Aylesford Football Club is a long established football club located in the village of Aylesford, near Maidstone, Kent. The village boasts one of the most iconic bridges in England, built in the 14th Century to cross the River Medway. An iconic part of the village and just a stones throw from the football club’s home ground on Forstal Road, the bridge features at the centre of Aylesford FC’s club badge.
Aylesford FC has records back to 1925 for Men’s senior teams. In 1970, the club expanded the football provision offered to become a club for all which led to the addition of youth, girls and women’s football. In the last 10 years, the club’s dedication and commitment to providing football for all has continued to be at the forefront of it’s focus, with the club now having over 50 teams and community based offerings, including the addition of walking football and disability football provisions, with the club now having a complete mixed/male pathway from U5 development all the way through to Veterans and walking football; proving a pathway for children aged 4 years old all the way through adults aged 50+. And as of the 2025/2026 season, this pathway will be mirrored for the female section, providing the same opportunities and pathways for girls and women of the same ages. This inclusive approach underscores the club’s dedication to fostering football participation across all demographics.
In 2021, the club’s efforts were recognised when they received both the Grassroots Club of the Year and Project of the Year awards from the Kent FA. Chairman James Fuller accepted these accolades, highlighting the club’s significant positive impact and contribution on grassroots football in the community and the region.
To support the club’s continual expansion on building the player pathways and community provision offerings, in 2023, the club, with support from the Football Foundation, funded a £1.3 million 3G facility, further improving the experience for not just the players, but all members of the club. This has also allowed the club to further expand it’s community offerings with development, Wildcats, Squad Girls, Ability First, Holiday Club and in-school offerings all now provided by the club for its members and the wider community, keeping community focus at it’s core.
Shifting focus on to the Men’s team who have reached today’s Sevenoaks Charity Cup Final, the team joined the Kent County Football League from the Maidstone & District League in 2015. Despite a one-point deduction during their inaugural season, they secured promotion to Division Two Central & East. However, in 2017, the team faced relegation to Division Three Central & East, and further disappointment followed during the 2018–19 season that saw the team unfortunately disband mid-season, leading to their record being expunged. Not to be deterred, the club
rejoined the Kent County Football League in the 2020–21 season and achieved promotion to Division Two Central & East. Such perseverance culminated in winning Division Two Central & East last season earning promotion to Division One Central & East, and a Kent Junior ‘A’ Cup success making it a league and cup double. This season the team have made it back to back promotions having being promoted from Division One Central & East to the Premier Division, whilst also reaching the Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield Final and today’s Sevenoaks Charity Senior Cup Final.
Through decades of dedication to both competitive football and community engagement, Aylesford Football Club has solidified its role as a cornerstone of local football in Kent, as they look to not only maintain but continue to build on their offerings and success for many years to come.