History of the LKB

LONDON & KENT BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE

lkbfootballleague.co.uk

THE HISTORY OF THE LEAGUE

The foundation stone of the league was laid by Ron Wiltshire in October 1963 together with two friends. Between them they managed to muster five teams. At the same time they decided that the name of the league shall be Delphis. A league badge was designed. This was a fish within a shield. Delphis being the ancient Greek word for fish.

September 1964 saw the League kick-off with 16 teams. The first game was played between Bellegrove Social FC and Jaystone FC ending in a 2-2 draw. Ron Wiltshire was given the honor of refereeing the first match.

The Committee was increased with the inclusion of Dennis Lappage and Terry Peters. Both were to have great influence on the making of the league. Dennis Lappage was appointed Referee Secretary and due to his hard work the referee panel increased to such an extent that more teams had to join the League to give the referees games. Terry Peters, then only 14 years old, was a whiz kid with monetary figures, and at the same time very diplomatic. He was given the task of dealing with the LFA, other leagues and local authorities. In 1965 Referee Secretary Dennis Lappage became the first LKB League Officer to be elected an LFA Councilor, a post he held until his death on 5th August 1989.

The following year Terry Peters was appointed League Treasurer. A post he held until 1969, when in that year he added League General Secretary to his Treasurer post. For their services to the League Dennis and Terry were made the first League Vice Presidents in 1969.

In 1970-71 for the first time a League representative team was entered in the LFA Inter League cup. We were the outsiders but won the first game 7-0 against the Southern Area League. The next round we beat the favorites Hackney & Leyton 2-l. In the semi-final we beat the Camden League 2-1. The final was drawn 0-0 after extra time with the Corinthian League. Domestic cup competitions in the League were increased from 16 to 17. At the end of the season it was decided to change the name of the League to London & Kent Border League as some of our teams were from the borders of Kent. With a change of name it was decided to change the League badge. The emblems of London and Kent were added to the existing badge.

From 1971-72 the League was increased to 120 teams, 10 divisions of 12 teams, 4 senior, 3 intermediate and 3 junior divisions. Due to ill health Ron Wiltshire relinquished his post of Chairman to Don Wooldridge.

By 1975 Ron had given up League work due to illness and Terry Peters was elected Active League President with Ron becoming League Life President. Michael Burke was in 1976 created the third League Vice President.

It was decided in 1979 to reduce the number of cup competitions from 17 to 5. Retaining only those for each of the three sections, the Reserves cup and the Mary Wiltshire Shield. The financial savings enabled the hiring of Dulwich Hamlet ground for all finals, and to have all cup finals programmes professionally printed. Edward Harris was elected a League Vice President. Dennis Lappage was in 1981 awarded the LFA Long Service medal for continuous service.

1981 saw Dennis Willis elected as League Vice President.

In 1982 Don Wooldridge gave up his post as Chairman and was succeeded by Michael Burke.

The League had its first sponsor in 1985. The Nationwide Anglia Building Society was granted the sponsorship of all cups. 1987 - 88 saw all our cup finals videoed by a professional company.

For services rendered to the League Ken Roostan, Eric Pye and Ian Wallis were each elected a League Vice President in 1989. In 1990 Terry Peters gave up his post as League President. He was succeeded by Michael Burke. In turn Ian Wallis replaced Michael Burke as League Chairman.

Our first cup final to be played on a professional ground was in 1992/93 when Centaurs beat Lesann Utd 4-2 in the final of the Senior Cup at The Valley, home of Charlton Athletic FC.

In recognition of 25 years honorary service in an active administration capacity for the League, the London FA awarded Michael Burke a long service award in 1995.

1994/9,5 saw the introduction of a Veterans Division and Bermondsey Old Boys were its first Champions.

Eltham Utd represented the league in the 1995-96 LFA Inter-League cup, beating the Woolwich and District League 1-0 in the final.