Whitstable’s FA Vase final win at Wembley came after missing out on promotion - something their manager is intent on putting right next season.

Jamie Coyle is determined to build on their historic day out at the national stadium - and he’s confident they will be stronger next time around.

The Oystermen lost in the Southern Counties East Premier Division play-off semi-final on penalties to Fisher, meaning a fourth season at the level, but consoled themselves with a win against AFC Whyteleafe to become only the second Kent team to lift the FA Vase this month.

“We’ll be stronger next year,” Coyle declared.

“We’re going to probably add four or five new players to a squad that we’re going to retain the majority of.

“We need to get out of the league. That’s a real aim for us.

“We’ve got to get out of Step 5 because the club is far superior in terms of the background and the environment and the board and everyone involved, including the fans.

“That’s a real focus for us next year but what a way to start in terms of bringing [the Vase trophy] back for our fans.”

Coyle’s side won the Vase without key players Dean Grant and Bradley Schafer, who were cup-tied. He’s confident of keeping the core of the squad together for another crack at promotion next season.

He said: “I’ve had conversations already and 95 per cent of the players we’ve got have committed themselves and want to be at this football club.

“I’ve been to many different football clubs as manager, as a player, as a coach but the feel of this place when we walked in, it was just different to anywhere else we’ve been.

“We’re so determined to bring success to this football club.

“I’d have loved to have got out of this league [this season]. It’s not an enjoyable league to be involved in and the club are far superior in terms of the back-ground, the board, the fans, the facility.

“It’s far beyond the level where we’re playing but this is the first steps of what we’re going to achieve moving forward.”

Coyle is giving up playing from next season to focus solely on managing.

It will be a completely different summer to their last.

His arrival at the end of last season came in the wake of Marcel Nimani’s departure. The club had just missed out on the play-offs and Coyle set about an almost complete rebuild job.

Coyle said: “We had a really slow start to the season but we only had four players at the start so it was always going to take a little bit of time.

“We started slower than we were expecting but to finish with this now, you would have taken it after the 13 games where we’re sitting 13th or 14th in the league.

“We were in a real dark place and we had to kind of completely tear up the tactical side of what we tried to do and change things around.

“I never would have thought it would end at Wembley, but what a day!”

Coyle’s side finished the season strongly, losing only one game in 90 minutes in their final 28. He’s expecting there may be players tempted with offers from higher levels.

“We’ve got the core of the squad, for sure,” he said.

“I think there might be two or three that will potentially try and move on to higher levels, which we support because my background has always been developing players and trying to move them on.

“If they deliver the performances like Harvey Smith did [in the final], it showcases there is some real talent in Step 5 and the same with Whyteleafe, as well. They had some unbelievable individual players that are superior to this level.

“To have lost just one game in 90 minutes in 28 games was a phenomenal achievement for a young squad.

“It’s probably one of the best runs I’ve had as a player, manager or coach. I’ve never seen anything like it.

“It just shows you the togetherness and the work ethic that we’ve brought to this football club.”

More than 1,250 people gathered for Whitstable’s first-team end-of-season awards event at The Belmont last Saturday following their FA Vase open-top bus victory parade.

The presentation of the awards took place on the pitch and club officials were joined by MP Rosie Duffield and the recently-elected Lord Mayor of Canterbury Keji Moses.

Midfielder Mikey Dalton was named as manager’s player-of-the-year and players’ player-of-the-year while forward Smith also picked up two gongs. He won the golden boot after his 17-goal season and his strike in January’s 3-2 loss against Hollands & Blair was chosen by fans as goal-of-the-season.

Midfielder Fin Cotton was crowned young player-of-the-year and supporters’ player-of-the-year. Experienced forward Grant was directors’ player-of-the-year.

Directors’ special contribution awards were handed to club photographer Les Biggs and Aaron Jarvis, who is a youth-team manager and groundsman.

Retiring kitman Ada Hubbard was also recognised for everything he has done for the club over a number of years.

Midfielder Josh Oliver and sports rehabilitator Craig Sherlock are to leave Whitstable.