SHIELA BOSWELL, Medway’s first lady of football, has been honoured with the Kent County FA’s long and meritorious service award.

She received the medal from KCFA chairman and chief executive Barry Bright at Saturday’s annual meeting in Sandwich. Mrs Boswell, who lives in Barnsole Road, Gillingham, is the first woman to receive the award.

The wife of Medway Today Sunday League secretary Colin Boswell, she started her career in administration in October, 1961, shortly after she was married.

She was appointed treasurer of the Medway and Gravesend Youth Clubs Minor League, a position she retained until the competition became defunct in 1964.

In that year she was appointed the registrations secretary of the Medway Area Sunday League, a position she held for 37 years until her retirement at the end of last season. During that time she processed 3,000 players’ registration forms per season.

In addition, she has worked as a personal assistant to her husband with typing and administration, not only in the Medway Sunday League, but the Kent Youth League and County Football Association, the Medway Towns Sports Council and the many numerous organisations her husband has served on or is still connected with.

She said afterwards: "I am delighted to have received such a great honour."

Long and meritorious service awards were also presented to John Self of Bromley Football Club, Peter White of Goudhurst FC, Trevor Laker of Woodnesborough and Derek Hodge, secretary of the Sevenoaks and District League.

It was a bitter-sweet moment for Mr Laker, whose club, Woodnesborough, are reeling from the destruction of their clubhouse by vandals last week.

Former Chatham Town chairman Peter Enright, the KCFA’s director of finance, was presented with a long service award for 15 years’ service while Gravesend’s Roger Bowen received a special presentation for his work in Division 1.

In his financial report, Mr Enright warned the meeting to expect additional costs as the KCFA seek to replace their existing premises in Maidstone Road, Chatham with new offices.

"Though we made a small loss last season, the results were quite satisfying," he said. "Fines from disciplinary cases amounted to £17,000 while an FA grant of £20,000 helped us keep a tight control over expenditure.

"But additional costs will be involved in the coming year as we look for new premises which we need to meet the fresh demands being placed on us by the FA. That means taking on new staff."

Norman Chatfied was unanimously elected as president of the KCFA, succeeding the late Ernie Bennett. Mr Chatfield was elected to Division 3 in 1972 and becomes the KCFA’s 11th president.

In congratulating Mr Chatfield, Mr Bright paid tribute to Mr Bennett along with other top KCFA officials, Richard Hawworth, Harry Howting, Tommy Knell and Roger Cork, who had all passed away during last season.

"I worry that there are not the people coming through at grass roots administration level to replace them," he said.

Mr Bright made presentations to representatives of Bearsted and Sevenoaks Town to mark the clubs’ attaining senior status.