Football Focus Issue 81 | Page 82

Staplehurst Monarchs FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/FOOTYFOCUSMAG Staplehurst Monarchs FOOTBALL CLUB Football began in Staplehurst in 1893 when Iden Rovers became founder members of the Maidstone and District Saturday League in which the Club competed with varying degrees of success for 108 years. Most notably in 1993, their centenary, when both the First and Reserve teams completed their respective league and cup doubles, a feat unprecedented in the League’s history. Ambition saw them join the Kent County League in Division Three West in 2001, but having to play their home games on King George’s Field at Loose to meet ground criteria. Re-organisation then took them into Division Two East which they duly won in 2006, forcing them to move yet again to the Old County Ground in West Malling to compete in Division One East. They also achieved Charter Standard and Intermediate Status at this time. After seven seasons on the road the Club finally returned to the Village in 2009 with the completion of the funded Jubilee Field Pavilion which meets all current and next step criteria. The following season the First Team were promoted to the Premier Division courtesy of restructuring. The Club also officially merged with the successful Junior Section to become Staplehurst Monarchs United, and was running two Senior and fourteen Junior Teams. Headquarters: The Kings Head, High Street, Staplehurst, Kent. TN12 0AR Home Ground: Jubilee Sports Field, Headcorn Road, Staplehurst, Kent. TN12 0DS First Team Staff: Player Manager Luke Wallond, Assistant Manager Ada Lacey, Coach Mark Pickup, Goalkeeper Coach Peter Matthews. Reserve Team Staff: Manager Jack Peach, Assistant Managers Scott Penfold and Tyler Conrad. 82 Issue 81 Headline Sponsors: Green Box Recycling Kent Ltd