This opening fixture promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to start their season on a high note. Whitstable Town will be aiming to assert their dominance as a Premier Division side, leveraging their defensive strengths and experienced players. On the other hand, Sutton Athletic will look to carry their momentum from last season, using their dynamic attack to challenge Whitstable's defence.

Given the competitive nature of both teams, a close contest is expected. Whitstable Town’s experience at a higher level might give them a slight edge, but Sutton Athletic’s home advantage and attacking capabilities could lead to an exciting match.

History of our Opponents:

Sutton Athletic Football Club was formed in 1898 and is one of four clubs, in the Kent County Football League, that has been founded for over 100 years. From its beginning, many of the players, managers, and committee members have come from the village of Sutton-at-Hone and their ownership and commitment to the club is as prevalent today as it was all those years ago.

The squad size stands close to 60 players and the competition amongst these, for places, is fierce and exchange of players between the teams continues to be done amicably which has resulted in squad enhancement and good team ethics. Off the field the club continues to grow and goes from strength to strength and with the club developing the new Academy sides, having increased youth sides and the inclusion of The Sutts first ever Vets side, its exciting times at the Sutts. The club and ground continues to develop and a fantastic location for sport and community hub.

The 2016-17 was impressive and the club finished in 3rd place but unfortunately lost a lot of the players that got the club there so the following campaign was more of a rebuilding one. After a poor start they lads finished superbly and ended in a reasonable 11th place.
A huge improvement was made in 2018/19 with the side finishing 5th before the Coronovirus Pandemic wiped out the 2019/20 season, but not before we made an impressive run in the FA Cup, being the last SCEFL side standing and recording a 6-0 home win over Ashford Town.

2019/20 also fell to Covid but the following year was to be a great one for the Club. A second placed league finish meant a place in the Play-Offs where a win against Tooting Bec set-up a final appearance at home to Larkfield & New Hythe.

A record crowd of over 500 watched us go to extra-time where Billy Muckle hit a scorcher of a free-kick to book us a spot in the Premier Division.

2022/23 then saw us take up a place at Step 5 for the first time ever and we ended the season in a very respectable 14th place. It was 20th in 23/24 and now we go again this year aiming to continue our progression as a club, with Ryan Huckle leading the side.

Match Information:

Saturday 27th July | 15:00 Kick Off
Lower Road Ground, Lower Road, Hextable, Kent, BR8 7RZ

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