# Counties 5 Kent

Counties 5 Kent (formerly Kent 3) is an English Rugby Union league that is the lowest RFU league for clubs in south-east London and Kent. Promoted teams go up to Counties 4 Kent and relegation is to the Kent RFU merit leagues.
Dwindling numbers of teams meant that Kent 3 folded at the end of the 2007–08 season, with all sides automatically promoted to what was then Kent 2. However, following a 15 year hiatus, and after the RFU's Adult Competition Review in 2022 - and the decision by Kent Rugby to allow reserve teams to participate in county leagues - from season 2023-24 it was resurrected and adopted its current name Counties 5 Kent.

## 2024–25

Departing were Canterbury III, Bromley II and Old Colfeians II, all promoted to Counties 4 Kent.
Joining were Lordswood, relegated from Counties 4 Kent and Sidcup III who finished 9th in Counties 4 Kent but elected to be relegated and in doing so gave Footscray (11th) a reprieve in the league above. New entries to the league were Beckenham III, Park House II, Old Alleynians III and East Peckham & Paddock Wood.

## 2008–2023

League not contested

## Original teams

When league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams:
* Bexley
* Cranbrook
* Deal Wanderers
* Linton
* New Ash Green
* Old Gravesendians
* Sheppey
* Sittingbourne
* Vigo

## Kent 3 honours

Kent 3 Honours :
| Season | No of Teams | Champions | Runners–up | Relegated Teams | League Name |
| 1987–88 | 9 | New Ash Green | Linton | Bexley | Kent 3 |
| 1988–89 | 11 | Met Police Hayes | Sittingbourne | Orpington, Thames Polytechnic | Kent 3 |
| 1989–90 | 11 | Sheppey | Cranbrook | Darenth Valley | Kent 3 |
| 1990–91 | 11 | Midland Bank | Vigo | Footscray, Orpington | Kent 3 |
| 1991–92 | 12 | Thames Polytechnic | NatWest Bank | No relegation | Kent 3 |
| 1992–93 | 10 | Cranbrook | Lloyds Bank | Greenwich, Old Olavians | Kent 3 |
| 1993–94 | 10 | Old Gravesendians | Whitstable | Orpington, Footscray | Kent 3 |
| 1994–95 | 10 | Lordswood | Old Williamsonians | Lloyds Bank, Greenwich | Kent 3 |
| 1995–96 | 10 | Tonbridge | New Ash Green | Darenth Valley | Kent 3 |
| 1996–97 | 10 | Midland Bank | New Ash Green | No relegation | Kent 3 |
| 1997–98 | 6 | Erith | Faversham | No relegation | Kent 3 |
| 1998–99 | No Competition | No Competition | No Competition | No Competition | No Competition |
| 1999–00 | No Competition | No Competition | No Competition | No Competition | No Competition |
| 2000–01 | 6 | Bexley | Old Gravesendians | No relegation | Kent 3 |
| 2001–02 | 11 | Shooters Hill | Old Olavians | No relegation | Kent 3 |
| 2002–03 | 10 | Vigo | Dover | No relegation | Kent 3 |
| 2003–04 | 11 | Brockleians | Bexley | No relegation | Kent 3 |
| 2004–05 | 9 | Deal & Betteshanger | HSBC | No relegation | Kent 3 |
| 2005–06 | 8 | Orpington | Foots Cray | No relegation | Kent 3 |
| 2006–07 | 6 | Medway | Bexley | No relegation | Kent 3 |
| 2007–08 | 5 | Old Williamsonians | Orpington | No relegation | Kent 3 |
| Green backgrounds are promotion places. |||||||||||

## Number of league titles

* Midland Bank (2)
* Bexley (1)
* Brockleians (1)
* Cranbrook (1)
* Deal & Betteshanger (1)
* Erith (1)
* Lordswood (1)
* Medway (1)
* Met Police Hayes (1)
* New Ash Green (1)
* Old Gravesendians (1)
* Old Williamsonians (1)
* Orpington (1)
* Sheppey (1)
* Shooters Hill (1)
* Thames Polytechnic (1)
* Tonbridge (1)
* Vigo (1)