As the Kent FA focuses on the season ahead, DFDS, the Official Kent County Cups Partner for the adult competitions, has exciting plans afoot for the Kent football community.

Last season, in the first year of the partnership, DFDS sponsored 13 adult County Cup competitions which were enjoyed by 742 teams and over 7,600 spectators at the finals. Colleagues from DFDS supported the competitions through filmed cup draws, attended Kent FA events, joined our awards judging panel, and supported the teams on Cup Final Day.

So what does the 2023/24 season look like for this partnership?

The focus continues to be on Kent's prestigious County Cup competitions; however, this year,  DFDS is also a Community Investment Partner for Kent Green United, a Kent FA-led green initiative for grassroots clubs to make a positive impact on their local environments which is aligned to their climate action plan. There will also be some fun and games, so watch this space.

DFDS Dover is one of the busiest channel crossings in the UK, with over 54 daily channel crossings supporting millions of passengers a year to enjoy their travels. DFDS employs over 200 people in Kent alone, and many DFDS colleagues already participate in grassroots football, either as players, volunteers or spectators. They understand the power of football to do good in their communities, which makes this shared vision so exciting.

Darryl Haden, Kent FA's Chief Executive, comments, "We have been blown away by the support of the DFDS last season. Their love and passion for the football communities in Kent have shone through, and it has been a privilege to welcome them into our Kent football family. For the 2023/24 season, we have several exciting activities planned for County Cups, Kent Green United, and the Kent grassroots football community, so make sure you keep an eye on our website and social media pages. It's going to be a fantastic season."

Christine Burke, Partnership Manager at DFDS, comments, "DFDS are truly excited for the upcoming season. As the World's Leading Ferry Operator for the last ten years, we understand the value of building strong local engagement across our route network. With a climate action plan in place across our fleet, we strive to build a greener and more diverse workforce for all.

We look forward to supporting the Kent clubs who sign up for Kent Green United and the County Cup competitions as they progress. We look forward to another successful season with the Kent FA and grassroots football clubs.

For more information about Kent FA's partnerships, please get in touch with Claire.Whybrew@KentFA.com

As part of the partnership, DFDS provides exciting travel opportunities and fantastic discounts for our Kent grassroots football community. Click the image below to find out more.