MFC PROG 2526-05 (digital TFM) by tracecreative

from the chair

Two home games in a row and the programme editing team have been putting in overtime.WelcometoHartsdownParkagain–thistimeslightlyearlieraswehavea Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield tie today against fellow Premier Division team Fleetdown United. I will not reminisce too much about the historic day back in May 2024whenweliftedthisshield–thebosshasafewwordsonthatoverthenextfew pages It is the most senior competition that our club has won and, in my opinion, thebest-lookingtrophythereisoutthereintermsofhistory,shapeandsize!

We welcome Terry and his Fleetdown squad who have travelled down from the Dartfordareathisafternoon.FleetdownUnitedhavebeenpartofthefurnitureinthe KCFL Premier Division for at least 10 years and so have consistently remained in the topflight. This season is proving a test for them so far but don’t bet against them turningitaround.

TodaywehaveAidenCooperinthemiddle–arefereewehaveknownfromhisvery early years officiating for our youth teams in the local leagues and through to our adultsteams.Wewishhimwellasheprogressesalongtherefereepathway.

As you may know from previous seasons, I work with Project Talking Football on most Monday evenings at the Minster Astro Pitch, where we providefreefootballsessionsdesignedtosupport individuals coping with mental health challenges. This Minster FC Community Project is still going strong and is now supported both financially and structurally by Rethink Mental Illness – a national organisationthatgathersgroupsandassistswith funding and administrative support This Monday our Regional Coordinator visited us for a leader meetingandtoalsoexperiencethesession.Itwas great to have a new set of eyes on the project and to receive some positive feedback and encouragement based upon her visit. Occasionally we all need that confirmation that we are doing the right thing along with a fresh idea or two – and the boost that it gave the PTF teamandplayerswasnotable.

Inasimilarwayourmainfootballprojectisalsotickingalongnicely We nowhaveall9teamsupandrunningwithplentyofplayersallenjoying theirfootball–aswellassomehugepotentialforthefuturewith somanyyoungstersnowinbothourmen’sandwomen’ssquads.

I’mblowingthetrumpetagain!

Thankyouforcomingalongandwehopeyouhaveagreat afternoon–let’shopeforsomemoregoals.

from the boss

pressurewouldconvertintogoals.Acornerfrom Ollie Harris was turned into his own net by the Meridiancenterbackandonegoalwouldquickly become two A fine passing move involving multiple players ended with the ball at John Argyridesfeetwhoswepthomeforhisfourthof the season. Ollie Harris lobbed the keeper after escapingthedefensivelinefornumberthreeand TomCoyneconvertedaCharlieSharpcorner,a fineheaderbackacrossgoalfornumberfour.A latepenaltywonbyOllieHarrisandtuckedaway byCurtJordanensuringthemarginofvictoryin theendreflectedourcontrolofthegame

The Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield is a competition we hold dear and one we return to today after a year away from it. Our victory in the final two years ago meant we entered the Kent Intermediate Trophy last season, we enjoyed a victory on penalties against Lydd Town, followed byalossonpenaltiestoBearstedFC,who currently sit in the playoff spots of the SCEFL Premier Division. The 2024 Final win on 11th May saw us lift the most senior trophyintheclubshistoryandisadaywe will always be proud of. The final was a tight affair against Halls AFC, who that season secured promotion to the SCEFL Division1.Theruntothatfinalhadseenus defeat Littlebourne, Long Lane and Hawkinge Town. John Argyrides scored a dramatic equaliser to make the score 1-1 before a scoreless extra time saw the game decided by penalties. Magnus Lewis would save three and Dan Adams would convert the winning penalty to spark a day of great celebrations. Fantastic memories for all involved with the club that day and a milestone in the historyofouroldclub.Dayslikethoseare hard earned and important to savour, they bring the community together in celebration and provide the moments that live with you for a lifetime. This team seeks to continue to build on this and other successes, the big successes are always the by-product of many small successes and a lot of hard work, togethernessandshared commitment.Itistooearlyin theseasontosayhowthis year 'sstorywillendbutwe knowwearecommittedand willenjoytheprocessof completingthejourney!

Wehopethatyouhaveanenjoyableafternoonhereat HartsdownParkandlookforwardtoseeingyouagainforour nexthomegameonTuesday28thOctober,whenwehost HawkingeTownintheleague.

our main sponsors

Founded by lifelong friends Lawrence Rose and ElliotPayne,ARTOisalreadyagloballeaderinlife sciences talent solutions, dedicated to helping Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, and MedTech companiessecurethepeopletheyneedtodrive innovationandgrowth.

With a focus on providing bespoke, high-impact talent strategies across Europe and America, they partner with leading organisations to meet their staffing needsthroughanefficient,flexible,andinsight-drivenapproach.

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 registeredplayerfortheMinsterOldBoys(Vets)side. st

Tradefit4U are a family run company with a name synonymous with local football. FatherandsonduoTonyandJaymeWisker

our club partners

Youngs Timber & Builders Merchants is a Kentbased familyrun builders’ merchant operating from branches in Biddenden, Folkestone,andDymchurch

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 Xeroexpert)andSteveKreeger(UXstrategist

Twenty4SevenEducation isafastgrowing UK education recruitment agency with offices in London, Manchester, Canterbury and beyond Founded by experienced educationprofessionals,theagency

and storyteller), the team crafts tailored solutions for small businesses in the UK Theirservicescover‘BetterAccounting’-tax,forecasting,digitalfinancesystems - 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 partnerthatmakesrunningabusinessfeeleffortlessandinspired. 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 genuinelyinvestedinhelpingeducatorsthrive.

first team

1911 team

Canterbury&DistrictFootballLeague PREMIERDIVISION

Saturday11.10.25

MinsterFC1911 CinquePortsFC BetteshangerWelfare v v v UniversityofKent WoodnesboroughRes FavershamAtheltic

Saturday10.10.25

MinsterFC1911 RisingStarsFC SandwichTownFC UniversityofKentFC WinghamFC

CinquePortsFC DealTownRangersFC WoodnesboroughFCRes BetteshangerFCRes ChilhamFCReserves

welcome to minster fc

Youwillhaveseenfromtheclubcrestthatweareover100yearsoldwithonlyWorld 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 ourhistoryandthegenerationsofplayersthathaverepresentedourclub

Throughouttheseyearstherehavebeensuccessful teams – most notably in the 1960s – that have playedthegameintherightspiritandhavesetthe foundations for future generations to continue A difficult time in the early 1980s saw the club – with onlyasingleteamatthetime-almostfailtofinish a season in the Thanet League due to lack of playersandsupport.

My father Ralph (also known locally as Colin) stepped in to gather as many eligible youngsters–includingmyself–toregisterand playthosefinalmatchestokeeptheclubalive.

The results didn’t matter – there was a much largermotivetokeepthecontinuityoftheclub.

For us 16/17 year old lads at the time we were finally playing for Minster – a team we had watchedfromthesidelinesformanyyears The following seasons saw the club continue to buildfromtheverybottomupwards.

Ourclubhasnowgrownveryquicklyintheselast11-12yearsaswehavebuiltonthe 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 yearswehaveseenourclubdevelopapathwayforyoungplayerswithintheareato progresswiththeirfootball.Ourveteransteamcontinuetoenjoytheirfootballinthe locallenMartinThanet&DistrictLeague.Wearealsoreallyhappytonowhavefour youth teams represent Minster from U15 to U18 age groups and our previous youth teamshaveprovidedplayersintoouradultssquads.Thisseasonalsosees theclubdevelopawomen'sfootballteamforthefirsttimesincethe1960s whenMinsterwereoneoftheoriginalfemaleteamsinthearea.

Whilstwehavehadgoodfortuneonthepitchtheselastfewyearsbacked byahugeamountofeffortawayfrommatchdays,wecontinuetobea clubthatseelongtermfriendshipsandasenseofcommunityspiritas beingthereal“winning.”

Avillageteamthatwillcontinuetousefootballtobuild competitivespiritalongsidefriendships thatwilllastalifetime.