- Kouassi (68')
- Thomas (11')
History
Formed in 1935, Phoenix Sports Club originally started out as St. Johns Welling, later changing its name to Lakeside, before renaming to Phoenix following the Second World War as it was seen to rise from the ashes of the previous two clubs amidst the destruction caused by the blitz.
Over the years the club has played at various locations, including Danson Park until 1950 when the local council offered them a piece of waste land in Mayplace Road East, Bexleyheath.
After entering various leagues, including the Sidcup League, Kent Amateur League and the Dartford League, the club eventually settled in the Kent County League Division One West.
In the 1986/87 season, Phoenix entered the Spartan League and competed there for six seasons. They then returned to the Kent County League Division One West, winning the Challenge Cup in 1993/94.
In 1999/2000 Phoenix won the league, gaining promotion to the Premier Division, however after two relegations ended up in Division Two West, finally returning to the first division in 2004/05, and then back to the Premier Division in 2007/08.
After three seasons in the Premier Division, the first team became founder members of the Kent Invicta League at Step 6 of the National League System (Step 10 of the English Football League System) – the highest level of football the club had ever played at. The club went on to finish runners up to champions Bly Spartans also losing to them in the League Cup Final.
After the first team and reserve team management both resigned at the end of the 2011/12 season, the club appointed Steve O’Boyle and Tony Beckingham as Joint First Team Managers while off the pitch the club installed floodlights and a 108-seat stand and with further improvements around the ground it soon received an F Grade.
Phoenix Sports had a successful first campaign under the new management structure, losing only two league games all season to win the Kent Invicta League and earn promotion to the Kent League (now renamed the Southern Counties East Football League).
The club finished in sixth place in its inaugural season and had a very good start to the next campaign but lost in its first ever appearance in the F. A. Cup on penalties after a replay.
The club then began a that took them to the Fourth Round Proper of the FA Vase while also only losing 1 league game as they went on to secure promotion as champions. Following quick and necessary works done on the ground the club gained a D Grade and promotion to Isthmian League North Division where they finished 14th and 8th in their first 2 seasons.
The club was then the subject of a lateral movement and competed in the newly sponsored Isthmian League South, for the 2017/18 season. After a strong start, the club was hit by the departure of Steve O’Boyle. Paul Bryon came in and steadied the ship and the club finished mid-table for the next 2 seasons.
The early ends to the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, prevented the club from again gaining top half finishes before a disappointing 2021/22 campaign saw the club finish second bottom and get relegated to the SCEFL.
The club went into the 2022/23 season with Steve O’Boyle back in the dugout.The club finished second, 2 points behind champions Erith & Belvedere, leading to a promotion/relegation playoff with local rivals VCD Athletic, Phoenix winning with a last minute penalty to secure a return to step 4. After securing safety at the end of the 2023/24 season, Steve O’Boyle left the club to be replaced by Keith McMahon.
Recent Form
It has been a tough start to the season for Keith McMahon’s side, the club sitting bottom of the Isthmian South East Division with just 1 points from 7 games with 4 goals scored and exiting the FA Cup and FA Trophy at the first hurdles.
Last 6
21/9 – Lancing (A) – Lost 2-0
14/9 – East Grinstead (H) – Lost 2-1
10/9 – Sittingbourne (A) – Lost 4-0
7/9 – Uxbridge (A) – Lost 6-0 (FA Trophy)
4/9 – Sevenoaks Town – Lost 3-0 (Velocity Cup)
31/8 – Eastbourne Town – Lost 2-0
Recent Meetings
Tuesday night will see a first ever meeting between the two clubs.
The Manager
Keith McMahon took over at Phoenix Sports this summer following the departure of Steve O’Boyle. Keith has previously worked as assistant to O’Boyle for a spell towards the end of 2023. He has previously managed at Thamesmead Town, VCD Athletic and Whitstable Town.
Key Man
Goals have been hard to come by for Phoenix so far this season with just 5 in 10 games in all competitions. Joe Thomas struck twice in 4 minutes against Three Bridges back in August to earn Phoenix their only point of the season so far in a 2-2 draw.
— joe thomas (@joethom22611126) August 24, 2024
