Lordswood welcome Charlton Athletic to Martyn Grove tonight (Wednesday) to celebrate 50 years of football at the club.

The friendly match will be a fitting way to celebrate, says boss Richard Styles, who along with assistant Dan Morrin, work in the community department at Charlton.

Scroll down for audio

“It’s a big club for us to be playing and it will give our club the focus and attention that it deserves,” said manager Styles.

“It’s a long time to be in business and to keep going as a club, we are proud of that and it’s a great way to celebrate.”

In their 50th year, there have been big changes at Lordswood, with a new chairman and plenty of new sponsors coming on board. Results this season have also been positive, sitting third in the Southern Counties East, Premier Division.

Styles admits he’s unsure what kind of opposition his team will face on Wednesday.

“I work at the club but I don’t know,” he admitted.

“I am expecting the under-23s and maybe one or two first team players who need a run out but I don’t know, anything will be a bonus.

“Jason Euell will be managing their team and it would be great if Lee Bowyer (first team manager) and Johnnie Jackson (coach) can make it too.”

Lordswood first started out in the Rochester and District League after forming in 1968, enjoying plenty of early success. In 1981 they gained entry into the Kent County League and in 1996 were accepted into the Kent League.

A record crowd of 600 watched the Gills play Lordswood in 2003.

Wednesday's game kicks off at 7.45pm and tickets can be purchased online here.

Lordswood defender Carl Harrold suffers a broken collar bone