On my 64th birthday I have today officially announced my decision to step down from my duties as secretary of the Cray Valley (PM) Ladies senior team at the end of this season. I have reduced my involvement of late and I now think the time is right to make a complete break to free up my Sundays and the associated weekday hours the role brings. It got me feeling nostalgic and thinking about times past.

My first season involved in women’s adult football was 2003/04 with Kent Magpies. I travelled with then manager, driving force and founder of the club Tony Morphitis to North London where we lost the first game 6-2 against Philosophy Football. I recall we were basically not fit enough and punished in the last 15 minutes with no fresh legs to bring on from the bench. It was a painful introduction but we then went unbeaten in the league for fourteen games, winning thirteen. We lost the final two games that season 3-2 and 2-1 against champions Dynamo North London but finished runners up to earn promotion from the Greater London Regional Women’s Football League Division Four East. Two more promotions in successive seasons saw the team eventually play in the London & South East Regional Division One (London) where they remained until relegation occurred in season 2012/13. The most successful league seasons at the higher level were 2008/09 and 2009/10 when in both cases a third place finish was achieved. Entering the women’s FA Cup for the first time was a milestone, Kent Magpies losing at Eastbourne Borough. Oh and I drove the hired mini bus. Another time we toured Spain playing two matches, one of which I ended up as referee when the allocated official failed to turn up.

Following relegation Kent Magpies disbanded, the majority of the team morphed into London Corinthian Reserves playing under Adrian Hunt who had been manager of Kent Magpies reserves. They played in the South East Counties Womens League which was more Kent based. Home games were played at Badgers.

At the end of the second season at Badgers the team was re branded and played for the first time under the Cray Valley banner in season 2015/16. Eight seasons later and Cray Valley has seen two championships won including last year and promotion to tier six for the first time. It is fair to say that this season has been tough and despite the best efforts of everyone a real struggle. The standard in the higher league coupled with losing key players at different times was with hindsight a step too far. During those eight seasons we never quite got to win a final but being runners up in four cup finals all played at the Gallagher Stadium remains an achievement. Participation in the women’s FA Cup in the last two years another.

That’s 20 seasons in total although my involvement during the two seasons between Kent Magpies disbanding and playing under the new Cray Valley name was minimal as I took time out to re charge the batteries. I would say 18 out of the 20 seasons I have been involved in some capacity, parent, coach, manager, match reporter, volunteer running the line and almost every season throughout that time, administration. Admin has been my forte made possible by the enjoyment of the game itself.

Prior to that was 7 seasons in girls age groups U10 - U16 for Kent Magpies including overseas tours undertaken in Belgium and Holland twice. In the early days the club had teams at five different age groups which eventually evolved into two adult teams.

In those early days before the academies became more exclusive, young players were also able to play for Sunday teams. We had girls who went on to play for Arsenal, Millwall and Charlton among others. My daughters “strike” partner in the very early days went onto play for Chelsea and England in a World Cup.

Over the 27 seasons the following grounds have been played at as home venues. Oxford Road, Badgers, Club at Well Hall (formerly Woolwich Poly), The Oaks Eltham Town, Pippin Hall Eltham, Huntsman Lee Green. Thank you to the individuals who facilitated at the grounds and to the various league and match officials over the years.

This article is about my time in Women’s Football and for the most part it has been hugely enjoyable and I have got to meet and know some fantastic players and people. It hasn’t all been plain sailing and inevitably there are a few regrets along the way. Giving up my time on Sunday afternoons certainly isn’t one of them and I will miss it.

For a variety of reasons though I have decided to take a step back from the trials and tribulations at the end of this season. Thank you to the many that have been part of my wonderful experience and journey. Some of the players span many of those years, others made shorter contributions but all in their own way deserve the plaudits.

My Sundays next season will not be quite the same again, I welcome that! It is time to step away.

Yours in football, David Carter

The future of the Ladies team at Cray Valley (PM) is up for discussion and anyone interested in getting involved in any capacity please let me or the club know.