MFC PROG 2526-02 CUX by tracecreative

minster

minster football club

CLUBOFFICIALS

Chairman

Colin Holden

Secretary

Steve Farbrace

1stTeamManager

Ian Wallace

1stTeamAssistantManager

Liam Morris

ReserveTeamManager

Elliot Austin

3rdTeam(1911)Manager

Laine Burrett

3rdTeam(1911)AssistantManager

Phil Stevens

WomensTeamManager

Steph Meeks

WomensTeamAssistantManager

Andy Long

VeteransTeamManager

Steve Farbrace

U18KYLYouthTeamManager

Russell Wilson

U16FDYFLYouthTeamManager

Nelson Were

U16EKYFLYouthTeamManager

James Wells

U15FDYFLYouthTeamManager

James Wells

MEMBERSOF

Kent & County Football League

Canterbury & District Football League

South East Counties Womens Football League Len Martin Thanet & District Football League

Youth League East Kent Youth Football League

Faversham & District Youth Football League

“Cadan’s a young photographer from Thanet who knows how to catch the magic in a match. Football’s his first

but point his

from the chair

We welcome you all to Hartsdown Park on what is hopefully a sunny Bank Holiday Monday in Margate today – we head to the end of summer but as a club we are now approaching “full steam ahead” with the first team and reserves a few games into their seasons. Our 1911 team have a couple of weeks to wait for their start.

We welcome Adam and Frans along with their Cuxton squad who have travelled to Thanet this afternoon from the Medway area. We share many similarities with Cuxton having had some solid seasons in the Premier Division for the last few years and we are two of just a few clubs who have shown ambition to seek promotion from the KCFL. This is one of the reasons we are here today at Hartsdown Park following our ground share agreement with Margate FC and Cuxton have also reached a similar arrangement with Maidstone United FC to play their home ties at The Gallagher Stadium. With Cuxton finishing in 3 place last season they are also well placed to make a push for SCEFL – hopefully along with us – come the end of this season.

We also welcome our referee James to the centre circle along with his assistants Peter and Mark running the lines.

One of the difficulties of a Bank Holiday home match is the need to get the programme to the printers for the previous Friday and enter some sort of time-tunnel regarding recent games ! … so we will not have the results of this Saturday’s matches in print. Our first team have had a good start with 2 wins and a draw to date and face an away tie to newly promoted Kings Hill. Our Reserves have had a win and a defeat so far and are away to relegated Borden Village on Saturday in what will be a tough battle.

Stepping out of the Tardis and looking ahead … it has been encouraging to see many new faces at our training sessions and pre-season friendlies for all 3 of our adults teams. As a club we are mindful of players reasons for not returning to Minster and often a common factor is due to universities and work placements. Regardless of players reasons for leaving, I always hope the player continues with their football journey wherever they play – often the phrase is along the lines of “we would rather you play for Minster but just enjoy playing football wherever that might be”.

Wehopeyouenjoythegameandagoodfinish totheBankHolidayweekend.

Photo : NELSONWERE

from the boss

Good afternoon all and Welcome! We welcome you to Hartsdown Park today for our second game at our new home following a positive start to the new season. I would like to welcome Cuxton’s players, staff and officials to the ground this afternoon and wish them the best for the season ahead, we know they have similar ambitions to us, and I am sure they will have a good season. Cuxton have started the season with 2 wins, a loss and a draw so a solid start as they adapt to life at their new home of the Gallagher Stadium in Maidstone.

This is our fifth league game of the season for us, at the time of writing our result away to Kings Hill on Saturday is not known but we are hopeful that this will have added to the positive start to the season. A 4-1 victory on the opening day against Bexley was pleasing, a performance of intent against a strong opponent. First half goals from debutants Jake Munday and Scott Banks set us up well but Bexley pulled a goal back just before half time and then had good spells of pressure but which we saw out resolutely. Ollie Harris then restored our lead and added to it with two late goals to see him off and running for the season following his success last term and achieving the golden boot in the league. It is always pleasing to start the season with a win and reinforces the good work of pre pre-season.

This was followed by a trip to a much-changed Sporting Club Thamesmead Reserves. The majority of their team from last year seem to have graduated to the first team and we faced a dynamic and youthful team. The conceding of a very early goal presented a challenge, but Jake Munday was able to convert from close range to even up the scores midway through the half. The remainder of the game saw Thamesmead present a threat on the counter attack but the vast majority of the game was controlled by us with many chances and good positions coming and going without us being able to add to the scoreline. A frustrating result in many ways despite a good performance but we would leave London with a point on the board.

Photo : NELSONWERE

This was followed by one of those ‘do you remember when’ games away at Canterbury City who have entered the KCFL following voluntary relegation last year. Canterbury City are a club of stature and historical significance in the local area, there are good people at the club trying to do things the right way, it was also interesting to see a few familiar faces as their recruitment over the summer has seen them take on a few players previously of Minster. In the first half, whilst being relatively comfortable in the game, we never really hit the heights of our expectations. Despite the control we had and good positions, we found ourselves 20 down at the break and with a mountain to climb to retrieve a good result. The control of the first half became virtual domination of possession and territory in the second but as with Thamesmead, chances would keep passing us by. In the 70th minute good work down the left from Charlie Sharp saw him find Jake Munday to finish from close range. This seemed to further steel Canterbury's resolve however and their goalkeeper, a former Minster player, was having a night to remember. It was not until the 87th minute that Jack Hawkins was able to pounce on a loose ball and fire home for the equaliser. We felt this still left time for a winner and so it was in the 91st minute as an excellent team move saw Jack Hawkins start and finish the move by calmly slotting past the keeper to ensure a 2-goal deficit in the 70th minute had been turned into a win in the 92nd minute. An early season reminder of the drama that this brilliant game can bring and a fantastic example of the attitude of the group, the experienced players have seen it all before with Minster, the new additions now know the feeling and all players enjoyed the moment equally!

It has been pleasing on a personal level to be able to attend both of the reserves games so far this season and to assist Elliot with the match days preparations and games. I am very impressed by the quality of players, both young and experienced that we are attracting to the club, we must be doing something right! The groups showed great character and resilience to take an opening day 2-1 victory away from Cuxton’s reserves. This was followed by a 2-1 defeat to Ramsgate Athletic in a closely contested fixture that could easily have gone a different way. Our 1911 season starts next month, again with excitement over the sheer amount of good characters and players that we will see playing for the club.

Thankyouaseverforyoursupport,we areearlyoninaverylongseason andwehopetoseeyouregularly atHartsdownParkandtheRec, insupportofallofourteams!

Enjoythegame!

our main sponsors

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Elliot is no stranger to the football club having played for them as part of his introduction into adult football. He would go onto play in the KCFL for East Kent College Bears under our 1 Team assistant manager, Liam Morris. Elliot is also a registered player for the Minster Old Boys (Vets) side.

Tradefit4U are a family run company with a name synonymous with local football. Father and son duo Tony and Jayme Wisker

are both very well known in Thanet Football – Tony often having battled with Minster FC on the pitch during the 80s and 90s. Jayme played for some of the all-conquering Thanet Sunday League sides in his time and along with his brothers Danny (former Margate, Whitstable & Herne Bay) and Kyle (US Scholarships and Whitstable) it is clear that football has always run deep in the Wisker family.

Tradefit4U work alongside some of the best manufactures of UPVC, aluminium, composite and timber products to supply and fit guttering, windows, doors and conservatories.

Working in both the domestic and commercial sectors and based in Manston, Tradefit4U are well positioned to serve Thanet and the South East of England.

our club partners

Youngs Timber & Builders Merchants is a Kent‑based family‑run builders’ merchant operating from branches in Biddenden, Folkestone, and Dymchurch.

Founded in Kent, the business is led by a tight knit team passionate about supporting tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts alike. They stock high‑quality timber, building and plumbing supplies, fencing, decorating materials, landscaping products, cladding, roofing, doors, gates and workwear. With in house cutting and machining services, expert advice, free local delivery and a friendly, knowledgeable team, Youngs delivers professional reliability at local prices.

Shapes is a dynamic Canterbury-based firm combining digital accounting and creative marketing under one roof. Founded in 2023 by JimLeeves (chartered accountant and Xero expert) and SteveKreeger (UX strategist

and storyteller), the team crafts tailored solutions for small businesses in the UK. Their services cover ‘Better Accounting’ - tax, forecasting, digital finance systems - and creative ‘Shapes Marketing’, offering branding, websites, graphic design, video, and digital strategy. With values of simplicity, integrity, transparency, energy, and space, they aim to bring freedom, relief, and delight to clients. Shapes feels friendly, values-driven, and imaginatively practical - a local partner that makes running a business feel effortless and inspired.

Twenty4Seven Education is a fast growing UK education recruitment agency with offices in London, Manchester, Canterbury and beyond. Founded by experienced education professionals, the agency

prioritises honesty, transparency and individualised care for both schools and candidates. They place teachers, teaching assistants, SEN specialists and support staff in permanent, fixed term and supply roles across primary, secondary and special schools. Their Teaching Assistant Academy offers a two week training course for newcomers. With a friendly, responsive team and strong candidate feedback, Twenty4Seven feels supportive, professional and genuinely invested in helping educators thrive.

THEFINALSTATISTICS

THISSEASONWEARETEAMINGUPWITHTFMWHO WILLHOSTTHEDIGITALVERSIONSOFTHESE PROGRAMMESONLINE

“Thank you to Russel and the Thanet Football Magazine team for your ongoing support—not just for our club, but for the entire local football community.”

ColinHolden Minster FC Chairman

Photo : NELSONWERE

first team

1911 team

Canterbury&DistrictFootballLeague PREMIERDIVISION

FinalLeagueTable2024/24Season

CDFLDIVISIONS

2025/26SEASON

PremierDivision Division1

Betteshanger Welfare FC

Cinque Ports FC

Deal Town Rangers FC

Faversham Athletic FC

MinsterFC1911

University Of Kent FC

Wingham FC

Woodnesborough Athletic FC

Baypoint FC Reserves

Betteshanger Welfare FC Res

Chilham FC Reserves

Rising Stars FC

Sandwich Town FC

University of Kent Monument FC

welcome to minster fc

You will have seen from the club crest that we are over 100 years old with only World Wars getting in the way of continued existence – a matter not taken lightly as club players and staff fought for their country during these difficult times. If you get a chance take a look at the club photos at our pavilion main hall that reminds us of our history and the generations of players that have represented our club.

Throughout these years there have been successful teams – most notably in the 1960s – that have played the game in the right spirit and have set the foundations for future generations to continue. A difficult time in the early 1980s saw the club – with only a single team at the time - almost fail to finish a season in the Thanet League due to lack of players and support.

My father Ralph (also known locally as Colin) stepped in to gather as many eligible youngsters – including myself – to register and play those final matches to keep the club alive. The results didn’t matter – there was a much larger motive to keep the continuity of the club. For us 16/17 year old lads at the time we were finally playing for Minster – a team we had watched from the sidelines for many years. The following seasons saw the club continue to build from the very bottom upwards.

Our club has now grown very quickly in these last 11-12 years as we have built on the success of a very young team – managed by Ian Wallace - that have progressed through the Canterbury & District League and further into the Kent County Football League to the Premier Division where we have consolidated our standing in this division. Two further adult teams were added in 2019/2020 and during these last 5 years we have seen our club develop a pathway for young players within the area to progress with their football. Our veterans team continue to enjoy their football in the local len Martin Thanet & District League. We are also really happy to now have four youth teams represent Minster from U15 to U18 age groups and our previous youth teams have provided players into our adults squads. This season also sees the club develop a women's football team for the first time since the 1960s when Minster were one of the original female teams in the area.

Whilst we have had good fortune on the pitch these last few years backed by a huge amount of effort away from match days, we continue to be a club that see long term friendships and a sense of community spirit as being the real “winning.”

Avillageteamthatwillcontinuetousefootballtobuild competitivespiritalongsidefriendships thatwilllastalifetime.

match action

An early season reminder of the drama that this brilliant game can bring and a fantastic example of the attitude of the group, the experienced players have seen it all before with Minster, the new additions now know the feeling and all players enjoyed the moment equally!