Whitstable Town Football Club played its first recorded match 140 years ago and, it's fair to say, has had to overcome some difficult challenges at times during its long history. It is still here though and has managed to give its supporters some treasured moments, including promotions, cup wins and plenty of memorable matches, players and goals. More recently, with a rapidly increasing youth section, academy and improved facilities, it has become very much a part of the growing community in this seaside town.

The much adored FA Vase gives lower tier non-league clubs a chance to test themselves against others of a similar level across the country, collect some prize money and have a chance of reaching a final at Wembley Stadium. Whitstable played their first game in the FA Vase in 1975, a low key 2-0 home win against Slade Green Athletic before losing to Eastbourne Town in the next round. Since then, many campaigns have come and gone, with the 1996-97 run to the last 16 being the most successful - until now. This is the 36th season that Whitstable have played in the competition; they did not enter in 1987-88 and played in the FA Trophy during two spells in the Isthmian League.

Whitstable had to progress through nine rounds in this record breaking FA Vase run to reach the Wembley final and following the win there against AFC Whyteleafe have now matched Deal Town's achievement in 1999-2000 to become just the second Kent club to lift the trophy.

The Wembley final was a magical moment in history of Whitstable Town Football Club that will forever be remembered by so many that were able to witness it, either in person or from afar. The scenes at the end of the game and in the celebrations that followed were special. The excitement was mixed with many emotions, and also a time to remember all of the dedicated supporters and those that had worked tirelessly for the club in years gone by, but were no longer with us to enjoy this day. It was very special though to see representatives of all age groups in the stadium, many proudly wearing their club colours, waving flags or scarves and enjoying the bond with the players, management and club officials. It was also an honour to share the Royal Box with George Dunn, a former Whitstable centre forward and World War II veteran, who at the age of 102 was there to watch his former club and home town lift the trophy.

We are very appreciative of all those that have sent us messages, photos, videos and celebrated with us. We hope to see many of you on Saturday for our parade and celebration at our home ground. Thoughts will then turn to the future with optimism, as plans begin for next season and beyond, looking to build on our progress both on and off the field. We would love to share the journey with you.

Here is a brief look back at the historic journey.

First Round Qualifying
Corinthian-Casuals 1 Whitstable Town 4
(Josh Oliver, Harvey Smith 3)
Attendance 143
Having made a swift exit from the competition last season, Whitstable had to enter at the very start this time and in the First Qualifying Round were drawn away to Corinthian-Casuals, a famous old club and former Isthmian League rivals. It looked as though that might be the end of a short road when the Tolworth based club, who currently play in the Combined Counties Premier Division South, led 1-0 at half time. A goal by Josh Oliver and a Harvey Smith hat trick turned things around however and Whitstable made a winning start.

Second Round Qualifying
Whitstable Town 1 Hollands & Blair 0
(Michael West)
Attendance 284
Fellow SCEFL Premier Division club Hollands & Blair were the next opponents, having knocked out Brighton club AFC Varndeanians 3-0 in their opening game. A close game was decided by a good finish from Michael West just before half time.

First Round
Whitstable Town 1 Virginia Water 0
(Josh Oliver)
Attendance 365
An early goal by Josh Oliver was enough to defeat a very big and strong Virginia Water team that contained a couple of former FA Vase winning defenders. Whitstable missed a few chances to add to their lead and had to withstand a considerable aerial bombardment with some enormous, long throws from the Combined Counties Premier Division North team.

Second Round
Whitstable Town 2 Lydd Town 1
(Harvey Smith, own goal)
Attendance 401
This was a very closely fought game between two teams from the same division. Harvey Smith put Whitstable ahead in the second half, but Lydd soon equalised. The game looked destined for a penalty shootout until some late pressure led to the ball rebounding off a Lydd player into his own net in the fifth minute of added time.

Third Round
Whitstable Town 2 Jersey Bulls 1
(Josh Oliver (pen), Nico Grierson)
Attendance 367
Whitstable were drawn at home for the fourth consecutive round, but this looked a tough challenge against a team that had yet to lose this season and were many people's favourites to win the FA Vase. The game was delayed by a week due to Storm Darragh grounding all flights from the Channel Islands. Jersey Bulls took a slightly fortunate early lead when an apparent cross drifted in at the far post. It seemed that might prove the winner, but late Whitstable pressure was rewarded with a penalty for handball and Josh Oliver kept cool to equalise. Under 23 player Nico Grierson, a late substitute, then hit a stunning winner into the top corner from 20 yards. Jersey finished with eight players on the pitch when added time brought a red card and two others were sent to the sin bin. For perhaps the first time, the town of Whitstable began to dream of something special.

Fourth Round
Walsham le Willows 1 Whitstable Town 1 (2-3 penalties)
(Ronald Sithole)
Attendance 267
An away draw meant a trip to Suffolk to play Thurlow Nunn (Eastern Counties) League Premier Division team Walsham le Willows. Manager Jamie Coyle asked for the supporters to turn it into a "home" game by travelling in large numbers, and they certainly did, although most would probably not have been too familiar with this countryside venue. They were a good footballing side though and despite Ronald Sithole putting Whitstable ahead soon after half time, the home team pressed hard and eventually equalised in the 87th minute. Whitstable almost responded with a very late winner, but it went to penalties. In a tense climax, Dan Colmer was the hero, saving three consecutive spot kicks as Whitstable edged through 3-2.

Fifth Round
Whitstable Town 2 Fleet Town 1
(Jayden Boulton, Mikey Dalton)
Attendance 1,121
It was back at home for this round and a chance to surpass the previous best FA Vase journey of 1996-97, which ended at this stage at North Ferriby United. Fleet Town were the third team from the Combined Counties Premier Division South that Whitstable had faced in the competition, following Corinthian-Casuals and Jersey Bulls. With two players suspended, two cup tied and several more injured this was a challenge to field a competitive team and a few new faces were brought into the squad. Whitstable took control with two excellently taken goals by Jayden Boulton and Mikey Dalton early in the second half, but then a headed goal by Fleet set up a nervy finish, but Whitstable held on for a deserved win in front of a big crowd.

Quarter Final
Whitstable Town 3 Whitchurch Alport 2
(Ronald Sithole, Nathan Jeche, Harvey Smith)
Attendance 2.656
The quarter final against Midland Premier League Whitchurch Alport was watched by the largest ever home crowd and proved to be a thriller. Two early goals by the Shropshire club looked like spoiling the party, but Whitstable fought back and Ronald Sithole quickly reduced the deficit. Nathan Jeche equalised in the second half and there was a dramatic climax when Whitstable were awarded a penalty in added time and Harvey Smith fired in the winner after his spot kick was initially saved.

Semi-Final First Leg
Whitstable Town 2 Hartpury University 0
(Nathan Jeche, Finn O’Mara)
Attendance 2.905
This game broke the home attendance record once again and Whitstable put in a dominant performance to take a two goal lead into the second leg. Nathan Jeche gave Whitstable an early lead and Finn O’Mara doubled their advantage from a corner in the second half. The Hartpury goalkeeper kept his team in the tie with a string of fine saves.

Semi-Final Second Leg
Hartpury University 0 Whitstable Town 0
Attendance 905
Whitstable put in a professional performance to ensure their safe passage to the final in a game that was played on a Sunday due to the Hartpury University rugby team having priority use of the pitch on the Saturday. Goalkeeper Dan Colmer made a couple of good saves, but the student team from Gloucester rarely looked like spoiling the Wembley dream for the Oystermen despite playing some good football at times, especially in the first half.

Final
AFC Whyteleafe 1 Whitstable Town 2 (after extra time; 1-1 at 90 minutes)
(Harvey Smith, Ronald Sithole)
Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 38.600 (Non-League Finals Day)
AFC Whyteleafe, the fourth team from the Combined Counties Premier Division South that Whitstable have played during this FA Vase campaign, were the bookmakers' favourites to win the trophy before kick-off and took the lead with a well-worked goal in the 17th minute. Whitstable goalkeeper Dan Colmer made sure Whyteleafe only had the one goal to show for some impressive first half football. Whitstable were much improved after the break and a Harvey Smith strike brought them a deserved equaliser. Either team might have won an entertaining, end to end, game in the 90 minutes, but extra time was needed. Whitstable then created most of the chances and it was Ronald Sithole who fired home the winner in the 100th minute to spark wild celebrations amongst the 9.000 plus supporters that had travelled to the national stadium to cheer on the Oysters.

A few statistics for the FA Vase 2024-25

Appearances:
11 - Dan Colmer, Harvey Smith, Fin Cotton
9 - Mikey Dalton, Jerald Aboagye
8 - Jake McIntyre, Ronald Sithole
7 - Jamie Coyle
6 - Finn O'Mara, Will Thomas, Jayden Boulton, Josh Oliver
5 - Robbie Rees

Goals:
6 - Harvey Smith
3 - Ronald Sithole, Josh Oliver
2 - Nathan Jeche
1 - Mikey Dalton, Finn O'Mara, Jayden Boulton, Nico Grierson, Mike West