TWENTY-ONE years ago the Kent Youth League played their last representative match, at Bromley against Arsenal’s then celebrated band of youngsters, led by Tony Adams.

The young Gunners also included Martin Keown, Martin Hayes and Gus Caesar. All went on to play for the first team, while Adams skippered Arsenal and England.

Included in the Kent side was a young Andy Hessenthaler, later to play for and manage Gillingham, Pat Hilton, who played for Gillingham, and Paul Sawyer, now coach at Dartford.

On Wednesday, the now Valley Express sponsored Kent Youth League celebrate 25 years with a representative match against a Charlton Youth XI at Chatham’s Maidstone Road ground.

And again fans will be able to indulge in potential star-gazing in the hope of glimpsing future Premier League players.

The Kent Youth League is the brainchild of League chief executive Colin Boswell, who nurtured the idea through an uncertain start of one division containing eight teams.

It is now established among the finest competitions of its kind in the country boasting 127 teams.

He recalled: "It seems like only yesterday that we had Arsenal here and players like Tony Adams. We’ve come a long way since then, especially with our sponsorship by Charlton.

"So we’re looking forward to entertaining them and forging even closer ties."

The match kicks off at 7.30pm. Admission by ticket from Chatham costs £2, while on the day the price is £3. Children and senior citizens will be charged £2.

Valley Express Kent Youth League representative squad: Robin Clark (Maidstone United) Stuart Clark (Bearsted), Frank Fabeola (Erith & Belvedere), Lee Farrell (Chatham Town), Junior Farrell (Gravesend & Northfleet), Lewis Finbow (Sheppey United) Andy Foster (Maidstone United), Luke Hasler (Ramsgate), Nathan Jefferys (Ramsgate), Stuart King (Herne Bay), Luke Mortimer (Chatham), Soloman Pinnock (Dulwich Hamlet), Reece St Hilaire (Dartford), Billy Thurston (Welling ), Lee Warren (West Wickham), Tommy Youles (Dartford).

Players on standby: Jimmy Beauchamp (Gravesend & Northfleet) Danny Burke (Thamesmead Town), Steven Baines (Herne Bay), Luke Blanshard (Herne Bay), Max Clerck (Welling Unite), Adam Fisher (Gravesend & Northflee) Neil McCourt (Ramsgate), Matt Reeves (Maidstone United).