Dan Colmer has his sights on consecutive FA Vase victories as Whitstable bask in the glory of their historic Wembley final win.

The Southern Counties East Premier Division side claimed the trophy for the first time in their long history, earning a 2-1 extra-time win over AFC Whyteleafe this month.

While the FA Vase is only open to clubs who ply their trade at Steps 5 and 6 of the non-league pyramid, those that win the competition are often promoted out of their division and, therefore, unable to defend the crown.

But that isn’t the case for Whitstable, who missed out on promotion in the play-offs.

Since the turn of the millennium, only Whitley Bay have defended the FA Vase, winning it three times on the spin between 2008 and 2011.

Whitstable No.1 Colmer said: “We want to go back-to-back.

“I think someone told me that one of the northern teams has done it in the past.

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“Going into it next year, being the defending champions, that’s going to be really nice.

“It’s something to be proud of.”

The 2024/25 season proved to be Colmer’s first at Whitstable as he came in last summer to replace Jordan Perrin, who reunited with ex-Oystermen manager Marcel Nimani at Sevenoaks, with goalkeeping coach Dan Eason having spent years between the sticks at The Belmont before then.

“Dan Eason’s were big boots to fill,” said Colmer.

“Obviously, they had Jordan a little bit at the end of last season but, primarily, it’s been about filling Dan Eason’s boots.

“It was always going to be a big ask. But I feel like the fans have taken to me.

"I feel like they like me and it’s a very personal relationship that you get with them.

“They come in the bar afterwards and everyone is there, and they come to speak to you. You get to know about them and their lives.

“It’s just brilliant. I love the standard of football I play at because it’s so personal with the fans.

"I don’t think you get that at higher levels.”

Colmer has featured behind player-manager Jamie Coyle for much of the campaign but revealed: “He does have a death stare on him!

“If you make a mistake, you know that you’re getting a good stare.

"He demands quality and he demands high standards. Things are so much better with him on the pitch.

"I think we went 25 league games unbeaten (since he’s come back), what a player he is.

“It’s by far the best group of not only players, but people that I’ve worked with.

"I’m just so proud to be part of this group.”