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Kent Maids
Kent won their senior status in 1952 and survived their debut season among the elite by the skin of their teeth, finishing one point clear of the demoted teams.
After a debut season at RAF Manston, the American deployment there forced a relocation, with the team setting up camp for 1954 at the Dreamland Roller Rink in Margate.
Arena: Dreamland Roller Skating Rink, Margate {Capacity 1,000}
Previous - RAF Manston {1953}
Colours: Black
Coach: Dora Manfield {1953-1954}
Honours: None
Most Appearances: 16 Betty Page, Hilda Wells,
Joanna Rumney, Josephine Groves, Jane Rye, Veronica Braid
& Dorothy Wallace {all 1953}
Most Goals: 9 Dorothy Wallace {1953}
In a Season: 9 Dorothy Wallace {1953}
In a Game: 2 Veronica Braid 3-2 at Tamar 11th April 1953 & Dorothy Wallace 3-2 vs Birmingham 3rd October 1953
Oldest player: Betty Page {38 years 221 Days at Liverpool 21st November 1953}
Youngest player: Jane Rye {19 years 72 days vs Essex 21st March 1953}
Record Victory: 3-2 at Tamar 11th April 1953 & vs Birmingham 3rd October 1953
Record Defeat: 1-8 at Middlesex 19th September 1953
Record Attendance: 643 vs Middlesex {25th April 1953}
Best position: 10th of 12 1953 {only season so far
Club anthem: We Come 1 {2002}
Previous anthems
Correct up to January 1st 1954
Mary Lonsdale
Shooter {Rated 1}
Age 28 {12/03/29}
Born: Rome, Italy
New Signing
Previous Club: Middlesex
Apps 11
Goals 3
Supergrid Champion 1952
Half English Mary came to England in her childhood and was a bit part actress in the 40s. Joined Middlesex in 1950 but was restricted in her opportunities behind Ellen McKeown but did deputise for her in Supergrid 1952. Struggled for goals and left for Kent this season. Married 1952 to actor Laurence Greville.
Veronica Braid
Attacker {Rated 1}
Age 24 {12/03/29}
Born: Canterbury, Kent, England
Apps 16 {1953}
Goals 3 {1953}
Born Veronica Mary Blake to an English father French mother, she was educated in Paris and Married stage actor Grey Braid in 1952. Another ever present from Kent's debut 1953 season.
Jane Rye
Centre {Rated 1}
Age 19 {26/12/25}
Born: Bromley, Kent, England
Apps 16 {1953}
Goals 1
Won the Miss Kent Beauty Contest in 1952 before joining the Maids as an ever present Centre in 1953.
Olwen Hunn
Left Guard {Rated 1}
Age 29 {27/01/24}
Born: Chatham, Kent, England
Apps 1 Sub {1953}
Brought up in the church through her Caribbean-Welsh ancestry, she sang in Clubs in London in the 40s before joining the Maids in 1952. Came on as a sub to make her debut in Kent's record 1-8 defeat at Middlesex in September 1953. Pre season performances suggest she may be preferred to Hilda Wells in the number 2 shirt this coming season.
Dorothy Wallace
Shooter {Rated 0}
Career High {1 - 1953}
Age 31 {30/12/22}
Born: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Apps 16 {1953}
Goals 9 {1953}
Came to the UK as a nightclub singer in 1951 but her Basketball playing past in the States was picked up by the Maids. Her goals were vital in their survival in their debut 1953 season. Is credited as the first Black player to play Elite Gridball but at 31 there are concerns that her best season is behind her.
Josephine Groves
Sweeper {Rated 0}
Age 28 {26/12/25}
Born: Folkstone, Kent, England
Apps 16 {1953}
Trained in Ballet and has danced in theatre and in a couple of films prior to her Gridball debut in 1953. Went on to be ever present in that first season.
Joanna Rumney
Right Guard {Rated 0}
Age 21 {06/03/32}
Born: Canterbury, Kent, England
Apps 16 {1953}
Goals 3 {1953}
The shop girl and former lift attendant who was ever present in Kent's successful bid to retain their senior status in 1953.
June 1954
Hilda Wells
Left Guard {Rated 0}
Age 24 {26/11/29}
Born: Northfleet, Kent, England
Apps 16 {1953}
Hilda {nee Churchill} Had an acting career in small roles in sixteen movies between 1947-1951 before accepting a contract as a placeholder player for Kent in 1953. Married cameraman Reginald Treacher in 1945 but divorced in 1947. Married choreographer Peter Wells in 1952
Dora Manfield
Coach {Rated 0}
Age 30 {02/02/23}
Born: Blundelsands, Liverpool, England
Playing Career:
Liverpool
Apps: 7 {1951}
Manfield was a nightclub singer during the war who once turned down an opportunity to sing with Glenn Miller's band. Played in the 1951 season for the Liverpool Liverbirds before taking over as Kent coach in 1952, guiding them to promotion to Elite Gridball at the first attempt that season.
Retired Players
Betty Page {1915-1964} - Netminder - Apps 16 {1953} - Was the oldest player to take the court for Kent when playing in the final game of the 1953 season. Page retired from Gridball at the end of the season. Passed away aged 49 in 1964 from breast cancer.