DENISE Richmond is the new chairman of the Go Travel-sponsored Kent Football League. Regarded as one of Kent’s new breed of football administrators, she succeeds long-serving Peter Wager who takes the role of president.

David Skeel was elected vice-chairman while league secretary-treasurer Roy Vinter also takes the job of registrations secretary. Mrs Richmond, who lives at New Eltham, is a former secretary of Greenwich Borough and chairman of Cray Valley Paper Mills who run teams in the Kent County and Kent Youth Leagues.

She said: “It is a tremendous honour to be elected chairman of the Kent League. There is a lot of work to do and I’m looking forward to meeting the challenges that lie ahead.”

The League constitution for the 2002-03 season shows little change. The Premier Division will remain unchanged with the same 16 clubs as last season. Greenwich Borough have withdrawn from Division 1 where three new clubs, Corinthian, Erith and Belvdere and Maidstone United were elected.

This increase of three teams will see 12 competing in both the Northern and Southern sections. The new season starts on Saturday, August 10.

Premier Division: Beckenham, Cray, Deal, Erith Town, Faversham, Greenwich Borough, Herne Bay, Hythe, Lordswood, Maidstone, Ramsgate, Slade Green, Thamesmead, Tunbridge Wells, VCD Athletic and Whitstable.

Division 1: Ashford, Beckenham, Chatham, Corinthian, Cray, Dartford, Deal, Dover, Erith and Belvedere, Erith Town, Folkestone Invicta, Furness, Hastings Town, Herne Bay, Hythe, Lordswood, Maidstone, Margate, Ramsgate, Sittingbourne, Thamesmead, Tunbridge Wells, VCD and Whitstable.

BRITISH ENERGY KENT COUNTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Constitution Season 2002-2003

Premier Division: Beauwater, Bearsted, Crockenhill, Greenways. Division 1 West: Aylesford PM, AFC Blackheath, Cray Valley PM, Belvedere, Bly Spartans, Eynsford, Fleetdown Utd, Holmesdale, Moonshot, Oakwood, Pembury, Phoenix Sports, Rusthall, Thames Pol. Division 1 East: Bromley Green, Betteshanger W, Bliby, Dover Gate, Norton Sports, Smarden, Snowdown CW, St Margarets, Tenterden Tigers, University/Kent. Division 2 West: Boro Utd, Eltham Palace, Farnborough OB Guild, Halls, Larkfield/New Hythe, Otford, Orpington, Old Bexleians, Old Bromleians, Platt Utd, South Ath, Westerham. Division 2 East: Betteshanger W Res, Kennington Res, Lydd Town Res, New Romney Res, St Margaret’s Res, Sheerness East Res, Tyler Hill, Tenterden Tigers Res, University/Kent Res, Woodstock Park. Division 3 West: Colour Ath, Chislehurst, Chipstead, Kingsdown Racers, Lanes End, Leaves Green, Guru Nanak, NPI, Old Addeyans, Samuel Mon YC, Tonbridge Invicta, Town Malling, Staplehurst. Reserve Division 1 West: Beauwaters, Bearsted, Fleetdown Utd, Greenways, Oakwood, Otford Utd, Phoenix Sports, Sevenoaks Town, Snodland, Stansfeld O & B Club, Thames Poly, Wickham Park, Holmesdale. Reserve Division 2 West: Boro Utd, Belvedere, Chipstead, Chislehurst, Eynsford, Halls, APM, Larkfield/New Hythe, Old Bexleians, Orpington, Town Malling Utd, Westerham, Old Bromleians.

Cup Competitions: Inter-regional Challenge Cup; (Premier Division & Division 1 Clubs only), Senior Les Leckie Cup (Eastern), Junior Division Cup (Eastern), West Kent Challenge Shield (Western), Reserve Division Cup (Western). Invitation Challenge Cups (subject to shortage of fixtures only), GR Roofing Challenge Cup (Bearsted v Stansfeld O & B Club, at Otham, nr Maidstone, August 24, 2002).

Commencement of Season: Premier Division: Saturday, August 31, 2002. All Other Divisions: Saturday, September 7 2002.

UEFA Regions Cup: Kent have been selected to represent England 2002-2003; First group matches to be played in Estonia between September-December dates have as yet to be confirmed by the Estonia FA.