Larkfield & New Hythe FC
LARKFIELD & NEW HYTHE FC
| CLUB NAME | Larkfield & New Hythe |
| CHAIRMAN | John Michel |
| CLUB / FIXTURE SECRETARY | Daz Bloor
darenbloor@hotmail.com |
| PROGRAMME EDITOR | John Michel
john.michel@sky.com |
| JOINT MANAGERS | Tony Reid |
| MIDWEEK FIXTURES | Tuesday |
| u23s MANAGER | Kian Wilkins |
| u23s FIXTURES | Thursday |
| CLUB WEBSITE | larkfieldandnewhythefc.co.uk |
| HOME KIT | Yellow and Black |
| GOALKEEPER HOME | Pink |
| AWAY KIT | Claret and Blue |
| GOALKEEPER AWAY | Green |
| PITCH DIMENSIONS | 64m x 100m |
Ground Name and Directions
Eden Estates Stadium, 251a New Hythe Lane, Larkfield, Kent, ME20 6PU
Just off the M20
Larkfield & New Hythe FC – A Short History
Larkfield & New Hythe FC was formed in 1961 and moved to its current home in 1967. A major milestone came in 2012 when the senior club merged with Larkfield FC Youth, creating a thriving community club with a clear pathway from youth football through to the first team. The club was awarded FA Charter Community Club status in 2015 in recognition of its commitment to grassroots football.
The men’s first team joined the Kent County League in 1996 and spent many seasons building towards promotion. Their first major silverware arrived in 2016 when they lifted the Les Leckie Cup, before earning promotion to Division One of the Kent County League in 2020.
With ambitious plans both on and off the pitch, the club invested heavily in its facilities, adding floodlights, seating and covered standing to meet Southern Counties East Football League requirements. Promotion to the SCEFL First Division followed in 2022, and the Larks quickly established themselves as promotion contenders, reaching successive play-offs and enjoying their best-ever FA Vase run by reaching the Third Round Proper.
The breakthrough came in 2023/24 when, under Danny Lye and Michael Phillips, Larkfield & New Hythe finished second before defeating Staplehurst Monarchs 1-0 in the play-off final in front of a record crowd of 835 to secure promotion to the Premier Division.
The club adapted superbly to life at Step 5. Their first Premier Division campaign included a memorable FA Cup debut, reaching the First Qualifying Round Replay against Cray Wanderers, before the season was capped by lifting the Kent Senior Trophy with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Whitstable Town at the Gallagher Stadium.
Building on that success, Fraser Walker and Tony Reid guided the Larks to a club-record fourth-place finish in 2025/26 before narrowly missing out on promotion following defeat to Rusthall in the play-off semi-finals. Walker has since departed, leaving Tony Reid in sole charge as the club looks to continue its impressive rise during the 2026/27 season.
Off the pitch, the future is equally exciting. Plans are in place for a new stadium less than a mile from the current ground, featuring a 3G stadium pitch, training facilities, a 250-seat stand and a modern clubhouse, subject to planning approval.
Club History
1961 – Larkfield & New Hythe Wanderers formed and played in the Maidstone and District Saturday League
1967 – Purchased land in Larkfield (still the current ground)
1976 – Larkfield FC Youth formed
1996 – Joined Kent County League; clubhouse extended and first floodlights installed
2004 – Awarded Charter Standard
2012 – Larkfield & New Hythe FC and Larkfield FC Youth merged
2014 – Ladies section formed
2015 – Won Maidstone District Cup; awarded Charter Community Standard
2016 – Won Kent League Les Leckie Cup
2020 – Promoted to Kent County League Division 1
2021 – New floodlights and stands installed; promoted to SCEFL Division 1
2022 – Finished 3rd in SCEFL Division 1; lost playoff final
2023 – Finished 5th in SCEFL Division 1; lost in playoffs; best ever FA Vase run (to Round 3)
2024 – Finished 2nd in SCEFL Division 1; promoted via playoffs; reached final of Division 1 Cup
2025 – Finished 10th in first SCEFL Premier Division; won Kent Senior Trophy (3-2 vs Whitstable Town); best FA Cup run to 1st qualifying round
2026 – Finished 4th in the SCEFL Premier Division. Lost to Rusthall in the play-off semi finals.
