CHARTHAM SPORTS CLUB

Prior to the birth of Chartham Sports Club, football and cricket was played in Chartham under the names of a number of different teams like: Nickle ( the farm), Chartham Hatch, Chartham Young Men’s Club, Mystole, Shalmsford Street Old Boys and Chartham Asylum at St. Augustine’s Hospital were very strong at both football and cricket, up until the early 1940’s Chartham Paper Mill had a cricket team.

Then on the 14th May 1946 at a meeting at the Kings Head Public House, then situated on the surrounds of the village green, it was proposed and seconded that the name of the then football team called “Shalmsford Street Old Boys”, be altered to something more in keeping with the village.
After some considerable discussion and various suggestions, it was agreed to rename the club “CHARTHAM SPORTS CLUB” with the aim to promote the opportunities for the people of the village to play football and cricket.

In July 1946 it is recorded that the 1st and reserve football teams were entered into the Canterbury and District League and to this year 2005 are proud to have put out two teams every year since 1946 being successful in most competitions over these past 59 years. Over the years the club has had a under 16’s and 18’s who both played in the East Kent Minor League ( East Kent Youth League ) and now runs mini soccer from under 7’s and under 8’s who play in the East Kent Youth League and since 1970 has run a Sunday side in the Herne Bay and Whitstable League.

Cricket has also been played since the club was re named and with a very high standard of players during the 50’s 60’s and 70’s and joined the Brett Cricket League in 1970, but in 1995 the team stopped playing through the lack of player, the reason being that most had got married and had to move out of the village due to very high house prices.
But in 2004 and with the development of St. Augustine’s Hospital there was enough interest to form the cricket team and cricket was played again (all games away) and with the help of the Parish Council getting a lease on the old St. Augustine’s pitch and with a new pavilion going up this year, cricket will be played in Chartham after a 10 year break.

Over the years we have held our monthly committee meetings at various locations The Railway Tavern ( next to station ), The Kings Head ( next to village green ), The Cross Keys ( bolts hill ), all three properties are now houses, The Mill Social Club ( the new village hall ) and now The Artichoke with Colin and Jill Robson as our host.

During the past 59 years there have been many people who have devoted their time to the success of Chartham Sports Club in providing future generations the opportunity of playing football and cricket in Chartham. Some have been honoured by being made Honorary Life Members some presented with retiring gifts and others you could not honour enough , to list all would be unkind to any one!