Barming Youth FC - September 1980

Starting in September of 1980 with a single side, Barming Youth have blossomed into now one of the leading junior football clubs in the Maidstone area, now with virtually 2 teams per age-group up to Under 14s, 3 girls teams, a nursery and adult side - its own web-site, regular playing tours both within the UK and ambitions to expand. All this has been due to the hard-work, fun and successes of the many players, parents, managers, officials and supporters who have built this Club over the past 25 years and its for these people that we are celebrating our Silver Jubilee today.

The origins of the Club came from boys who played some organised games for Barming Cubs early in 1980. Some Dad's got together to look into the possibility of forming a "real" football league team - this was the brainchild of Alan Welfare, together with support of Dave Williams, Pete Roberts and Dave Coupland.

To set up the Club, each of the boys parents were asked to donate £20, with two in particular, Brian Clifford & Stephen Greig sponsoring the first kits with Stephen Greig becoming the first clubs first President. After making a late application to the Maidstone Primary League, who unfortunately were full (nothing changes), Barming Youth were successful in joining the Medway League, as Under-11s in a tough Under-12 league. And so, in September 1980, the Club was born and played its first competitive match. The squad included: -

Michael Hands, Paul Howard, Michael Howard, Phil Coupland, Keith Morgan (now a golf professional), Nicky Greig, Andrew Clifford, Graham Williams (who designed the Clubs emblem that is still used today), Nigel Roberts, Trevor Roberts, Simon Bourne, Richard Welfare, Nigel Manser, Mark Manser.
 

Club History Continued