Sampson announces his retirement from football management

TOMMY SAMPSON has saddened the Kentish Football family with the news that he’s announced his retirement from football management, writes Stephen McCartney.

Sampson announced the news this morning ahead of Redhill’s home pre-season friendly against Reigate Priory.

The popular Maidstone based manager was the first manager of a Kent non-league club to win at Wembley Stadium, when his Deal Town side defeated Chippenham Town 1-0 to win the FA Carlsberg Vase in 2000 - the last ever final underneath the Twin Towers.

Sampson has managed several Kent clubs, Tonbridge Angels, Herne Bay, Deal Town, Ashford Town and Dartford.

He suffered a stroke last December and had to step down at the helm of Surrey outfit Redhill, with Stuart McIntyre taking sole charge at Kiln Brow.

But Sampson fought his way to Whitstable Town fourteen days ago to see his side lose 1-0, watching the match by sitting down on a white chair beside the away dug-out.

A statement issued by Redhill said: “Redhill Football Club are saddened by the news that Tommy Sampson has retired from football due to ill health.

“Tommy suffered a stroke last December, and despite very good progress, Sampson now wants to concentrate on getting back to full health.

“He enjoys playing golf, and he would one day love to get back onto the course, and taking time away from the football scene, would give him more time to concentrate his efforts on physio and full recovery.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk were informed by Sampson of his decision at 6:28pm today - as he left a voicemail message as Nick Sullivan, the chairman of Tonbridge Angels was being interviewed face-to-face at the time of the telephone call.

Sampson said: “I’ve announced my retirement from non-league football management.

“I announced my retirement this morning. “We (Redhill) had a pre-season game today, so I’ve published it in the programme - my health is my consideration.”

A full statement from Sampson is expected to follow later.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk invite players, managers, club officials and supporters to send in their views of today’s sorry news - please click on CONTACT US, leaving your name and message.