Whitstable defender Finn O’Mara on filling void left by boss Jamie Coyle’s retirement, FA Vase glory and club’s Southern Counties East League title chances

Finn O’Mara knows he has to help fill the void left by retiring Whitstable boss Jamie Coyle this season.

Former Gillingham defender O’Mara partnered Coyle for much of last season, which culminated in FA Vase glory at Wembley.

Whitstable recovered brilliantly from a slow start once Coyle laced up his boots again in November, despite missing out on promotion from the Southern Counties East League in the play-offs.

“It was an amazing occasion,” said O’Mara on their Vase win. “I’d already said to Coyley that I’m staying and we’re getting promoted next year.

“We’re going to go out to win the league and I think, if we can keep the core of the team, we’ll smash the league.”

O’Mara will, however, have a new central defensive partner as Coyle watches on from the sidelines after finally hanging up his boots.

“He’s amazing,” said O’Mara. “I certainly don’t think I’ll be like that at 41! It was so good to play with him.

“He has so much experience because he’s done it and won it, and it just seems to come easy to him. He’s like a Rolls Royce out there with a Cuban Cigar.”

But helping a club move on after the retirement of a player-manager isn’t a new experience for much-travelled O’Mara.

“I’ve done it before when I was at Hastings,” revealed O’Mara, who rejoined from the East Sussex side in February.

“Gary Elphick, my old manager, retired and I came in. Hopefully, I can fill Coyley’s boots - at least I think he’s the same size as me!

“Now, I’m really looking forward to the new season, coming back in and seeing all the boys again. We’re just looking forward to the season.”

Whitstable’s 2-1 extra-time Wembley win over AFC Whyteleafe saw them come from behind at half-time as top scorer Harvey Smith levelled and striker Ronald Sithole