Larkfield & New Hythe FC
LARKFIELD & NEW HYTHE FC
| CLUB NAME | Larkfield & New Hythe |
| CHAIRMAN | John Michel |
| CLUB SECRETARY | Adam Handy
adam.handy@albatrossgroup.com |
| FIXTURES SECRETARY | Adam Handy
adam.handy@albatrossgroup.com |
| PROGRAMME EDITOR | John Michel |
| FIRST TEAM MANAGER | Danny Lye |
| MIDWEEK FIXTURES | Tuesday |
| u23s MANAGER | Kian Wilkins |
| u23s FIXTURES | Thursday |
| CLUB WEBSITE | larkfieldandnewhythefc.co.uk |
| HOME KIT | Yellow and Black |
| GOALKEEPER HOME | Pink / Silver / Green |
| AWAY KIT | All Maroon |
| GOALKEEPER AWAY | Dark Blue / Silver / Green |
| PITCH DIMENSIONS | 64m x 100m |
| CLUB PASSES | 131-136 and 137-138 |
Ground Name and Directions
Eden Estates Stadium, 251a New Hythe Lane, Larkfield, Kent, ME20 6PU
Just off the M20
General information on Larkfield & New Hythe FC
Larkfield & New Hythe Football Club were formed in 1961 and purchased its current ground in 1967. Originally the club had men’s teams playing in the Maidstone and District Saturday and Sunday leagues.
In 2012, John Michel, the Chairman of Larkfield & New Hythe FC, and Adam Handy, the Chairman of Larkfield FC, were instrumental in merging the two clubs for the mutual benefit of all the teams and the community. Larkfield FC, who were established in 1976, have over 30 teams consisting of youth teams of both boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 18, and also a Ladies team. This merger created a pathway for the youth players to play adult football and allowed the clubhouse facilities to be used by all.
The club was awarded the FA Charter Community standard status in 2015 and has an ethos to grow and support the club in the local community while promoting the success of all the teams.
The men’s team were accepted into the Kent County League in 1996 and remained in Division 2 East for many seasons. A very strong team in 2016 just missed out on promotion but was successful in winning their first silverware in the Les Leckie Cup beating Rolvenden FC 3-2.
In 2020, the club was promoted to Division 1 of the Kent County League, and a new sponsor, committee, and management team was put in place to push the club for further promotion and ultimately into SCEFL. The plan was going very well with the team 7 points clear at the top of the league when COVID-19 brought the season to an end. However, the club was undeterred and continued to upgrade the stadium to the level required for SCEFL Division 1 with new floodlights, seated and covered standing.
Season 2021/22 and the club’s hard work paid off as they were accepted into the Southern Counties East Football League Division 1 at Step 6 of the non-league pyramid. In the first season, the club had a tremendous effort finishing third in the league and reaching the playoff final, after beating Snodland in the first play-off game 1-0 in front of a then-record crowd of 501. Unfortunately, the final was lost 2-1 AET to Sutton Athletic.
Season 2022/23 started well and for much of the time the ‘Larks’ were head to head with Snodland, but unfortunately, the form dipped towards the end of the season and ended up finishing 5th and losing out again in the playoffs. The club also had its best season ever in the FA Vase reaching the third round proper.
Off the pitch improvements continued with a £100k clubhouse extension which was officially opened by MP Tracey Crouch in February 2023. Significant partner funding by the Football Stadia funds, KCC, and Kent FA made this possible.
Season 2023/24, and the management team of Danny Lye and Michael Philips built a new squad, which finally got them promotion at the third attempt. Their highest finish ever coming second and once again into the playoffs. An epic semi-final win 13-12 on penalties against Lewisham saw them play at home to Staplehurst in the final. A narrow 1-0 win in front of a record crowd of 835 got them promoted and into the Premier division for the very first time.
At the end of 2023, the club signed a deal for a new stadium with 3G playing and training pitches, a new clubhouse, and a 250-seater stand, all of which should be ready within 2 years.
Up the Larks!
History
1961 – Larkfield & New Hythe Wanderers formed and played in the Maidstone and District Saturday league.
1967 – Purchased land in Larkfield, remains current stadium location.
1976 – Larkfield FC Youth formed.
1996 – Clubhouse extended and first floodlights installed.
1996 – Joined Kent County League.
2004 – Awarded Charter Standard.
2012 – Larkfield & New Hythe FC and Larkfield FC Youth merged.
2014 – Ladies section formed.
2015 – Winners of Maidstone District Cup.
2015 – Awarded Charter Community Standard.
2016 – Winners of Les Leckie Cup.
2020 – Promoted to Kent County League Division 1.
2021 – New floodlights and stands installed.
2021 – Promoted to SCEFL Division 1.
2022 – Finished third in SCEFL Division 1.
2023 – Finished 5th in SCEFL Division 1, reached round 3 of FA Vase.
2024 – Finished 2nd in SCEFL Division 1 and promoted via playoffs. Reached final of Div 1 Cup.
