Kent Invicta

Kent Invicta RLFC was formed by a local businessman, Paul Faires, and Jim Thompson, Maidstone United FC's chairman; Faires' desire to form the club was reported in October 1982.[1] The club was admitted to the Rugby Football League on 6 April 1983 and entered the Second Division; their application for membership reportedly received "overwhelming support".[2] Faires previously was involved with Radio Caroline and had played rugby union, having been privately educated, but became interested in rugby league after watching Fulham playing.[3] In the summer of 1983 the club signed Bob Mordell,[4] Mark Elia[5] and the veteran Ian Van Bellen.[6] The moniker "Invicta" (unvanquished) is the motto of Kent. The club colours consisted of a black shirt with an amber chevron, black shorts and black socks. The club played its first game at London Road, Maidstone, a ground it shared with Maidstone United.[7] It lost the game 31–12 against Cardiff City Blue Dragons.[8] On 5 November 1983 it was reported that acting chairman Jim Thompson had clinched a deal which would see the club out of its financial problems[9] and four days later it was considered to be in a good financial position and to have reached agreement with other clubs about its transfer debts.[10] The club continued to play competitively, despite its financial problems, and on 11 February 1984 its Challenge Cup tie against Castleford was televised live on the BBC's Grandstand.[11]

Following problems with waterlogging on the pitch at Maidstone, in the summer of 1984 the team became Southend Invicta, and started playing games at the Roots Hall Stadium in Southend.[12] The club colours changed to white shirts with a blue V, white shorts and white socks. Invicta were struck from the 1985-86 fixtures by the Rugby Football League because it was considered not to have formed a team.;[13] for its last home game against Huddersfield that spring, it had attracted a crowd of only 85 people.[14] The club went into liquidation soon afterwards.[15]