2 in each Division go to Finals Day, along with the Best 2nd-placed.

 

Votes: Those in favour 10, Those against ,6 Abstain 3

 

Option 3 was voted in favour.

 

It was proposed that the decision on which Teams go into each Division was deferred until Friday, 11th July, to allow Terry / Skippy and Nigel to review the best options.

 

 
VI. 2025/26 Season Start Date
 
 

The Season / Fixtures will start week commencing Sunday 7th September ( the end date will depend on the fixtures and Christmas break)

 

The Kent Walking Football Finals Date was confirmed as Sunday, 17th May 2026.

 

Proposed – Dave Abbott (Maidstone)

 

Seconded – Craig Knowles (Tonbridge)

 

Referee / League Fees

 

Proposed Referee Fees to be set at £35

 

League Fee to be increased to £30

 

Proposed – Dave Abbott (Maidstone)

 

Seconded – Craig Knowles (Tonbridge)

 

AOB

 

– Craig Lipka (Woodchurch) requested permission to contact all club contacts to highlight charity/sponsor opportunities.
 
 
– Women’s Walking football interests are to be directed to Dom Welsh @Tonbridge Angels.

 

The Meeting closed at 9 pm

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