Benfleet United F.C. - Photos and Memorabilia

Captained Benfleet United F.C.

The memorabilia on this page relates to Mr Ronald Carpenter, a long time Benfleet resident, who recently died. Ronald’s sister Betty and her husband Kenneth Cockburn, have allowed us to reproduce the following photos on this site.

Ronald played for Benfleet United for many years and at some stage was made Captain.

Some programmes from the era when Ronald played for the club can be viewed on a further page.

The second photo below is titled Benfleet Raffin Cup Winners 1946. Benfleet played Thundersley and won 3-2.

Further down is a later photo of the team, date unknown.

At some time during Ronald’s captaincy of the team he received a “stern letter” (reproduced below) from the area Secretary of the Essex County Minor Football Association in respect of a misdemeanour during a match played in April 1948.  For ease of reading a transcription of the letter follows.

Transcription of the letter to Ronald Carpenter:

Elsco Juniors v Benfleet Y C 3rd April 1948

Dear Sir,

The Association have considered reports and evidence concerning incidents that led to the abandonment of the above game and I have to inform you that you failed to carry out your duties as captain insofar as you encouraged your team to leave the field instead of doing your utmost to uphold the authority of the referee and get the game completed. You are therefore fined the sum of 5/- and are warned that any similar failure in your duties will result in serious action.

The fine is payable to me within seven days of receipt of this notice.

Yours faithfully,

signed:  B R Baker