A healthy contingent of Kent footballers helped England Veterans retain the Seniors World Cup. New Whitstable manager Jamie Coyle, 41, was a mainstay as the over-40s triumphed in Bangkok, Thailand, edging out New Zealand 1-0 in the final earlier this month.
He was joined in the England squad by Chatham’s Matt Bodkin and No.2 goalkeeper Lee Hook, who was part of Ben Smith’s Ramsgate management team last season as the Rams made the FA Cup second round, where they lost to League 2 AFC Wimbledon.
Coyle explained: “Most of the players are based up north or in the Midlands. “Paul Bell, the manager, said to me ‘If you know a few guys that might want to help out, just let me know’. “Now, I’m getting a few messages from people like [Ashford boss] Danny Kedwell.
Paul is sort of using me as a bit of a southern scout for players that are still fit and now in their 40s. “Bods and Hooky are good mates of mine.