Whitstable Town defender and stand-in skipper Will Thomas now intends to fully bask in glory of club’s memorable double-winning season

Will Thomas intends to now fully bask in the glory of Whitstable’s memorable season.

The Oystermen stormed to the Southern Counties East League Premier Division title as they prepare to return to Isthmian League football for the first time since 2022.

And having wrapped up the league with five more matches to play, they also avenged last term’s Kent Senior Trophy final defeat with a 2-0 final victory against Punjab United at Maidstone United.

Thomas has captained the team for much of the campaign while defender Jake McIntyre was out injured.

“I’ve started more than 50 games,” said Thomas.

“On a personal level, it’s been very good to play that many games and captain the side for half of the season. It’s been really enjoyable.

“As a team, we have won the double and it’s only now, really, that you can reflect on what you have achieved. We set out to win the league.

“To do it with five games to go, that was a massive achievement.”

The most important of Thomas’ three goals this season was the one that earned them the point from a 2-2 draw at Rusthall, which clinched the title.

On taking the armband, centre-back Thomas said: “I’ve enjoyed it.

“Obviously, Macca is such a fantastic captain for this group.

"He has been a big miss. The lads we have got are all fantastic lads so, in that sense, it was easy to lead them.

"On a personal note, it’s been brilliant.”

The Oystermen concluded the campaign with a 1-1 draw at Corinthian last weekend.

Victory would have seen them finish a point better off than 2024/25 title winners Faversham Town and - although they were unable to do that - Jamie Coyle’s men did play two less league fixtures.

“It was nice,” said Thomas on the draw at Gay Dawn Farm.

“We had a target to beat Faversham’s points