Kent clubs - List of Opening of Floodlight matches

[TonyDart]

As an added part of my research into the Kent Floodlight Cup/Trophy and derivatives (plus Hurst Electrical Floodlight Cup and Kent Lge Floodlight Cups) I am keen to include a list of the dates and opponents of the opening of floodlights at each club.
I have listed some of these here and if you can add to this list I would welcome hearing from you. Where clubs have moved grounds please list if they played an Opening of Lights match.

ASHFORD - Grand Opening Floodlight Game on Monday 19 October 1959 with First Division Chelsea the visitors. England forward and football legend Jimmy Greaves scored four goals in a 7–2 victory for the Londoners, with Ron Vigar and Gordon Burden netting for the home side.
BEXLEYHEATH & WELLING TOWN / BEXLEY UNITED - 12-10-1966 v West Ham Utd 1-8
BROMLEY - Floodlights were installed in 1960, and were formally switched on for a game between Japan's National Team and an Isthmian League XI on 27 September 1960.
CANTERBURY CITY -
CHATHAM -
CORINTHIAN - before 1992, switched on by Bobby Moore OBE
DARTFORD - v Chelsea 0-1 Oct 1963
DEAL TOWN - installed 1964; new April 2019
DOVER – v Chelsea 1-10-1961
ERITH & BELVEDERE -
FAVERSHAM TOWN - New before 2005/06 season
FOLKESTONE - Burnley entertained a full house at Cheriton Road to commemorate the Kent club’s new floodlight installation in 1959
GILLINGHAM - 1963
GRAVESEND & NORTHFLEET - The Gravesend Reporter 1st November 1952 reported: The scheme to install floodlights at the Stonebridge-road ground in now ready
GRAYS ATH - (who entered Kent Floodlight Cup - for Bridge Road 1967 ?
GREENWICH BOROUGH - 1978 v Charlton Athletic, set new attendance record of 2,000
HASTINGS UNITED -(who entered Kent Floodlight Cup)
HERNE BAY - 1992
HYTHE TOWN -
LORDSWOOD -
MAIDSTONE UNITED -
MARGATE – v opened 12th October 1959 v West Ham United. Hammers won 3-1 in front of 4,126
RAMSGATE – In November 1959 the Rams were visited by Everton to mark the official illumination of the newly installed floodlights – The Toffee’s won 7-1
SHEPPEY UNITED - Botany Road !962 new 2014
SITTINGBOURNE -
THAMESMEAD TOWN -
TONBRIDGE -
TUNBRIDGE WELLS UTD/RANGERS - Culverden Stadium 1992
VCD - June 2006
WHITSTABLE - 1989

Apologies if I have inadvertently left a club out

I would appreciate any information appertaining to these opening of lights matches and would also welcome images of the front cover of opening of floodlight programmes.
Thanks a lot
Tony

 

[TonyDart]

add to the above:
GRAVESEND & N - 8-1-1980 v Nottingham Forest - opening of new lights

 

[sweetmagee]

Not sure if it matters but Margate's first game using their newly installed lights was actually on 23.9.59 - a 4-1 win over Yiewsley. But you're right about West Ham being the official opening, hopefully I've managed to attach a scan of the programme cover for that one.
.

 

[dcuk]

Tonbridge FC installed floodlights at the Angel Ground in the summer of 1959, they were used for the first time against Sittingbourne for a Southern League Cup tie on Wednesday 2nd September 1959.

After moving to Longmead Stadium in 1980, floodlights were installed a year later and used for the first time for a league game against Dorchester Town on Tuesday 15th September 1981.

 

[TonyDart]

Tonbridge FC installed floodlights at the Angel Ground in the summer of 1959, they were used for the first time against Sittingbourne for a Southern League Cup tie on Wednesday 2nd September 1959.

After moving to Longmead Stadium in 1980, floodlights were installed a year later and used for the first time for a league game against Dorchester Town on Tuesday 15th September 1981.

 

[TonyDart]

Many thanks for your posting of the Tonbridge opening of lights information, much appreciated
Cheers, Tony

 

[TonyDart]

Not sure if it matters but Margate's first game using their newly installed lights was actually on 23.9.59 - a 4-1 win over Yiewsley. But you're right about West Ham being the official opening, hopefully I've managed to attach a scan of the programme cover for that one.
.

Many thanks for your posting re Margate Opening of Lights info plus prog image; much appreciated
Tony

 

[AndyE]

Chatham Town's floodlights were opened with a game v Gillingham on 19 Feb 1980. Gillingham won 3-1 before a crowd of at least 3,500 (Chatham claim more), while George Best was supposed to play for Chatham but arrived "unwell".

That set of lights lasted 37 years, and a brand new set were opened when Gillingham visited again on 18 Jul 2017. Gillingham won 12-0, which was a bit unsporting of them in a friendly!

 

[AlanB]

HYTHE TOWN - no official opening game, lights first used on 7 September 1988 in an FA Cup replay against Feltham.

 

[TonyDart]

Chatham Town's floodlights were opened with a game v Gillingham on 19 Feb 1980. Gillingham won 3-1 before a crowd of at least 3,500 (Chatham claim more), while George Best was supposed to play for Chatham but arrived "unwell".

That set of lights lasted 37 years, and a brand new set were opened when Gillingham visited again on 18 Jul 2017. Gillingham won 12-0, which was a bit unsporting of them in a friendly!

Thank you very much for posting Chatham's details, much appreciated, cheers Tony

 

[TonyDart]

HYTHE TOWN - no official opening game, lights first used on 7 September 1988 in an FA Cup replay against Feltham.

Thanks Alan for posting ther details regarding Hythe Town. Your help is much appreciated. Cheers, Tony

 

[John Roffey]

Hi Tony
Ashford Town switched on the floodlights at their new ground Homelands on 3.8.89.
Result; Ashford Town 2-3 West Ham United (att: 3214)

 

[Bagman]

SHEPPEY UNITED - new 2014

Sheppey United v Sutton Athletic (Kent Invicta League) 21 Jan 2015

Openning game for Floodlights

 

[Bagman]

SHEPPEY UNITED - new 2014

Sheppey United v Sutton Athletic (Kent Invicta League) 21 Jan 2015

Openning game for Floodlights

The game on 21 Jan 2015 was postponed
The new date was 24th March 2015 This was Sheppys first ever game under lights .

 

[TonyDart]

Hi Tony
Ashford Town switched on the floodlights at their new ground Homelands on 3.8.89.
Result; Ashford Town 2-3 West Ham United (att: 3214)

Thanks for that information. much appreciated, Tony

 

[TonyDart]

The game on 21 Jan 2015 was postponed
The new date was 24th March 2015 This was Sheppys first ever game under lights .

Thanks very much for your help, much appreciated, Tony

 

[TonyDart]

Chatham Town's floodlights were opened with a game v Gillingham on 19 Feb 1980. Gillingham won 3-1 before a crowd of at least 3,500 (Chatham claim more), while George Best was supposed to play for Chatham but arrived "unwell".

That set of lights lasted 37 years, and a brand new set were opened when Gillingham visited again on 18 Jul 2017. Gillingham won 12-0, which was a bit unsporting of them in a friendly!

Hi Andy, not sure if I ever thanked you for posting this info. Thank you and apologies if not replied before. Many thanks your help much appreciated. Cheers, Tony