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Whitstable Town goalkeeper and barista Dan Colmer reacts to 2-1 extra-time FA Vase final victory over AFC Whyteleafe

FA Vase-winning Whitstable goalkeeper Dan Colmer had little interest in returning to his day job after Sunday’s victory at Wembley - but thinks he’ll have an understanding boss.

Whitstable No.1 Colmer was in party mood after helping Jamie Coyle’s side to an historic 2-1 extra-time win over AFC Whyteleafe.

Whitstable goalkeeper Dan Colmer celebrates Sunday’s FA Vase final win at Wembley. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Whitstable goalkeeper Dan Colmer celebrates Sunday’s FA Vase final win at Wembley. Picture: Barry Goodwin

But given he works as a barista with parents Emma and Scott, it’s unlikely to be much of an issue!

He said: “This has topped my whole life at the moment.

“I’m planning on finishing the day absolutely steaming!

“If he expects me to turn up, he’s just a complete idiot.”

Their Dartford-based Cafe2U mobile coffee van had also even appeared at games on Whitstable’s lengthy road to Wembley.

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“They brought the coffee van to a couple of Vase games later on,” explained 23-year-old Colmer.

“With a lot of foot traffic coming through, we thought it might be good for people to get a coffee - but I feel like more people were drinking beer. It was still good to get the family involved.

“My mum is quite ‘busy’ so she just pushed her way in with elbows.

“My mum has a way of doing that. I’ll put that down to her.

“But it’s such a welcoming club and I just love being here so much.”

Whitstable - backed by thousands of fans at the national stadium - conceded first, but levelled early in the second half through top scorer Harvey Smith and the entertaining match went to extra-time, where fellow forward Ronald Sithole struck the winning goal.

Whitstable players celebrate their second goal, scored by Ronald Sithole, which proved the difference between the teams. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Whitstable players celebrate their second goal, scored by Ronald Sithole, which proved the difference between the teams. Picture: Barry Goodwin

It sees the Oystermen’s current crop emulate what Deal Town achieved way back in 2000.

“I can’t really put it into words,” reflected Colmer. “I’m, obviously, buzzing and it’s a proud moment for me and my family.

“Of course, it’s on TV, as well. The first thing I did was check my phone, and I had hundreds of notifications and people tagging me in things where they’ve seen me on TV.

“You don’t really get that at our standard of football so that’s a nice one-off.”

Colmer was proud of himself and his team-mates as his family saw him make history from their seats at Wembley.

He said: “It doesn’t get any better than that.

“Honestly, I’m so proud of myself, the boys and I’m happy that my family got to see it. Everyone was here.

“The fans were amazing where there were the best part of 8,000 or 9,000 of them.”

While Whitstable don’t usually play in front of attendances anything like what they did against AFC Whyteleafe, they had attracted some of the best crowds in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division - even prior to this season.

“I feel like Wembley sort of takes them away a little bit,” said Colmer. “Obviously, it’s not like The Belmont where they’re three or four yards away. But we heard them all game.

“They were absolutely fantastic. There was a group of lads that were topless and had Oysters painted all over them.

“It’s just brilliant.”

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