THE number of junior footballers sent off in the county has increased for a third consecutive season, the Kent County FA reported today.

A total of 2,523 were ordered off compared to 2,465 last year - and that was up by 28 on the season before. Of those 2,523 cases, 2,428 were proved.

In addition, 27 players were charged with assaulting referees of which four players received indefinite suspensions. Six other cases have been proved, five charges have been varied while four were found not to be proved. Another eight are waiting to be heard.

The Medway area (Division 2) showed a big increase with the number of dismissals rising from last year’s 710 to 754 . But the worst was in Division 3 (Maidstone and Ashford) which rose from 496 to 575.

Elsewhere, the numbers dropped. In Division 1, (North Kent) they went down from 747 to 691 and in Division 4 (Thanet) from 512 to 509.

But the number of players cautioned showed a reduction, dropping from last season’s total of 13,040 to 12,387. The total number of cases dealt with decreased from 15,532 to 14,949.

All misconduct figures are taken up to May 7 as the report was compiled earlier than usual.The number of clubs affiliating to the KCFA was 1,711, a drop of 153 on last year. Apart from the intermediate and women’s groups, clubs were lost in all categories.

In his report, KCFA director of finance Peter Enright reveals that the KCFA accounts show a deficit before tax of £2,361. He warns of what he describes as a tough financial ride over the next few years.

He explained: “We are experiencing difficulties in administering the many new initiatives being introduced by the Football Association due to our inability to house any more staff in our office.

“The board have discussed numerous possibilities of overcoming this problem, and, whatever the final solution, there will be substantial cost involved.”

The annual report will be formally presented at the KCFA annual meeting on Saturday, June 15, at Sandwich Town Hall.