Eagles and Lokomotiv Canterbury merge to strengthen the city’s football pathway
Canterbury Eagles’ Kent County League team are ready for action!
Canterbury Eagles and Lokomotiv Canterbury are delighted to confirm their official merger, marking an exciting new chapter for football in the city. As part of the merger, Lokomotiv will become the senior men’s team under the Canterbury Eagles banner, competing in the NRG 24HR Gym Kent County League. The existing Eagles men’s side will continue to represent the club in the Herne Bay & Whitstable Sunday League.
This move creates a continuous and clearly defined pathway for male footballers—from grassroots to senior competitive football—by combining Loko’s County League pedigree with Eagles’ outstanding reputation for youth development. Together, the clubs are firmly establishing Canterbury Eagles as the city’s leading football force.
A complete pathway
The new kit features a nod to the team’s origins as ‘Loko’
Founded in 2010, Lokomotiv Canterbury have quickly become one of the area’s most ambitious and successful sides. Starting life in the Canterbury & District League, they earned back-to-back promotions and won Division 1 twice (2014/15 and 2017/18) before stepping up to the Kent County League in 2019. Most recently, they lifted the Les Leckie Cup in 2023/24. They will continue to play home fixtures at Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys.
Canterbury Eagles, meanwhile, have grown significantly since a new committee took over in 2019. The club has expanded from eight boys’ teams to 31 sides across all age groups, including nine girls’ teams, a senior women’s team, and popular beginner sessions.
This merger ensures that players—from the youngest beginners to those ready for adult football—can stay within one supportive club. The goal is for Eagles’ youth system to develop players capable of stepping up to senior County League football and helping the men’s team continue their climb up the football pyramid.
Voices from the club
Alex Burns, former Loko chairman and long-serving player:
"I joined Lokomotiv as an 18-year-old student in 2013 and have been part of it ever since. The club has come a long way, and joining with Canterbury Eagles is a great way to make sure our players have a place to play for years to come. We hope to progress up the divisions and become a visible goal for all the young players at the club, showing that the pathway from Saturday Soccer can end in competitive senior football. Eagles already has a brilliant reputation in youth football, and we want to add to that."
Callum Bundock, manager:
"I’m proud to be the manager of Canterbury Eagles’ first-ever men’s Saturday team. The move gives us a fantastic opportunity to be part of a well-run, family club and to bring through younger players. Having a senior men’s side already in place makes the jump from U18s less daunting. I grew up in Canterbury, and Eagles was my first ever club—as it was for my brother and a few of the lads now in our squad. It’s special to be back where it started. I’ll bring hard work, passion and a friendly face—and I hope we can make the club proud."
Charley Percy, captain:
"It’s an exciting time for all of us. The club, the manager, and the players are all focused on improving and doing things the right way. I joined Loko in 2020 after moving from London and instantly felt at home. Many former players are still involved off the pitch, which says a lot about the culture here. The merger allows us to tap into a fantastic youth setup, while giving those young players a proper route into men’s football with a great group of lads. I can’t wait to get started this season and show what we’re capable of."
Dylan Williams, Eagles’ Club Development Officer and Vice-Chair:
"At Canterbury Eagles, youth development is at the heart of everything we do. With men’s teams now competing in both the Kent County League and Sunday League, we’re able to offer a full pathway for ambitious players coming through our ranks."
Dan Porter, Eagles’ Co-Chair:
"We’ve had a strong relationship with Loko for many years. Their players have supported our coaching; we’ve helped with recruitment when we could, and we’ve always followed their progress with pride. What they’ve achieved over the last 15 years is remarkable and built on hard work, great organisation and a brilliant team ethos. These values align perfectly with ours, which is why this partnership works so well. We’re also committed to keeping the memory of ‘Loko’ alive, and we’re thrilled to now have a flagship men’s team to lead our ambitions and represent the city."
