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Phoenix Sports Football Club was formed in 1935 as St. Johns Welling, which later changed its name to Lakeside. They were members of the North Kent League until 1939. After the Second World War the club was renamed Phoenix, as it was seen as rising from the ashes of the previous clubs amid the destruction of the Blitz. They entered the South East London Amateur League in 1948 and in 1951 the club joined the Western Section of the Kent Amateur League, now Kent County Football League, Division Two. They moved up to Division One, finishing runners up twice in the 1950s, and once in the 1970s. The club entered the Spartan League in 1981/82 and competed there until 1991/92. They then returned to the Kent County League Division One West, winning the challenge cup in 1993/94. They won the league in 1999/2000, gaining promotion to the Premier Division, however after two relegations they ended up in Division Two West. They won Division Two West in 2004/05 and Division One West in 2007/08, regaining their Premier Division status. For the 2011/12 season the club was accepted into the Kent Invicta Football League for the league's inaugural season. In 2012, they became the inaugural runners-up of the Kent Invicta League. In the 2012/13 season, they went one better, winning the Kent Invicta League championship, gaining promotion to the Southern Counties East League.

Phoenix settled in well to the new league and eventually finished up in 6th place in the first season and followed that up by winning the championship in 2014/15 winning promotion to the Isthmian League Division One North. Finishes of 14th in 2015/16 and 8th in 2016/17 have been followed by the club transferring over to the Isthmian League Division One South for 2017/18.

This will be the first competitive meeting between the two sides. Herne Bay have played one game less than their visitors, who are in 9th place, with Bay three positions and three points behind. Phoenix Sports have been strong on their travels, winning four and drawing two of their last nine away matches, only losing at Cray Wanderers, Thamesmead Town and Lewes.

Phoenix Sports play their home matches at Phoenix Sports Ground, Mayplace Road East, Barnehurst, Kent, DA7 6JT. 51.8 miles from Winch’s Field. Estimated journey time 55 minutes. The return is on10/03/2018.