About us
The Kent Disability Football League, or KDFL for short, goes all the way back to 2005. The idea was to provide regular competitive playing opportunities for young players with a disability. Now we are an award winning league providing a safe and positive environment for children, teenagers and adults to play football.
Our history
Before
2005
Informal friendlies
A handful of teams play friendly games. This is often in one-off regional competitions across Kent.
2005
Discussions start - planning underway
Founder members of the league meet with the Kent FA, Kent County Council and the Parents Consortium.
The aim of the discussions was to create a new system of regular competitive playing opportunities for young players who have a disability.
The teams and individuals involved included:
- Charlton Athletic Ability Counts FC
- Invicta Valiants
- Larkfield
- Valance School
- Alan Milner, Parents Consortium
- Mike Bishop, Disability Officer, Kent County Council
- Paul Dolan, Disability Development Officer, Kent FA
After a while they were joined by John Harvey representing Bower Grove School.
2006
Approval from the FA
Kent FA sought agreement from the FA for the league due to the proposed 4 year age banding.
The FA approved the league as a pilot model.
2006
The first junior league season
- 1066
- Charlton Athletic Ability Counts FC
- Gillingham
- Invicta Valiants
- Larkfield Youth
- South Park
- St Margaret’s All Stars
- Swanscombe Tigers
2009
A pilot for adults
A new section for adults is established following a successful pilot.
The players are ability banded. This means that players of all abilities can play at an appropriate level based on their skill level and impairment.
2013
Our league committee runs the league
The league was originally run and administered by the Kent FA.
A new league committee was established to oversee all operations.
The committee included representatives from various clubs within the league with a close working relationship kept with the Kent FA.
2013
Mixed teams for the juniors
2014
Mixed teams for adults
Teams of mixed gender was trialled for all ages.
On Sunday 14 September 2014, 5 ladies took part in the first round of the adult season at The Abbey School Faversham.
2015
Award winning
The league were voted as:
- Charter Standard League of the year
- South East Region Charter Standard League of the year
2015
Partnership development
Developed partnerships with:
- Kent County Football League
- Kent Girls and Ladies Football League
- East Kent Football League
2019
Award winning
The league was voted grassroots league of the year in the Kent workforce awards.
2020
Registered charity status
2022
Award winning
The league was voted grassroots league of the year in the Kent workforce awards.