Minster Programme ISSUU

SCEFL

Southern Counties East Football League First Division

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£2.50

VS CROYDON FC SATURDAY 8TH AUGUST 2026

3PM KICK OFF HARTSDOWN PARK

Matchday Sponsor

FOUNDED 1911

FOOTBALL CLUB

3RD TEAM (1911) MANAGER TBC

VICE-CHAIRMAN Gary Beckett

SUNDAY TEAM MANAGER Greg Richardson

SECRETARY Steve Farbrace

SUNDAY TEAM COACH Reece Trythall

1ST TEAM MANAGER Ian Wallace

VETERANS TEAM MANAGER Steve Farbrace

1ST TEAM ASSISTANT MANAGER Liam Morris

U18 YOUTH TEAM MANAGER Russell Wilson

1ST TEAM COACH Tom Hickman

U18 YOUTH TEAM COACHES Andrew Weatherley Andy Walker

CLUB OFFICIALS

CHAIRMAN Colin Holden

WOMENS TEAM MANAGER Steph Meek WOMENS TEAM COACHES Paige Godden Andy Long RESERVE TEAM MANAGER Elliot Austin

U16 YOUTH TEAM MANAGER James Wells MEDIA MANAGER Russel Goldsmith CLUB OPERATIONS OFFICER Liam Taylor

RESERVE TEAM ASSISTANT MANAGER James Elms

MEMBERS OF: SOUTHERN COUNTIES EAST FOOTBALL LEAGUE

THANET SUNDAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

KENT COUNTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

LEN MARTIN THANET & DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

CANTERBUTY & DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

KENT YOUTH LEAGUE

SOUTH EAST COUNTIES WOMENS FOOTBALL LEAGUE

FAVERSHAM & DISTRICT YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE

FROM THE CHAIR COLIN HOLDEN

CLUB CHAIRMAN Well, that went quickly, didn’t it? It doesn’t seem long ago that we were here at Hartsdown Park for the final game of the season – a day of mixed emotions, where a hint of regret at having already missed out on the KCFL league title mixed with the pride of once again seeing our team comfortably finish in the promotion zone for the fourth season in a row. Since then, of course, we’ve had the news that we are promoted to the Southern Counties East Football League, as the club reaches Step 6 of the national system for the first time in our history.

When you look back at where this club has come from, achieving multiple promotions over the last ten years is nothing short of historic, and it’s a testament to the hard work of players, coaches, committee members and volunteers. We don’t intend to sit back and admire the view for too long, though, and I know that Ian, his assistants and the players are looking forward to testing themselves at this higher level.

On the pitch, we’ve welcomed some new faces into the first-team squad over the summer – you’ll get to know them soon enough as the season unfolds, and you’ll no doubt spot the new names on the squad list on the back cover. On the touchline, Ian and Liam now also have Tom Hickman supporting them as a coach. We’ve known Tom for many years through his involvement in local football, education, coaching and facilities management – another multi-tasker at the club, and we look forward to his contribution both on the training pitch and on the committee.

Off the pitch, the committee has also grown a little.

I’m pleased to welcome Gary Beckett as our new Vice Chairman, and Liam Taylor joins as a committee member. Both bring energy and fresh ideas, and we’re grateful to have them involved.

Our Reserves Manager, Elliot Austin, has welcomed the arrival of James Elms as his assistant, as they look to continue managing the pathway of younger players through the ranks, and hopefully push for first-team opportunities.

We’re also excited to launch a new Sunday adult team this season, as we continue to provide further opportunities for football across all levels in East Kent. It has been many years since we had Sunday representation in the Thanet Leagues – as far back as when I appeared on a Sunday for the club!

Elsewhere, it’s been fantastic to see the progression of players moving up from our youth setup into the adult teams – a real sign that the pathway at this club is working, and long may it continue.

To our visitors today — welcome to Hartsdown Park.

Croydon FC, “the Trams,” arrive in Margate with a history stretching back to 1953, and it’s been a story of real highs and hard-fought recoveries along the way, including their best-ever league finish of fourth in the Premier Division back in 1986. Under management duo Ryan Watts and Alex White, they’ve reached successive play-off semi-finals in 2025 and 2026, so they arrive as a side very much on the up.

We hope you enjoy your time here and have a safe journey home.

Finally, thank you to everyone heading to Hartsdown Park for the start of another season. It’s another step forward in our history, and we’re grateful to have you here with us for the journey.

Have a great afternoon.

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FROM THE BOSS IAN WALLACE

1ST TEAM MANAGER

Good afternoon and welcome to today’s fixture against Croydon FC in what is our very first game in the SCEFL Division 1. A warm welcome to the players, staff, and travelling supporters who have made the journey to be with us today. Our opponents arrive with plenty of experience at this level, having been in the SCEFL Division 1 since 2019 and coming off a strong 5th-place finish last season.

Today marks a truly momentous occasion in the history of Minster FC. Standing here about to embark on our first-ever Step 6 league fixture is something everyone connected with this club should be immensely proud of. To truly appreciate the scale of today, you only have to look at where we started: just 12 years ago, we were a club running a single team in the Canterbury & District Football League Division 2. From those beginnings, to finishing 2nd, 4th, 2nd, and 2nd over four tough seasons in the Kent County League Premier Division, the journey has required sheer perseverance, grit, and belief from everyone involved.

Year after year, this group kept pushing, showing up, and knocking on the door until we finally earned our place at this level. That promotion came because of immense hard work both on and off the pitch to ensure we were genuinely ready for the step up.

The work hasn’t stopped over the summer. Pre-season has been intense and sharp, with the group putting in a serious amount of work. The new additions who have joined our playing group have settled in brilliantly, adding fresh quality and energy to a squad that already possesses a tremendous work ethic. It’s also fantastic to welcome new additions to our coaching staff and off-field officials, all of whom strengthen our setup as the club continues to grow, develop, and structure itself for the demands of Step 6 football.

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That growth extends far beyond the first team. As a whole club, we are genuinely excited for the campaign ahead across all our setups. We look forward to seeing our Reserves and 1911 sides build on their foundations, along with our rapidly growing number of youth teams who represent the future of Minster FC. We are equally excited for the season ahead for our Vets, our Women’s team, and our brand new Sunday team.

Watching the club expand into new areas while providing football for so many age groups and abilities is something that fills us all with immense pride.

As we step into the SCEFL Division 1, we do so with genuine excitement for the challenge ahead. We know the size of the test at this level, but we are certainly not daunted by it. We will approach this new league the only way we know how—with our usual hard work, character, and the strong culture that defines this football club. We are not here simply to make up the numbers; we are here to compete, to perform, and to build on the high standards we’ve set ourselves across every level of the club.

What makes this period even more extraordinary is that today is just the start of a monumental week for us. Next weekend sees us welcome Southern Combination League Division 1 side Dial Square FC here for our first-ever fixture in the FA Vase. To be competing in a national cup competition for the first time in our history is a massive milestone, and it serves as a powerful reminder of how far we have progressed together both on and off the pitch.

Moments like this also give us a chance to reflect on our roots. As we take these historic steps onto a national stage, it is humbling to think about all the previous custodians, former players, managers, and committee members who laid the foundations of Minster FC over the decades. I know how deeply proud those previous incumbents would be to see this club playing at Step 6, competing in the FA Vase, and thriving as a true cornerstone of our community. Everything we achieve today is built on their legacy, and we carry that pride forward with us. At its heart, football should always be enjoyable.

While it inevitably brings expectations, it also provides unmatched moments of joy, and it is so important that we enjoy this challenge together this season and savour those special moments that are sure to come along the way.

Finally, to our supporters—thank you. You have been with us through every step of this journey over the last few years. As we step into this exciting new chapter together, your support is as vital as ever. I hope you enjoy the game today, thank you for your continued support, and let’s look forward to what promises to be a memorable week ahead.

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OUR MAIN SPONSORS

Founded by lifelong friends Lawrence Rose and Elliot Payne, ARTO is already a global leader in life sciences talent solutions, dedicated to helping Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, and MedTech companies secure the people they need to drive innovation and growth.

With a focus on providing bespoke, high-impact talent strategies across Europe and America, they partner with leading organisations to meet their staffing

Tradefit4U are a family run company with a name synonymous with local football. Father and son duo Tony and Jayme Wisker are both very well known in Thanet Football – Tony often having battled with Minster FC on the pitch during the 80s and 90s.

Jayme played for some of the all-conquering Thanet Sunday League sides in his time and along with his brothers Danny (former Margate, Whitstable & Herne Bay) and Kyle (US Scholarships and Whitstable) it is clear that football has always run deep in the Wisker family.

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needs through an efficient, flexible, and insight-driven approach.

Elliot is no stranger to the football club having played for them as part of his introduction into adult football.

He would go onto play in the KCFL for East Kent College Bears under our 1 Team assistant manager, Liam Morris. Elliot is also a registered player for the Minster Old Boys (Vets) side.

Tradefit4U work alongside some of the best manufactures of UPVC, aluminium, composite and timber products to supply and fit guttering, windows, doors and conservatories.

Working in both the domestic and commercial sectors and based in Manston, Tradefit4U are well positioned to serve Thanet and the South East of England.

Shapes is a dynamic Canterbury-based firm combining digital accounting and creative marketing under one roof. Founded in 2023 by Jim Leeves (chartered accountant and Xero expert) and Steve Kreeger (UX strategist and storyteller), the team crafts tailored solutions for small businesses in the UK. Their services cover ‘Better Accounting’ - tax, forecasting, digital finance systems - and creative ‘Shapes Marketing’, offering branding, websites, graphic design, video, and digital strategy. With values of simplicity, integrity, transparency, energy, and space, they aim to bring freedom, relief, and delight to clients.

Twenty 4 Seven Education is a fast growing UK education recruitment agency with offices in London, Manchester, Canterbury and beyond. Founded by experienced education professionals, the agency prioritises honesty, transparency and individualised care for both schools and candidates.

They place teachers, teaching assistants, SEN specialists and support staff in permanent, fixed‑term and supply roles across primary, secondary and special schools. Their Teaching Assistant Academy offers a two‑week training course for newcomers.

With a friendly, responsive team and strong candidate feedback, Twenty 4 Seven feels supportive, professional and genuinely invested in helping educators thrive.

Shapes feels friendly, values-driven, and imaginatively practical - a local partner that makes running a business feel effortless and inspired.

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HISTORY OF THE TRAMS Croydon Amateurs FC was founded on 17th April 1953 at the behest of the County Borough of Croydon to provide senior amateur football at the newly built Croydon Sports Arena. And whilst the idea for a senior club carrying the town’s name had been mooted prior to the war, nothing had become of the suggestion and the catalyst proved to be the laying of the running track and the need for the football pitch to be used.

At the inaugural meeting, Jack Milsted was elected Chairman and George Burrows Secretary, a strong partnership for the first twenty-years. At the time, the club had nothing, its initial funding being by way of public donations.

At the eleventh hour, the Surrey Senior League found itself with a space to fill and this enabled the fledgling club to have somewhere to compete and a decade was spent in that competition.

The club was ambitious and after its annual rejection by the Corinthian League, 1963-64 saw elevation to the Spartan League where it won its first Championship. The original clubhouse was also erected during this season, having been obtained from a local building site.

The extended Athenian League gave them the opportunity of further advancement in 1964 and the Division Two title won in 1966. Four years later, there was relegation followed by two successive runnersup spots which meant Premier Division football. But manager Jimmy Rose who masterminded those two seasons departed to Dulwich and the team broke up.

A season of struggle followed and then the Isthmian started to expand although the club missed out on the first intake at a time when clubs could openly pay their players. With the impending end of amateur status, the club dropped its suffix during the summer of 1973.

Ted Shepherd took over as manager, introduced a much more professional attitude and thus began one of the club’s most successful decades. 1974 saw election to the Isthmian League and in 1975-76, the team went undefeated in the league to gain promotion to the top table.

Shepherd’s decade saw four final appearances in the League, London Senior and Surrey Senior Cups, winning the latter in 1982. 1979-80 saw the club’s best run in the FA Cup, losing to Millwall in a Second Round replay at The Den.

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1953-2026

Shepherd was succeeded by Barrie Webb for the 1984-85 campaign and then Adrian Hill (1985-87) who took the club to its highest ever League position – fourth in the Premier Division – in 1986.

It was at this time that finances took a turn for the worse, money – or rather the lack of it – was the root cause and seven seasons of struggle ensued. Matters weren’t helped when the local authority decided to redevelop the Arena, forcibly exiling the club and causing a massive loss in revenue.

Founder Chairman Milsted, together with two of the Club’s other elder statesmen, Alf Haylock and President Charles Waters retired in 1990, and the three years that followed under new management culminated in the club’s name being dragged through the gutter with no stability either on or off the field. Five Chairmen and eleven team managers, mounting debts and threats of closure are ample evidence of that.

The nadir of the mismanagement was 1993-94 but in stepped local businessman, Ken Jarvie at the eleventh hour. Phoenix Sun, his Thornton Heath League side, stepped up nine levels of football to keep the Club’s name alive. Jarvie’s arrival sparked one of the club’s most successful periods but there was a financial cost.

He tended to do things his own way which caused some friction but he inspired loyalty He led the club to promotion from Division Two in 1996 and a nineteen-match unbeaten run at the beginning of 2000 saw Croydon storm to their first league title since 1966. In addition, the club reached its first cup finals since 1982. Defeat against Woking in the Surrey Senior Cup was forgotten the following day with victory over Purfleet in the Full Members Cup. The club survived two seasons back in the Premier Division winning the London Senior Cup in the process but budget cuts led to the loss of a number of quality players and relegation followed a year later. Jarvie stepped down during the summer of 2003 and 2004 saw Dickson Gill take over and to unsuccessfully try to combine the roles of Chairman and manager. It didn’t work and the club continued to struggle and was duly relegated to Division Two in April 2005.

Money remained an ever-present problem and 2006 saw a season of consolidation and being placed in the Kent League in the FA led reorganisation of the non-League game.

A third-place finish in its inaugural campaign was the best. Matters stagnated and regressed, the one on-field success being in 2009 when the Kent League Cup and Charity Shield found their way west across the county border. There followed a short spell in the Combined Counties FL before being forced back to the newly re-titled SCEFL. Having cried wolf on numerous occasions, Gill eventually resigned in January 2017 and left a void which eventually filled. Linking with Kinetic, the club began to move forward again under new Chairman Martin Burr. But his was only to be a short reign and having tidied things up, stepped down.

A fifth-place finish augured well for the following campaign but then in May, manager Harry Hudson succumbed to the advances of Whyteleafe who apparently made him “an offer he couldn’t refuse” and he disappeared with virtually all of the first team putting the club back to square one.

His initial replacement for 2018-19 was Craig Davies who had his work cut out but the challenge appeared insurmountable and after seven league defeats on the spin had left the club adrift of the pack, he fell on his sword.

Chris Brown took on the mantle and whilst he achieved two league wins, the annus horribilis showed no sign of coming to an end. Miracle worker John Cumberbatch, who took over when Gill left two years earlier had a short spell back in charge before Liam and Trevor Giles took over with a damage limitation exercise and a mandate to prepare for the future.

And just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse, the clubhouse was twice burgled and a lot of needless damaged caused including the week before the season and a painting weekend saw a further raid with more senseless damage caused.

The management intend that the Club should live within its means, not chasing fool’s gold with unsustainable big budgets without the income to sustain such goals.

There is a connection with the Kinetic organisation and the club’s youth team comes from there. They played in the Isthmian Youth League in 2018-19 and won their division last time out and were runners-up in the Champions of Champions Cup.

However, the senior team’s relegation meant that they were deemed no longer suitable for the Isthmian and moved to the Combined Counties Youth competition.

And despite that, they reached the Third Round Proper of the FA Youth Cup in 2019 where they succumbed to Wigan Athletic.

Reintroduced in 2019 was Croydon Women’s FC after the hostile takeover by Charlton in 2000 which had been aided by placing a trojan horse within the camp.

They played their maiden year in the Surrey Women’s & Girls League u18 division, moved to the Greater London Women’s League and then transferred to the South East Counties WFL where they now reside. But there’s no chance of them emulating their predecessors due to the megabucks being paid by the Premier League clubs. It will, however, hopefully regain the community involvement which had been lost over the previous eighteen years.

Covid was just another hurdle to be overcome.

The club found itself barred from the Arena by the bankrupt local authority who have racked up massive debts with little idea of how to clear them.

Two first team home fixtures in 2020 were played at Glebe and the Crystal Palace NRC but 2021 saw the club back on home turf. A bright start last season faded as the vultures picked off some vital parts and there was a very disappointing run-in. Liam Giles fell on his sword and was replaced by Tyler Chambers, formerly with Merstham u23.

A seismic shift to use former youth and development players didn’t have the desired result and following a board meeting, Chambers resigned. Giles returned with some of his former players and the initial results of the amalgamation of old and new were encouraging leading to two losing County semi-finals in 22-23.

A poor start to 23-24 but the club forced its way into the mix but dropped too many silly points which blew its chances of a play-off place. But the London and Kent Senior Trophy finals were a bonus with the former finding its way to Albert Road.

Giles moved on to be replaced by Antonio Gonnella who soon departed as the club wouldn’t accede to his budgetary demands and after a brief hiatus, Trams appointed Ryan Watts and Alex White reaching successive play-off semi-finals in 2025 and 2026.

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THE CENTRE

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TWO FURTHER CUP DRAWS HAVE BEEN MADE DATES ARE TO BE CONFIRMED SCEFL Division One Cup, 2nd Round: Rochester United FC or Sheppey Sports FC v Minster FC SCEFL Challenge Cup: Lydd Town FC v Minster FC

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FIRST TEAM SCEFL - DIVISION 1 POS

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SATURDAY 8TH AUGUST SCEFL FIRST DIVISION

Bridon Ropes v Staplehurst Monarchs FC Elmstead v Lydd Town Halls v Hythe Town Lordswood v Banstead Athletic Minster v Croydon Rochester United v Welling Town Sheppey Sports v Lewisham Borough Tooting Bec v Greenways

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RESERVES TEAM KCFL - DIVISION 2 C&E POS

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THE KCFL DIVISION 2 C&E SEASON COMMENCES ON THE 22ND AUGUST 2026

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1911 TEAM CDFL - DIVISION 1 POS

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THE CDFL DIVISION 1 SEASON COMMENCES ON THE 6TH SEPTEMBER 2026

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WOMENS TEAM SECWFL - DIVISION 2 POS

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THE SECWFL KENT DIVISION 2 SEASON COMMENCES ON THE 6TH SEPTEMBER 2026

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WELCOME TO MINSTER FC You will have seen from the club crest that we are over 100 years old with only World Wars getting in the way of continued existence – a matter not taken lightly as club players and staff fought for their country during these difficult times. The club photos in our Minster pavilion main hall reminds us of our history and the generations of players that have represented our club.

Throughout these years there have been successful teams – most notably in the 1960s – that have played the game in the right spirit and have set the foundations for future generations to continue. A difficult time in the early 1980s saw the club – with only a single team at the time - almost fail to finish a season in the Thanet League due to lack of players and support.

My father Ralph (also known locally as Colin) stepped in to gather as many eligible youngsters – including myself – to register and play those final matches to keep the club alive. The results didn’t matter – there was a much larger motive to keep the continuity of the club. For us 16/17 year old lads at the time we were finally playing for Minster – a team we had watched from the sidelines for many years. The following seasons saw the club continue to build from the very bottom upwards.

Our club has now grown very quickly in these last 12-13 years as we have built on the success of a very young team – managed by Ian Wallace - that have progressed through the Canterbury & District League and further into the Kent County Football League to the Premier Division where we consolidated our standing with 2nd, 4th, 2nd and 2nd places across those 4 seasons. This has now led us to be accepted for promotion to the Southern Counties east Football League Division 1 as we start an historic 2026/27 season playing at Step 6 of the national system for the first time. This is the highest level the club has competed at since it was formed in 1911 and we are proud to have reached this moment.

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1956

2016 We now have three further adult teams that have been added in the last 6 years and we have seen our club develop a pathway for young players within the area to progress with their football. Our veterans team continue to enjoy their football in the local Len Martin Thanet & District League. We now have two youth teams at U16 & U18 age groups and our previous youth teams have provided players into our adults squads over the years as the pathway has started to take shape. Last season the club developed a women’s football team for the first time since the 1960s when Minster were one of the original female teams in the area.

Whilst we have had good fortune on the pitch these last few years backed by a huge amount of effort away from match days, we continue to be a club that see long term friendships and a sense of community spirit as being the real “winning.”

A village team that will continue to use football to build competitive spirit alongside friendships that will last a lifetime.

SPONSORS & COMMUNITY Padfield Master Thatchers is once again proud to become a Minster FC matchday sponsor.

Based in Minster, the company is run by Mark Padfield, a traditionally trained Master Thatcher with over 30 years in the craft, having served his apprenticeship under a sixth-generation thatcher.

The team offers a comprehensive thatching service across Kent, Sussex and Surrey, from small repairs to full re-thatches, working confidently with listed and historic buildings.

They use traditional materials including long straw, water reed, combed wheat reed and heather, with at least 90% organically grown.

Services also cover emergency repairs, fireproofing advice, ridging, roof surveys, chimney rebuilds and structural repairs.

As members of the National Society of Master Thatchers, their reputation stretches well beyond the county, with projects completed across the UK and further afield. A great example of local craftsmanship backing local football.

CLUB SPONSORS & COMMUNITY PROJECTS

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ZERO TOLERANCE

The Southern Counties East Football League strongly support recent FA statements that there should be a zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination, accordingly any form of discriminatory abuse whether it be based on race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, faith, age, ability or any other form of abuse will be reported to the relevant County Association for action by that Association.

SWEARING - LET’S TACKLE IT The Southern Counties East Football League supports the ‘Swearing – Let’s Tackle It’ campaign and strongly condemns the use of foul and abusive language at football matches

WE VALUE YOUR FEEDBACK! QR e e h t har n a Sc e & S ughts Cod r Tho You

YOUR INPUT HELPS US IMPROVE OUR CLUB AND YOUR MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE

SCEFL SOUTHERN COUNTIES EAST FOOTBALL LEAGUE

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SOUTHERN COUNTIES EAST FOOTBALL LEAGUE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ITRUST

PHOTOGRAPHER

CADAN BOYNTON

“Cadan Boynton is a young photographer from Thanet, whose work is starting to catch the eye of local football clubs and media outlets such as Kent Online. Football is his main focus, but his talent stretches across other sports too. We’re always happy to welcome him pitchside at Minster FC on matchdays as we head into the new season.”

@CADANBOYNTONPHOTOGRAPHY

MATCHDAY SQUADS MANAGEMENT COLOURS Ian Wallace Amber Liam Morris Black Tom Hickman Black

COLOURS Light Blue Navy Navy

MAGNUS LEWIS (GK) DANE BOUGH (GK) BOBBY HULME CHARLIE SHARP CURT JORDAN DAN ADAMS DARCY CHURCHWARD FIN WADDELL HARRY HOBDAY JAKE COLTHAM-LAI JAKE MUNDAY JOHN ARGYRIDES JOSH NEAVES LEWIS RAY MATT WEATHERLEY OLLIE HARRIS SCOTT BANKS TIM MCARTHUR TODD JORDAN TOM COYNE (C) ZACK JOBE

MANAGEMENT Alex White Ryan Watts

CEMAL OSMAN (GK) ALEX ARIF ALFIE CLARK ALFIE ELDRIDGE CAMERON MACMILLAN CHARLIE DALE GEORGE PALMER JACK WHITE JOE FREEMAN KIERAN RUFUS (C) LIAM CORMACK RAMON ELLIOTT RED JENKINS REGGIE RYE RONNIE SUTTIE TED DWYER TOD BAMBER TOM BARTON TOM FRIEND TOM WALTERS ZAK LOVERIDGE

MATCH OFFICIALS

ASSISTANT 1 Jacob Fairfax

REFEREE Jeff Davis

ASSISTANT 2 Dylan Burrows

NEXT MATCH

HOME FA VASE - 7:30KO

15TH AUGUST 2026 VS DIAL SQUARE FC