Whitstable And Whyteleafe Fans Set For Wembley Showdown In FA Vase Final

Enthusiastic football fans from Kent and Surrey are buzzing with excitement as Whitstable Town FC prepares to battle AFC Whyteleafe in the prestigious FA Vase final held at Wembley. The atmosphere is electric, reflecting the historic moment for both clubs, as it’s their first-ever final in this tournament designed for non-league teams at steps nine and ten of the English football hierarchy.

Proudly cheering for their son Matt, Whitstable supporters Jane and Roy Longhurst stand filled with emotion, admitting they are brimming with “absolute goosebumps” as the game day approaches. “It’s a remarkable achievement for this spirited group of young players who everyday juggle work and their passion for football,” Jane expressed with pride.

“This has been an incredible journey,” she continued, a testament to the bond forged between the team and its devoted supporters.

Not far from the Longhursts, Helen and Danny Waters, die-hard Whyteleafe fans, spoke in anticipation before kick-off, utterly amazed by the unfolding situation, especially with Danny’s brother managing the squad. “This is the dream of every footballer,” Danny remarked, overwhelmed yet exhilarated. “The excitement is simply breathtaking.” He added, “The atmosphere here is heartwarming.”

With thousands of fans from both sides making their way to the iconic venue, Southeastern Railways predicts that nearly 10,000 Whitstable supporters will show up. Enthusiastically, Mark Weatherill, a dedicated Whitstable follower, told the BBC about the town’s uncontainable buzz leading up to this match-up. His wife, Maisie, added in disbelief, confessing they never expected to see their team reaching this monumental final.

AFC Whyteleafe has seen a remarkable rise since joint-manager and chairman, Kelly Waters, took over the reins in 2021 following the club’s previous folding. Kelly hinted at the emotional weight of the occasion, stating, “Walking onto Wembley with our local supporters cheering fervently for the players will be an absolute delight. I’m brimming with excitement.”

Gonnella echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that while the two teams may hail from different postcodes, it’s the spirit of non-league football that unites them; they are, after all, one big family this Sunday.

Among the buzzing fanfare, Whitstable’s goalkeeper Dan Colmer operates a coffee van alongside his mother, Emma. “I’ll be cheering loudly; I think he’ll certainly hear me!” she exclaimed heartily, recognizing the rare opportunity this match presents. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. He should savor every moment,” she added, underscoring the significance of the event for players at any level.

Supporters traveling from the Whitstable area are advised to embark on their journey early, as replacement bus services will be in use. With no trains scheduled to run from Whitstable Station on the day of the match, a bus service will operate between Ramsgate and Faversham.

The FA Vase presents a platform for teams in steps nine and ten of the English football structure, granting them a chance to compete in a national final at the legendary Wembley Stadium.

Whitstable Town is competing in the Southern Counties East Premier, while AFC Whyteleafe plays in the Combined Counties League Premier Division South—both situated within the ninth tier of English football.

To make it to the final, Whitstable Town secured victories against Hartpury University FC with a solid 2-0 aggregate score, while AFC Whyteleafe triumphed over Andover New Street FC with a 3-1 home win followed by a 1-0 away victory.

The community is enveloped in excitement, with 2,000 fans witnessing AFC Whyteleafe’s semi-final match at home and Whitstable drawing a crowd of 2,905 for their own semi-final showdown.