Whitstable’s management team are taking inspiration from the only man to win the FA Vase with a Kent side.

Tommy Sampson led Deal Town to victory at Wembley against Chippenham in 2000.

Sampson’s winners’ medal has helped Whitstable along the way this season, with assistant boss Matt Longhurst trusted with the lucky omen.

Longhurst had it as Whitstable drew their FA Vase semi-final second leg 0-0 at Hartpury University to book their place in the final against AFC Whyteleafe on May 11.

“When we played at home against Fleet, Tommy came and saw me before the game, obviously I’d worked with him previously at Dartford,” explained Longhurst.

“He said, ‘I want you to hold on to the medal, it’s going to be a good-luck charm for you’. So, I put it in a side pocket in my bag.

“I knew Tommy was coming to the second leg of the semi-final on Sunday, so I found him and he gave me the medal back and I put it in the same side pocket in my bag.

“It’s brought us a little bit of luck, so we’ll be certainly searching out for him at Wembley and I’ll be putting it back in that same side pocket again and fingers crossed it can bring us that same little bit of luck.”

Despite suffering a stroke in 2007, Sampson’s love of football in Kent hasn’t diminished.

He’s still in touch with many people in the game and gets to matches whenever he can, despite moving to Nottinghamshire last year.

Longhurst admitted he remains an inspirational figure.

“I worked with him at Dartford, so I’ve heard every story that he’s got over and over,” said Longhurst.

“I’ve got on coach journeys with him and watched the Vase final back and watched him play for Millwall and Welling.

“But life throws at you loads of different curveballs and obviously he’s had one of them curveballs. I’ve actually read both of his books and he’s got some great stories to tell.

“It’s a touching story, really, with Tommy. I’ve been one of the ones that he’s stayed in contact with, as has Jamie Coyle (Whitstable manager) and we’re just delighted.

“It’s great for us but it’s also nice to give things back to people in football. Tommy’s been part of my football journey personally as well, and there’s little bits and nuggets of information that you take from that over the years.

“For him to still be out showing that level of enthusiasm, travelling around the country, watching, you have to give him and obviously his wife Sandie great credit for that.

“I know when people are really genuine, he's genuinely excited for us to get to Wembley. You can see that and now he wants us to go and win the competition and I think it’s possible we can go and do that.

“Hopefully we can go and match what Tommy did 25 years ago. Hopefully it’s a good omen for us and it will be lovely to see him in the stands. Hopefully we can join him at that elite table where he’s the only one that’s done it before.”

A delighted Sampson said: “l know how lucky l am to have a Vase winners’ medal.

“l have lent it to many of my friends, who as managers had got their teams to the latter stages of the competition so it was a no-brainer to make sure that it was in Matt's possession during the game.

“When Whitstable walk out at Wembley, Matt will have it again and l can only hope the medal works its magic once more.

“I have so much respect for Jamie and Matt as well as admiration for the way they have weaved their way through the rounds of this great competition.

“Each round has its own trap waiting to throw you off course. My trap came in the early rounds where we found ourselves 3-1 down to ambitious Eastleigh (who now play in the National League).

“Our defining moment on the way to winning at Wembley was in the fourth round where we found ourselves drawn away to Northern League Crook Town. We blew them away 3-0 and in the dressing room after the game the buzzword was 'Wembley'. We were three games from a two-legged semi-final, and the rest is history.

“Whitstable versus Whyteleafe looks a difficult game to call but I believe Jamie’s men will prevail. I shall be there in a comfortable seat behind the Royal Box, cheering Jamie’s team on to victory.

“I have been sat at the top table on my own for 25 years - now it will be nice to sit with someone familiar!”