National League South side Ebbsfleet United are to field a women’s team plus girls’ sides from next season.
Kent Football United, who were relegated to the London & South East League this season, will now play under the Ebbsfleet United banner, with their home matches at the Kuflink Stadium on Stonebridge Road.
Sam MacNeil, head of operations and first team manager of the women’s team, told ebbsfleetunited.co.uk: “We now enter an exciting new chapter as Ebbsfleet United Women playing out of The Kuflink Stadium. I would like to personally thank the club for giving us this opportunity and platform. It will allow us to continue growing, expanding and developing the female game, creating the strongest player pathway in Kent.
“Joining such an established club as Ebbsfleet United will strengthen the infrastructure needed to provide the services we offer whilst also increasing the growth of the female game.”
Ebbsfleet United CEO Damian Irvine said of the development: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome everyone from the women’s team and down through the age groups numbering 120 girls to our Fleet family.
“The female game is a huge and growing part of football and we have always said we wished to reach further into our local community as we evolve on and off the pitch.
“At a time when there is a campaign against sexism in football under the #HerGameToo banner, we are proud to be able to give women and girls the opportunity to represent Ebbsfleet United.“