Unsung Whitstable Town hero Ada Hubbard looks back at a kitman career which finished in FA Vase Wembley glory after spells at Ramsgate, Sittingbourne and Maidstone United under brothers Jim and Danny Ward

One of Kent football’s unsung heroes has been looking back over a career that ended in memorable fashion.

Kitman Ada Hubbard retired following Whitstable’s historic 2-1 extra-time FA Vase victory over AFC Whyteleafe at Wembley.

He started his kitman career under brothers Jim and Danny Ward with Ramsgate and was also involved at Maidstone and Sittingbourne with the Ward brothers, before eventually finding his way to The Belmont.

He finished his time actively involved with the club in style in May following their nine-round run to the final.

“The first game of the Vase run, we were away at Corinthian-Casuals and 1-0 down at half-time - but we ended up winning 4-1,” recalled Hubbard.

“Little then did we know what was going to happen at Wembley. That was a terrific experience.

“I never thought I’d ever walk on the Wembley pitch!”

But Hubbard did, with excitement levels reaching fever pitch in the build-up to the Vase final, as ex-England defender Stuart Pearce even headed to The Belmont.

“There were plenty of cameras and media people about, leading up to that,” said Hubbard.

“Stuart Pearce was down there as well, taking a bit of a training session with the players and telling them what to expect when you walk out at Wembley.

“He said ‘Don’t be overawed by it and enjoy the day. It’s just another game, another football match. Just treat it as normal’.

“Regarding kitman duties, initially with Jim and Danny Ward, who obviously I was with at Ramsgate, they asked me to do the duties and various things. It was in 1998. That’s when I first started.

“That’s when you had buckets of water and a sponge. But there’s so much more required now. They wanted me to train up to be a physio.

“I can squirt water on someone’s leg but, obviously,