Players
from Maidstone Raiders – the club’s PAN disability
teams came to Bourne Park on Saturday afternoon to watch
the Kent derby against Folkestone Invicta and for a
special half time presentation.
The party included the Under 16 team which won the Premiership
Division of the Kent Junior PAN Disability Football
League in its inaugural season. In a dramatic season
they beat Charlton Athletic by one point to take the
title, winning 11, drawing two and losing three matches.
Stones chairman Paul Bowden-Brown presented the championship
trophy to Raiders captain Chris White.
It was a nervous end to the season. In the last six
games of the campaign they managed two wins, one draw
and two defeats. Raiders went into their last game of
the season knowing that a win would make them Champions
but they were held by Invicta Valliants. It was then
out of their hands.
It wasn’t until the presentation ceremony that
they found out they had won the league by that solitary
point.
Manager Tyke Harvey recalls he wasn’t sure and
went into the presentation not feeling confident at
all. “I was almost sure that we had slipped up
at the last hurdle, having been at the top of the table
all season, I was cursing our luck. It would have been
typical to lose it on the last game of the season!!”
However, the team were overjoyed at clinching the championship
and see their achievement as a springboard to developing
this key area of the club.
Head of Maidstone Raiders John Harvey adds: “It
was a fantastic season for all concerned with the Raiders
on the playing front. Thanks must go to Becky, Russ
and Tyke, along with Mike and Kyle, who have been coaching
most of the time during the season. It has been a great
help to me and the running of the Raiders teams this
season.
“The main objectives for this season are to maintain
the growing development of Maidstone Raiders FC, to
introduce a young adult section and develop team sponsors.”
When it launched in 2004 from its base at Bower Grove
School, Maidstone Raiders had 15 players – today
there are 40 aged between seven and 18 years.
There are four Raiders teams. Under 16s managed by Tyke
Harvey, Under 13s managed by Steve Nelson, Under 11s
managed by David Tracey and Under 9s managed by Phil
Hammett. They are assisted by a loyal team of coaches
– Russell Breden, Cheryl Cloude, Jackie Parks,
Kyle Parks, Samantha Stead and Becky Wood.
The club became an FA Ability Counts Club in 2005 –
the third non-professional club in the whole of the
English leagues to achieve this accolade. They were
invited by the FA to be involved with the production
of the FA DVD for Disability Good Practice and are developing
the young adult section to offer opportunities for 17
to 25 year olds.
Maidstone United chairman Paul Bowden-Brown commented:
“I would like to congratulate everyone involved
with the Raiders on their success so far. I am very
proud to have you as part of the club and look forward
to seeing your expansion and continued success. There
was a fantastic atmosphere at the match on Saturday,
initiated from those happy youngsters, They are one
of reasons why I and others are working hard to ensure
that Maidstone United return to their home town so that
the club can be a part of the local community."
Players
from Maidstone Raiders – the club’s PAN disability
teams came to Bourne Park on Saturday afternoon to watch
the Kent derby against Folkestone Invicta and for a
special half time presentation.
