Kentish Football 
It's a day for Herne Bay heroes, says Wembley Winner Tommy Sampson
Thursday 20th January 2011
WEMBLEY WINNER Tommy Sampson tells Herne Bay’s players to become heroes on Saturday and be the man that knocks back-to-back winners Whitley Bay out of the FA Carlsberg Vase, writes Stephen McCartney.
The popular Sampson guided the Kent club to a unique Kent League treble during his reign at Winch’s Field back in 1996-1997 - before he led Deal Town to FA Carlsberg Vase glory back in May 2000 in what was the last ever final underneath the iconic Twin Towers with a famous 1-0 win over Chippenham Town, a goal scored by former Herne Bay star Roly Graham.
Nowadays, Herne Bay are managed by Simon Halsey and the 46-year-old has enjoyed a successful first season in management, guiding the club to a successful campaign last term as runners-up to Faversham Town in the Kent League and a victory over Sevenoaks Town to land the Kent League Cup.
But this season the club are currently leading the Kent League table by four points and have booked their place in the last 32 of the FA Carlsberg Vase, where Northern League giants Whitley Bay come to town.
The whole of Kent are backing Halsey’s heroes to send the Northerners back home with their tails between their legs.
“If Simon allows me, I’ll pop my head around the door and just say ‘Good Luck!’, said Sampson. “That’s all I will say, Good Luck! It’s a big day and remind them it’s a day for heroes. Someone’s going to be a hero and whoever wants to take that mantle on.”
Sampson hopes his unbeaten run in the Fourth Round of The FA Carlsberg Vase will lead the class of 2011 to glory.
“My Fourth Round memory was 300 miles away from home up at Crook,” recalled Sampson. “Very, very cold, very, very inhospitable and we won 3-0. Roly Graham’s wife gave birth to their child that morning so we drove Roly there and drove him back straight home after the game and he scored one of the goals.
“I’ve been in the Fourth Round three times and I’ve been lucky enough to win every time. That was the day I knew we could win at Wembley.
“The Fourth Round is pivotal as you’re so close to the holy grail that is Wembley and the further you get the most disappointing it is to fail.
“That’s all I could worry about at the time -the nearer you are to touch it, if it was taken away from you I’ve never known how I would have reacted. If I lost at Wembley I don’t know how I would have reacted to it in years following.
If Herne Bay get past Whitley Bay on Saturday, then the Kent club can really start to dream.
Sampson said: “I looked at the draw the other day, there’s no one that frightens you, but there’s no-one left in the competition that’s a poor side. It’s perhaps the competitions they play in are not as strong, but that’s the future, let’s not get too ahead off ourselves.”
Samson tells Herne Bay’s players to not be afraid of Whitley Bay’s big reputation and play their trade-mark football that will dazzle them.
He said: “Big reputations count for very little on the day, you’re not playing reputations, you’re playing human beings. Whitley Bay players will be nervous as the Herne Bay players because having been there they want to go back again so to have tasted Wembley twice, they’ve been very, very lucky, so I’m sure their players will have their butterflies in the stomach, just as much as the Herne Bay players.
“Herne Bay players will, as I say, it’s a day for heroes. Someone’s going to be a hero - let’s hope it’s Byron Walker or Stuart King!
“I told Byron Walker on the phone the other day, ‘don’t be afraid to dream, don’t be afraid to dream. To get to Wembley the dream will be even better.”
Sampson tells Herne Bay to take advantage of playing the game at Winch’s Field.
He said: “Being at home is an absolute blessing. Whitley Bay will have done 350-400 miles and that takes it’s toll, sleeping in strange beds, breakfast in unusual circumstances. Unless you’re a Premier League player and you’re used to that, it takes it’s toll and it will have a baring on the game.
““The Herne Bay crowd have got to be vocal, because it can be intimidating Winch’s Field, sometimes.”
On his former club‘s chances, Sampson said: “Looking at the teams left in the competition, I think they’ve got a fantastic chance of getting to Wembley, I really do!
“Herne Bay are top of the league, the Kent League is still a difficult league to play in every week and I think they’ve got a fantastic chance of doing it!
“I’ve told Simon there’s room at the top of the table for him. I’ve been there for 10 years but I’d love Herne Bay, Herne Bay are very close to my heart still. I spent seven fantastic years there and quite a number of the Herne Bay players who came to me with Deal are still very fond of Herne Bay. I had a message this week from Terry Martin, who was my captain at Herne Bay, and he wished the boys good luck, which is lovely.
“Herne Bay is a great club. It’s a sleeping giant.”
Sampson gave an updated on his slow progress, having suffered from a stroke back in 2008, whilst manager of West Sussex outfit Horsham YMCA.
“On a personal level, I’m still very slowly edging towards the end of my recovery period,” said Sampson, who will be at the game.
“I make very, very small bits of progress, but it’s not clear to the naked eye.
“I’m very fortunate with the fact that I can walk a little bit with a walking stick.
“I’ve got fantastic family and friends around me. Steve Lovell has been in once a week for three years, I speak to a lot of friends in football, Jim Ward and Alan Walker so everybody has been very supportive. It’s been a tough three years but I’m a tough bloke. I’m used to winning so hopefully I win this one.”
But proud Sampson doesn’t want the Herne Bay players to win Saturday’s game for him - but for themselves!
“No! I don’t want anybody to win it for me. I want the Herne Bay players to be proud of playing in the blue and white on Saturday.
“It’s a great club and I enjoyed my time there. My times past now. It’s time and I hope Simon makes his bit of history and I hope his players understand that.
“I intend to take my winners’ medal and leave it on the table for Good Luck and say to the boys before ‘you go out and have a look at that!”
Sampson added: “There will be no one more delighted in the county on Saturday if Herne Bay win, than me!
“Winning Saturday will be a fantastic feeling for Herne Bay’s players and I’m pleased for Simon, he’s a good friend of mine and he’s doing a great job there and it’s close to my heart Herne Bay, always has been.”
Sampson gave Halsey the following advice ahead of his biggest game in football management.
“Keep a clear head! I’ve had lots of conversations with Simon recently and I’ve told him of my experiences, over substitutions, you have to keep a clear head and keep thinking and not get involved in the emotions of the game if you can help it, although it’s a very difficult thing to do. There’s so much riding on. Every time Whitley Bay attack the Herne Bay goal, you’ll have your heart in your mouth!
“Simon has got to try and stay away from the emotions and keep thinking clearly. If the game needs changing he’s got to do it but I’m sure he will because he’s an experienced lad.
“Keep a cool head Simon and keep your eyes peeled on the game just in case it changes quickly.
“There can be no room for complacency of any sort from the players. There can be no room to have a look round and enjoy it, they’ve got to hit the straw running from three o’clock and give Whitley Bay no chance to get into the game.”
Herne Bay have issued the following instructions to supporters:
The gate receipts are shared between the two sides. Therefore, everyone must pay for admission (FA rule)
Adults £6.00, Concessions £3.00, Under 12 £1.00
All adults will pay the appropriate full price
Youth team passes will be honoured but without the adult concession.
Special FA Vase edition programme £2.00
Please arrive early to avoid waiting after the kick-off
Please, please have the correct entry fee to assist with the gate operation
Please leave your car at home if at all possible. The car park is likely to be full very early
COME ON HERNE BAY - KENTISH FOOTBALL IS SUPPORTING YOU ALL THE WAY TO WEMBLEY GLORY!
www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game
Visit Herne Bay’s website: www.hernebayfc.net
Herne Bay v Whitley Bay
FA Carlsberg Vase Fourth Round
Saturday 22nd January 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5SG
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd