Deal Town’s 2000 FA Vase-winning manager Tommy Sampson offers congratulations to Whitstable Town player-boss Jamie Coyle after Oystermen’s Wembley win

Tommy Sampson has congratulated Whitstable’s FA Vase-winning squad.

The history-making Oystermen became the second Kent team to win the Vase last Sunday - 25 years on from when Sampson guided Deal to victory at the old Wembley.

Whitstable player-boss Jamie Coyle appreciated the support they’ve had and was gutted Deal Town hero Sampson wasn’t able to be at Wembley after he had a nasty fall.

“I’ve spoken to Jamie a couple of times since Sunday,” said Sampson. “It was a fantastic day.

“For them to win the Vase, no one would have thought that at the start of the season. I was only sad that I couldn’t be there. I had a terrible fall.

“I had to tell Jamie last week that there was no way I was going.

“I just wanted to congratulate Jamie and Matt Longhurst (his assistant), and all their guys behind the scenes.

“I know people like (social media officer) Tony Rouse and (photographer) Les Biggs so I’d just like to publicly congratulate them.”

Sampson, who relocated alongside wife Sandie to Nottinghamshire last year, was left to watch the Oystermen’s 2-1 extra-time triumph against AFC Whyteleafe from home.

Sampson had been taking his own FA Vase medal to Whitstable games as a good luck charm, even leaving it with Longhurst for the final despite his absence.

Coyle’s side had won nine rounds to make it to the final.

On not being able to see the game in person, Sampson said: “It was so disappointing.

"I was sitting and watching on TV and I said to Sandie ‘This isn’t where I should be.’. I was devastated I couldn’t go.

“But Matt had my medal and he’d had it for a couple of weeks, although we didn’t realise when I gave it to him I wouldn’t be able to go to Wembley.

“But I want it back now - don’t worry about that!”

On Coyle, Sampson