About Canterbury Youth Football Club   KCFA Affiliation EYD00611

 

Sturry Blues JFC was formed in 1981 by Messer’s Bristley and Kelly to provide soccer for boys in the Sturry, Hersden and Herne areas. The teams played in two year brackets, i.e. 11 to 12 years, 13 to 14 years and 15 to 16 years competing in the East Kent Youth League, and playing the majority of their home matches at Chislet CW ground in Hersden.

 

Subsequently, Peter Graves and Dave and Christine Robinson took over the helm. In 1991 they invited Kevin Craddock to create a younger section of the club and under 7s, 8s, 9s and 10s teams were formed, thanks mainly to the sponsorship of the late Ian Hossick, then patron of the “First and Last” on Herne Common, who provided finance for team kit and equipment. Training under floodlights during the winter months at the University of Kent at Canterbury was introduced with specialist coaching from qualified FA coaches.

 

Tony Roberts was invited to take over as chairman in 1995. The club was producing many talented players, but with lack of an attached senior club who could offer them opportunity to play at Kent County Youth League level these lads were being tempted to clubs who could offer them this chance. It was disappointing to the clubs coaches who had dedicated a lot of time and effort in the coaching to see them leave to other local clubs. It was then agreed that an approach be made to Canterbury City FC who at that time played in the Kent League with the view to forming Canterbury City Youth FC. This was agreed after lengthy discussion, and enabled the team to join the Kent Youth League.

 

Sturry Blues JFC then provided mini soccer for under 6 to 11 boys and girls, and a Soccer school was formed at Polo farm which Kevin Craddock now operates each Friday evening 6-7pm, for young players of any ability.

 

The clubs have organised twelve annual summer tournaments when around sixty teams compete in a six aside competition across many age groups. This besides being a successful and very enjoyable soccer day also helps provide necessary income to help run the club.

 

The club has over the years played in Holland and in France , visiting Sturry’s twin town, Aire sur la Lys on day visits.

 

As a direct result of the re-introduction of Canterbury City FC in season 2007-08 the junior club held an EGM to discuss its future and the impact of the senior club on the junior one!  The privilege of fielding teams in the Valley Express League (VEL) that had been Canterbury Youth FC's would now pass back to Canterbury City FC after 11 years.  We had in fact kept the name of Canterbury City Football Club going through our youth teams for 7 years whilst there was no senior side. The club had operated under the names of Sturry Blues and Canterbury City Youth since 1996 and with the VEL teams now moving on it was decided we would play under the one club name and Canterbury Youth Football Club was chosen.  It was felt the club had grown from its original Sturry base all those years ago and that the name Canterbury reflects more fully the geographic area we embrace.

 

Brian Budd is the current Chairman of Canterbury Youth Football Club following the AGM in July 2008.

 

 

 

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