Larkfield & New Hythe FC
LARKFIELD & NEW HYTHE FC
| CLUB NAME | Larkfield & New Hythe |
| CHAIRMAN | John Michel |
| CLUB SECRETARY | Adam Handy
adam.handy@albatrossgroup.com |
| PROGRAMME EDITOR | John Michel
john.michel@sky.com |
| JOINT MANAGERS | Fraser Walker and 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 | Maroon |
| GOALKEEPER AWAY | Grey |
| PITCH DIMENSIONS | 64m x 100m |
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 their current ground in 1967.
In 2012, John Michel, the Chairman of Larkfield & New Hythe FC, and Adam Handy, the Chairman of Larkfield FC Youth, were instrumental in merging the two clubs for the mutual benefit of all teams and the wider community. Larkfield FC, established in 1976, had over 30 teams, consisting of boys’ and girls’ youth sides aged 5 to 18, as well as a Ladies team. This merger created a clear pathway for youth players to progress into adult football and allowed all teams access to the club’s facilities.
The club was awarded FA Charter Community Standard status in 2015. Its ethos has always been to grow and support football within the local community while promoting the success of all its teams.
The men’s first team were accepted into the Kent County League in 1996 and spent many seasons in Division 2 East. In 2016, a strong team narrowly missed out on promotion but secured their first piece of silverware by winning the Les Leckie Cup, defeating Rolvenden FC 3-2.
In 2020, the club was promoted to Division 1 of the Kent County League. A new sponsor, committee, and management team were introduced with the aim of securing further promotions and, ultimately, a place in the Southern Counties East Football League (SCEFL). That goal looked well on track as the team went seven points clear at the top—before Covid-19 brought the season to a halt.
Undeterred, the club continued its stadium upgrades, installing floodlights, seating, and covered standing areas to meet SCEFL Division 1 requirements.
In the 2021/22 season, the club’s hard work paid off with promotion to SCEFL Division 1 at Step 6 of the non-league pyramid. They finished third in their debut season and reached the playoff final after a 1-0 win over Snodland in front of a then-record crowd of 501. They were narrowly beaten 2-1 after extra time by Sutton Athletic.
The 2022/23 season saw Larkfield & New Hythe spend much of the campaign near the top, eventually finishing fifth and making the playoffs again—this time losing in the semi-finals on penalties. They also enjoyed their best FA Vase run, reaching the third round proper. Off the pitch, a £100k clubhouse extension was completed, officially opened in February 2023 by MP Tracey Crouch, with significant funding support from the Football Stadia Fund, KCC, and Kent FA.
In 2023/24, under new management from Danny Lye and Michael Phillips, a new squad was assembled that finally clinched promotion to the Premier Division. Finishing second in the league, they beat Staplehurst Monarchs 1-0 in the playoff final in front of a record crowd of 835.
Their first Premier Division season in 2024/25 began promisingly, with the club sitting in the playoff positions for much of the campaign before a late dip saw them finish a respectable 10th. Danny Lye stepped down in December, with Micky Phillips taking the reins and Fraser Walker joining as coach.
The club also made its FA Cup debut, progressing through two pre-qualifying rounds before eventually losing to Step 3 side Cray Wanderers in the first qualifying round replay. A historic season was capped off by winning the Kent Senior Trophy, beating Whitstable Town 3-2 at the Gallagher Stadium.
At the end of 2023, the club signed a contract for a proposed new stadium just 1km from the current site. Plans include 3G main and training pitches, a 250-seater stand, and a new clubhouse. The plans are subject to planning permission, expected to be decided by the end of 2025.
Up the Larks!
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 season; won Kent Senior Trophy (3-2 vs Whitstable Town); best FA Cup run to 1st qualifying round
