Whitstable Town boss Jamie Coyle hopes to convince 39-year-old attacking midfielder Joe Healy to play on for another season at Seniors World Cup in Thailand as Oystermen celebrate title-winning season

Manager Jamie Coyle has convinced Whitstable’s Joe Healy to join him at the Seniors World Cup this summer - and intends to spend their time together persuading the attacking midfielder to play on for one more season.

It means defender Coyle, who turns 43 next month, won’t be the only member of the Oystermen’s title-winning Southern Counties East League Premier Division ranks in Thailand this June.

While Healy will turn 40 on Boxing Day, Coyle is eager to see him keep playing as Whitstable make their Isthmian League return for the 2026/27 campaign.

Healy set up defender Finn O’Mara for one of his two goals in a 3-1 home win against relegated Hythe on Easter Monday, with midfielder Bradley Schafer again on target at The Belmont.

Coyle said: “It was an absolute masterclass from Joe Healy on Monday.

“He played in second gear but still - easily - was the best player on the pitch.

"He has got virtually a goal-per-game this season. But he hadn’t got an assist until he delivered a great ball in for Finn’s first goal so the boys have been giving him some stick about that!

“I’m so pleased I have managed to get him to the World Cup in Thailand. My main task in Thailand is going to be to try and persuade him to play for one more year because he just oozes class.

“He will be a massive asset again if I can persuade him - and his wife - to let him stay for one more year.

“I was really pleased for Finn, as well. He’s on six goals for this season.

“He has been absolutely outstanding. We have really challenged our centre-halves in terms of scoring more from set-pieces.

“There were some really good individual performances on Monday.”

With the Oystermen being presented with the trophy after the Hythe game, Coyle didn’t want his players to