BRIGHT TELLS CLUBS: DON'T BE SCARED OF ASKING FOR HELP IN TROUBLED TIMES - Medway Messenger - Mon 11th January 2010

Barry Bright is urging non league clubs in Kent not to overstretch themselves financially or be scared of asking for help if they suffer problems.

Folkestone Invicta are the latest team in the county to battle against administration, after being hit by a huge unpaid tax bill, following similar problems at Margate, while Maistone United and Ebbsfleet United are two others to be affected.

Speaking at the Topping Out ceremony on the latest stage in the construction of Kent County Football Association's new £1.2m new headquarters at Cobdown near Aylesford, chairman Mr Bright said: "It is not only a problem in Kent because more clubs nationwide are finding life extremely difficult. In my view, wages in non-league football are too high with some clubs only getting 150 through the gate and trying to pay for something that might not happen. The Inland Revenue are now seeking to make sure that pay-as-you-earn tax and national insurance contributions are paid and are not prepared to sit back and wait. There are not many white chargers around these days individually or collectively to come in and take on the debt. The KCFA always like to be here to help and the Football Association has also created a system for clubs to be advised and assisted."

New decade, new building, increased profile is Mr Bright's mantra for the Association as they move into the 21st century.

Finding a new home after 117 years in Maidstone Road, Chatham, wasn't easy, with the project set for completion in July 2010.

Piper Keith Jacobs played during the ceremony when Mr Bright donned a blue hard hat to climb onto a 15 foot platform and watched by board members and staff secure the last bolt on the final beam at snowy Cobdown, with planning consent already in place for a second building.

The appointment of new Communications Officer, former local TV journalist Lucy Majin, is another step forward for the KCFA, who have a story to tell as one of the most successful county bodies and described by FA Chairman Lord Triesman as "a beacon for grassroots football in the country."

Mr Bright, 62, vice-chairman of the FA, chairman of the Football Regulatory Authority and a member of the UEFA Appeals committee, admits football in Kent is his first love, having started in soccer administration at St George's Old Boys in Gravesend at the age of 16.

He used to stand on the terraces watching at Stonebridge Road and said: "Seeing Ebbsfleet bring the FA Trophy to Kent was a real high for me in the last 10 years. Dartford going back home with the help of the local council also showed me what can be achieved and i also still hope to see Maidstone return to the County Town before i leave the job. The appointment of full-time Referees Development Officer and Child Welfare Officer have been important, as has the involvement with Kent County Council, and local authorities."

Mr Bright added: "The Strategy Board led by former Chief Constable Sir David Phillips has also done a fantastic job and relationships with schools and the Kent Sports Development Unit are vital. Tesco are supporting youth football in the county, our Equality programme is one of the leaders in the field and huge work is being done in disability football and we have won awards for our work with deaf children."

Looking ahead, Mr Bright says he wants to oversee moving to the new building and the appointment of a new Chief Executive to succeed Keith Masters who retires next year, before thinking about his own future.

He said: "I worry about the loss of so many referees but yearn to see the next generation of the Volunteer Force, who week in, week out doing tremendous work for our clubs, much of it unseen and unpaid. I want to see the younger ones come along and challenge the likes of me and others saying 'you have had your day, now we'll take over.' Without them, we might as well pack up."