I'm really chuffed to be made honorary vice-president of the KCFA, says Tommy Sampson

TOMMY SAMPSON says he is chuffed after being made a honorary vice-president of the Kent County Football Association for his contribution to Kent football.



The 57-year-old, who lives in Maidstone, is now an advisor to the committee and management team at Ryman League Division One South club Faversham Town.

Sampson, who won The FA Carlsberg Vase when he was the manager of Kent League side Deal Town underneath the iconic Wembley Twin Towers in May 2000, said he was pleased to receive the email from Paul Dolan.

He said: “I’ve had some good news this week. I’ve had an email from the chief executive of the KCFA to say I’ve been made a honorary vice-president of the KCFA for my contribution to Kent football, which I think is absolutely fantastic.

“I’m really chuffed.  That’s a word that I can only think off.  I’m delighted to be thought off in that way.  I’m really pleased.

“I’ve emailed Paul Dolan back thanking him and thanking all those who recommended me.  I haven’t found out who recommended me but I will thank them when I get the chance.

“It’s a great honour for me.   I’ve not been well for two or three years’ as you know and it’s just great news.  I thought it’s the sort of news that I’d like to share with people.”

Sampson is often on the telephone to offer words of advice to managers of Kent football clubs and believes there are great times ahead for Faversham Town under manager Ray Turner this season.

He said: “We’ve signed quite a few players and we look like we may surprise a few people.

“We’re going in under the radar.  No-one will know.  We’ve got a very good squad of players and Ray has done ever so well.

“I’m quite heavily involved with Faversham. I speak to Ray all the time.  We’ve signed a lot of players and we’re talking about fundraising and the best way to do it so really my focus is on Faversham.

“I can’t wait for the season to start to be honest.”

Faversham Town commence their pre-season campaign with a home game against Simon Austin’s Canterbury City on Tuesday 17 July.

The Lilywhites then welcome Welling United (21 July), Erith & Belvedere (26 July), Faversham Harlequins (28 July), Hastings United (31 July) and Hollands & Blair (4 August) to Salters Lane for their remaining pre-season work-outs, before kicking off their Ryman League campaign on 18 August.

Visit Faversham Town’s website: www.favershamtownfc.co.uk  

Visit The Kent County Football Association website: www.kentfa.com