Whitstable open-top bus parade celebrates FA Vase final win
An open-top bus parade is to take place in Whitstable to celebrate the town's football club winning the FA Vase.Whitstable Town FC came from behind to beat AFC Whyteleafe 2-1 in the final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, taking the trophy for the first time in the club's history.Saturday's parade starts from Whitstable Harbour at 10:00 BST making its way through the town and finishing at The Primcura Healthcare Stadium.A club spokesperson said: "We look forward to celebrating this unforgettable moment with all our supporters."
The club thanked its "countless volunteers" who had "given their time" to steward the procession."Your hard work and dedication - especially with such short notice - have made this celebration possible."Post-parade celebrations at the ground include a player awards ceremony, a chance to meet and greet the players as well as photo opportunities with the FA Vase trophy.
The FA Vase features teams playing in steps 5 and 6 of the English National League system - Whitstable play in the Southern Counties East Football League.A spokesperson for Canterbury City Council said: "Whitstable Town's incredible achievement at Wembley on Sunday, which was such a historic moment in the club's history, deserves to be properly celebrated."It's great news that everyone involved has come together to make it happen and we hope it's a wonderful occasion where the players and club can bask in the glory they so richly deserve."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
26 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Very good week' for England or 'back to the drawing board'?
Big-name retirements, an impressive display against Portugal but dominated by Spain days later. Has it been a positive week for England or a reality check?Sarina Wiegman's side are preparing to defend their European title in Switzerland next month but had two testing matches in the Women's Nations League to navigate first.A 6-0 victory over Portugal afforded the opportunity for returning stars to build their fitness after injuries, but Tuesday's game in Spain against the world champions was the ultimate litmus test to assess the level of the Lionesses going into the tournament. Key players back and new tests Manager Wiegman had her hands full going into the camp after goalkeeper Mary Earps announced her shock international retirement and key defender Millie Bright withdrew from the squad to focus on her mental and physical St-Germain stopper Earps had fallen down the pecking order, with Hannah Hampton increasingly looking more likely to secure the number one Wiegman admitted Earps would have been a valuable member of the Euros squad - and it had been "hard" to deal with her decision. That news was a major distraction as England prepared to face Portugal, piling pressure on Hampton and raising questions about the morale in the response was emphatic and admirable as they produced an immense display, thrashing Portugal in front of an entertained crowd at Beever-Jones demonstrated England's attacking depth with a brilliant hat-trick, while Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood and Georgia Stanway all got minutes after returning from knee positive signs cannot be forgotten, although their week did not end on a high as an elite Spain side fought back in style for a 2-1 success that took them into the Nations League England defender Anita Asante told ITV: "The most important thing is the right players are getting the right minutes to feel prepared going into the Euros."Karen Carney, a former Lionesses midfielder, added: "It's great we got fitness for Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood. "If we get them back fighting - it's a good position for them. I'm confident for England going into the group stages."Carney admitted England had to "suffer" against Spain because they rotated in the second half as Wiegman looked to expose some of her fringe players to the experience against world-class names her Euros squad on Thursday and handed a senior debut to Missy Bo Kearns, just hours before midfielder Fran Kirby announced her international retirement, capping off a rollercoaster week for the Dutchwoman."Sometimes you have to go through these moments because the bigger picture for the summer is giving players the minutes that they need," added Carney."The changes in the second half really hampered England and we felt disconnected. It is a positive because Wiegman has got a lot to learn."The England boss echoed that sentiment, saying she was not concerned and could use the Spain loss as another "learning moment"."We had a very good week - players coming back from injuries, players fighting for positions, or minutes, or selection, and that is very positive." 'I would rather have a lesson now' But while there were certainly positives - most notably the Portugal performance after such a disruptive build-up - the second-half display in their defeat by Spain showed they clearly have work to France, the Netherlands and Wales awaiting them in the group stages at the Euros, they do not have time to get up to are tipped by many to be the tournament favourites and will undoubtedly be one of England's biggest obstacles if they want to defend their would have been unsettling, then, to see how easily Montse Tome's side dominated possession in the second half and put the visitors under relentless pressure and should have scored more goals than the two from substitute Claudia Pina."It's back to the drawing board against our old rival Spain," said former England international Lindsay Johnson on BBC Radio 5 Live. "In the first half, England looked confident in that low block, and they hit Spain on the transition. "In the second half, England really dropped off, Spain upped their game and England couldn't get anywhere near Spain. They were chasing shadows."Captain Leah Williamson admitted her side's performances away from home recently have been "difficult".It has been an inconsistent Women's Nations League campaign for the were held to a 1-1 draw in Portugal, then beat Spain at Wembley days later in February. In April, they thrashed Belgium 5-0 at home, then lost 3-2 in Leuven."What we have been saying the whole time is that 'it's the new England'. So we wanted to try different things as well," Williamson told BBC Radio 5 Live. "There was more inconsistency than we like, but you have seen very good sides of us. They are the levels we need to keep pushing for and hopefully we will be ready [for the Euros]."We would have liked to pick up a win [against Spain]. That would have done wonders for our confidence, how we feel and how we look ahead."But we can't forget all the work we have done. As we always say, I would rather have a lesson now than in a month's time."England will have another opportunity to piece things together when they face Jamaica in a friendly on 29 June - their final match before the Euros. Head here to get involved
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Lionesses' Fran Kirby announces international retirement before women's Euros
June 3 (Reuters) - England women's midfielder Fran Kirby, who earned 77 caps for the Lionesses, announced her retirement from international football on Tuesday, a month before the European Championship. Best known for her role in England's historic Euro 2022 triumph, the 31-year-old started all six games in the tournament, scoring twice and registering three assists. "After being in the England team since the age of 21, it's time to close that chapter of my life. I never wanted this day to come, but I cannot tell you how proud I am that it happened," Kirby said in a statement on social media. "Representing my country has been the greatest honour and a dream come true from my younger years," she added. Kirby joined the national team at the age of 21 and her last appearance came as a second-half substitute in last week's 6-0 win over Portugal. She was not included in the squad for Tuesday's 2-1 loss against Spain. Having struggled with injury and illness throughout her career, she missed the 2023 Women's World Cup due to a knee injury that required surgery. "My journey has been full of ups and downs, setbacks and achievements. Enough has been said and written about those, but regardless of whatever was thrown at me, I want you all to know that every time I put on that England badge, I gave it my all," Kirby added. Former Chelsea player Kirby won seven Women's Super League titles and five FA Cup trophies during her time at the London club. This season, she scored seven goals in 17 appearances for Brighton, who finished fifth.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Netherlands 1-1 Scotland: Analysis
Not that it was a high threshold, but that was Scotland's best performance by a mile against a top-tier side in a fair old a side who have had challenge after challenge thrown at them - particularly in the last 24 hours or so - there was an energy, enthusiasm and excitement about Andreatta asked for a fast start and she got it, until they conceded that early goal, of course. When she made a tactical change at half-time, she got a response. When she pushed on for a strong finish from the touchline, she saw it full-time, smiles were ear-to-ear, hugs were full and happiness palpable. It's been a long time since such feelings were promised to support young players upon her appointment and tonight it paid McGovern, 22, showed the qualities Scotland have craved from a number nine. Kirsty Maclean, 20, provided the perfect balance in midfield to the magic of Caroline Weir and Erin Cuthbert. Mia McAulay, 18, on her first start carried the Scots up the park with her was so much to like about the performance, attitude and application of a side who stared adversity in the early days in the Andreatta reign, but if this proves to be benchmark she says it is, then better days are ahead.
