1919/20
Sidcup and Kent League Division 2 - Champions
Kent FA records show that Cray Valley Paper Mills FC was formed in 1919 and played in the new Sidcup and Kent league Division Two. The Millers first match was a 1-0 victory against Hamilton House FC on 20th September 1919 which was followed by their first away match against Sidcup Invicta, beating them 7-0. Cray went on to win the division in their first season and were promoted to Division One.

1920/21
Bromley & District League Division 1 - Champions
Kent Junior Cup - Winners
Bromley Charity Cup - Winners
plus
Cray won the KENT COUNTY JUNIOR CUP
Final: Cray Valley Paper Mills beat Sittingbourne Paper Mills 3-0

Divisional Semi Final: Cray Valley Paper Mills beat Cray Wanderers Reserves 5-0 and went on to play Mansion RAF in Divisional Semi Final (see extract below).

Extract from Thanet Advertiser Saturday 29th January 1921
"Having won the divisional final of the Kent Junior Cup Manston RAF play Cray Valley Paper Mills in the semi-final of the competition on February 26th. The airmen play a keen game and their success against Ramsgate “A” at Southwood last week shows that they are quite capable of holding their own in senior class football."

Cray Valley beat Manston RAF to reach the final.

Match Report
The East Kent Gazette Saturday April 2nd 1921
Kent Junior Cup Final - Easter Monday, 28th March 1921.
Cray Valley Paper Mills 3 v Sittingbourne Paper Mills 0
Goals: CV: S Young 2, W Salmon
Played at Northfleet, attendance 2,500 approx

Sittingbourne Paper Mills beaten by Cray Valley Paper Mills

The presence of two paper mill teams in the final of the Kent Junior Cup constituted a record in the competition and as one of the finalists happened to be the Sittingbourne Paper Mills FC their supporters had high hopes of the trophy coming to Sittingbourne. If events had turned out as Sittingbourne people hoped that would have set up another record for the Junior Cup has never come to Sittingbourne. The other team supplied by the paper making industry of Kent hailed from the Cray Valley Paper Mills and although the football team has been in existence but two years it has an excellent record. In the Junior Cup it worked its way to the final with a record of 22 goals for and eight against. Cray Valley head the Bromley and District League without having sustained a defeat and the team is also in the final of the Bromley Charity Cup. Sittingbourne Paper Mills scored 30 goals to eight in the Junior Cup competition and last season they won the New Brompton and District League Championship with an unbeaten record. It is a moot point whether the Sittingbourne Papermakers are as good a team this season as they were last year. But this much can be said: they were regarded as potential winners of the Kent Junior Cup. That they allowed themselves to be knocked out is a result for which they only have themselves to blame.

The final was played at Northfleet on the morning of Easter Monday and as the kick off was at the early hour of 10.30 it necessitated some early rising and travelling by the supporters of the respective teams before most holiday folk were about. Football is booming at Northfleet just now and it was a judicious stroke of policy on the part of K.C.F.A. to allocate this match to the cement making centre. Despite depression in the cement industry Northfleet supported the match well, and both teams had a good following, the Cray Valley team’s supporters being largely in the ascendant. The Sittingbourne team and supporters travelled in a couple of motor omnibuses and a few supporters made the journey by train. Other Sittingbourne supporters must have sprung up like people do from somewhere or other, for the red shirts seemed to have more support than was imagined: the support was of the quiet, subdued order, rather than the boisterous type of the Cray Valley people. It was a sixpenny “gate” and the receipts were a few shillings under £65, which represents well over 2,000 people - a decent record. The Northfleet Silver Band played instrumental selections before the match and during the interval.

The officials in charge of the match were Mr A E Kenneth (referee) and Sergt Downing and Mr H G Kirby (linesman). The teams were as follows:
Sittingbourne Paper Mills: C Peeper, C Saul and H Hawkes, F Williams, F Dove and G Barter, F Wood, F Harris, A Williams, E. Burton and A Black,
Cray Valley Paper Mills: J Barrow, H Young and T Hayes, A Banks, W Morris and D Stevens, A Rose, W Salmon, J Smith, S Young and W Wallis.

There was a fresh cross-wind blowing and the sun was shining when the Sittingbourne team won the toss and had the sun behind them, which was a manifest advantage. It was 10.35 when the Cray Valley team (who were garbed in green) started the ball and Sittingbourne got busy on the right wing but sent the ball out of play. The Cray Valley team swung the ball about and were very sharp and nippy. A long ball out to the right wing of Cray and a centre from their threatened danger but Hawkes cleared. Encouraged by this attack the Cray forwards were very active and bothered the Sittingbourne defence, which was by no means convincing. The red shirts could not shake off their opponents and it was not until one of the Cray forwards transgressed the offside rule that the siege was raised. The Sittingbourne forwards then took play to the other end with a nice passing run, but the effort came to nothing. Cray Valley swooped down towards the Sittingbourne goal and forced a corner, which was well taken. Pepper fisted the ball away but only partially cleared and the nibble forwards swarming round were too quick for the backs, for a quick shot from S Young sent the ball into the back of the net, so that 16 minutes from the start Cray Valley were one up.

This reverse roused the Sittingbourne team from their lethargy - for they had been taking matters too easily - and in an attack F Williams with a well aimed shot, nearly beat the Cray Valley goalkeeper, but although the sun was shining full on him Barrow caught the ball and popped it round the post for a corner. The flag kick was not improved upon and from the goal kick a long pass out to Wallis saw that winger sprint away and force a corner but the ball was sent behind. The Sittingbourne forwards gave a taste of their combination by taking the ball prettily to the other end, only (as so often happened) to misjudge the strength of the wind and send the ball out of play. When the Cray Valley forwards attacked they were always the more dangerous; there was more sting about their work, more determination and they took a lot of stopping. At length the Sittingbourne forwards got away in line and Black receiving a pass sprinted along the touch line, beat the back and put in a glorious centre all along the ground; but to the dismay of their supporters, both the centre forward and inside-right missed it and when the ball was sent up the field Dove, in returning it sent it out of play. It was Sittingbourne’s best chance of the match and had it been turned to account it might have altered the run of the game. Quick as thought the Cray Valley forwards dashed to the other end. Rose sprinted down the right wing and centred and with a first time shot S Young again sent the ball into the net - a fine piece of work.

Two goals behind the Sittingbourne team put more determination into their work and from a corner well taken by Black the goalkeeper caught the ball, dodged Harris and cleared. Again the ball was put out to Black who swung it over to Wood and the outside-right swerved in and aimed deliberately for the mark, but sent the ball just over the bar. No luck attended an attack on the Sittingbourne right, for Wood’s centre was taken by A Williams who put in a lobbing shot but the wind carried the ball just over. Sittingbourne were having more of the game now, but although pressing they could find no weak spot in the defence. This could not be said of the Sittingbourne defence, which was shaky under pressure. After a spell of attacking by Cray Valley took up the running again and F Williams with a good shot sent the ball into the goalkeeper’s hands. The danger was cleared but the Reds came again and Dove put in a shot, which the right back jumped up to and turned the ball - as the spectators thought - into the net. But, no; the active goalkeeper caught the ball and the offside against Harris brought relief. Wood ran down and forced a corner, which was well taken but the ball was sent out of play, and then came the interval, Sittingbourne being still two goals down.

The second half started with a fresh ball and the wind was refreshing although the sun was now obscured by clouds. Sittingbourne led off with an attack and in stopping an opponent Hawkes was injured and had to be assisted off; but he returned in about five minutes. The Cray Valley backs did not hesitate to kick out when in danger and this and the action of the wind brought about a lot of touchline play that was not interesting. At length Black got through and sent across one of his dangerous centres but the ball was cleared. Cray Valley counter attacked and Wallis put in a splendid shot from the touchline which Pepper saved well - a performance that was repeated a few minutes later. The Sittingbourne fight wing seldom came into the picture this half. Once Wood did get away and passed to Harris but his partner lost the ball and the back cleared. Sittingbourne’s attacks were straggling, which means that the Cray Valley halves were too smart for them. After a spell of play in the Cray Valley half the game veered to the other end where Pepper had to be on his qui vive. Two long shots at the Sittingbourne goal by Hayes, the left back, had to be watched and Pepper saved the first one well, while the second shot sent the ball over. Cray Valley were getting on top again as the game drew on and in one attack Pepper brought off a fine save with opponents all around him. The pressure was relieved and Wood got in another sprint and passed to Harris who sent the ball across the goal mouth and out of play, the left wing forwards not being up in time to turn the opening to account.

A few minutes before the end Cray Valley pressed again and picking up a pass Salmon with a left foot shot dispatched the ball onto the left hand corner of the goal, well beyond Pepper’s reach. This gave Cray Valley a three-goals’ lead - and the cup. They nearly added to this lead the next minute for Pepper had come out to save when the ball was shot against the foot of the upright and rolled across the open goal, until Hawkes dropped back and kicked it from almost off the line. This was the last exciting feature of the match, for the end was signalled, leaving Cray Valley winners of the cup on their merits by 3-0.

All through the Cray Valley lads played crisper football than the losers and made the most of their opponents. Although the Sittingbourne players are more experienced they let the Cray Valley lads hustle them clean off their form. At no time did the red shirts shape like winners and their display was a disappointment to their supporters who had looked for better things. It was a fast sporting game and the better team won.

The cup and medals were presented to the winners by Miss E Fehr, one of the daughters of Mr Frank Fehr OBE President of the K.C.F.A who, with Mrs and Miss Fehr occupied seats in the stand. Miss Fehr handed the medals to the runners-up, the Sittingbourne team. Miss E Fehr was introduced by Mr J B Lingham and this young lady in a gracious little speech expressed her pleasure at the hearty reception she had received. The Kent President congratulated both teams on the fine, sporting spirit in which the match had been played. One of the officials of the winning team and Mr Jones on behalf of the Sittingbourne team, respectively thanked the President and after more cheers the crowd dispersed.

SEASON 1921/22 & 1922/23
Research appears to suggest that Cray Valley Paper Mills joined the South London Alliance League prior to moving to the Kent Amateur League Western Section for season 1923/24.

Extract from non league matters forum.

"...The same season 1922/23 Woolwich Polytechnic were in the announced constitution for the South London Football Alliance, with the Bromley District Times stating that "Metrogas, Bostall Heath and Bromley have resigned" and " ... Tooting Town, who were elected at the General Meeting, but have since resigned". Also named were "Erith & Belvedere (formerly known as Belvedere)." Although not specifically stated, most of these would appear to be the reserve teams though. The rest of the constitution comprised Artillery College, Bexley Heath Town, Crayford Albion, Creek Athletic, Cray Valley Paper Mills, Hall's (Dartford), Siemen's Sport Club, St. Francis Mission, Slades Green Loco, Lee United, Woolwich, Price's Athletic and Lessness Park. ..."

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