The Kent Senior Cup has been at the heart of competitive football in Kent throughout the years. Monday’s final between Dover Athletic and Ebbsfleet United gives us the opportunity to reflect on the competition’s illustrious and colourful history.

The Kent Senior Cup’s identity has evolved with the development of the game, reflected by the fact the format of the competition has changed several times over its 125 year history. The first ever round of the Kent Senior Cup took place on 16th October 1888 at the Sun Hotel in Chatham.

Originally, the Kent Senior Cup started as a knockout competition but this was discontinued from 1894 to 1897. During this period the Cup was automatically presented to the winner of the Kent League. The Kent Senior Cup returned to its original form in 1897-98.

The Kent Senior Cup didn’t take place from 1914-1918 because of the First World War. In the 1919-1920 season, a trophy presented to the Kent FA was named the Victory Cup and took the place of the Kent Senior Cup for a season. There’s only ever been one other season when the Kent Senior Cup has not been competed for and that was in 1941.

The Kent Senior Cup was traditionally held on Easter Mondays drawing crowds in their thousands. The largest crowd the Kent Senior Cup enjoyed was in 1952 when nearly 15,000 people watched today’s finalists Dover Athletic beat Dartford FC 2-0.

The Kent Senior Cup has enjoyed a high profile in the county throughout its 125 years. One particular highlight was in 1925 when the semi-final between Northfleet United and Grays Thurrock was filmed and shown in the Gem Cinema in Gravesend for the whole of the following week. Furthermore, the 1963-64 Third Round draw was made live on television.

And whilst the introduction of the FA Trophy and later the FA Vase in the 1960s has reduced the focus on the county cup competition, its history and prestige places it at the heart of the Kent FA County Cup final programme and will continue to do as Kent football flourishes.

The competition’s unique history means the Blue Ribbon of Kent football has been bestowed on a variety of clubs over the years, not to mention giving bragging rights for the winner over all their county rivals. Maidstone United has won the Kent Senior Cup more than any other team, lifting the cup on an outstanding total of 18 occasions.

Meanwhile, Northfleet United, better known today as finalists Ebbsfleet United, achieved a record five successive victories in the 1920s.

The competition has welcomed well-established teams from all over the county, including Woolwich Arsenal (better known nowadays as Arsenal), Charlton Athletic and Gillingham FC. Alongside the Football League sides, the Kent Senior Cup has welcomed some more unusual sides, including Short Shortsports to papermakers Lloyds.

As a result, the Kent Senior Cup’s roots have remained firmly within the county. Over the 125 years the competition has been running, just one final has been held outside of the county, in 1997 when Bromley defeated Dover Athletic at Millwall FC’s Den.

Monday’s final will provide yet another showcase of football within the county. The Kent County Football Association would like to wish both teams the best of luck for Monday and would also like to congratulate the Match Officials for being honoured with this prestigious County Cup final appointment as recognition for their exceptional performances this season.      

Most of all the Kent FA hopes that the 125^th Kent Senior Cup final is an enjoyable experience for everyone.

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