ABOUT US
LARKFIELD & NEW HYTHE FOOTBALL CLUB
General information on Larkfield & New Hythe FC
Larkfield & New Hythe Football Club were formed in 1961 and purchased its 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 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 age 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 whilst promoting the success of all the teams.
The men’s first 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 Covid19 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 with acceptance 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 around top spot, but finally had to settle for a 5th placed finish and again the playoffs where they were defeated in the semifinal on penalties. The club had its best ever run 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 Feb 2023. Significant partner funding by the Football Stadia funds, KCC and Kent FA made this possible.
Season 2023/24, and a new management team of Danny Lye and Michael Philips built a new squad, which finally won us promotion to the Premiership at the third attempt. We had our highest position finishing second and once again the playoffs where we eventually beat Staplehurst Monarchs in the final 1-0 and with a new record crowd of 835.
Season 2024/25 the first in the Premiership and a good start meant for much of the season we were in the playoff positions, but a poor run towards the end meant we finished a credible 10th. Danny Lye stepped down in December and Micky Philips took on the reigns with Fraser Walker as his coach. Our first season ever in the FA Cup where we won through 2 pre-qualifying rounds to eventually get to the 1st qualifying round where we lost to step 3 Cray Wanderers after taking them to a replay. Finally our biggest win in the clubs history saw us win the Kent Senior Trophy 3-2 against Whitstable Town at the Gallagher.
At the end of 2023, the club signed a contract for a proposed new stadium 1km away from the current site with 3G main and training pitches, a new clubhouse and a 250 seater stand, all subject to successful planning permission for both sites which should be decided by the end of 2025.
Up the Larks!
History
1961 – Larkfield & New Hythe Wanderers formed and play in the Maidstone and District Saturday league.
1967 - Purchased land in Larkfield, remains current stadium location
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 are merged
2014 - Ladies section formed
2015 – Winners of Maidstone District Cup
2015 – Awarded Charter Community Standard
2016 – Winners of 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 in playoff final
2023 – Finished 5th in SCEFL Division 1, lost in playoffs, best ever FA Vase run to Rd 3
2024 – Finished 2nd in SCEFL Division 1, promoted via playoffs. Reached final of Div 1 Cup
2025 – Finished 10th in first SCEFL Prem season. Won Kent Senior Trophy 3-2 v Whitstable Town. Best FA Cup run to 1st round qualifying.