Dad says seeing his son score at Wembley was ‘tremendous’

The father of one of Whitstable Town’s FA Vase goal scorers said seeing his son hit the back of the net at Wembley Stadium was “absolutely tremendous”.

Harvey Smith brought the Kent side level with Surrey’s AFC Whyteleafe in the 52nd minute before the Oystermen snatched a goal in extra time to win 2-1.

Dad Paul Smith said: “I’ve seen him on the sideline, I made sure I was there. I gave him a hug.”

Eric Asare-Mensah, who watched his brother Jerald Aboagye lift the trophy for Whitstable, said: “It’s a proud moment to see my brother out there finally achieving because it’s a once in a lifetime experience to be out there on the national pitch.”

Mr Smith said it was a special moment to see his son play and score at Wembley as he had taken him there as a fan 16 years earlier with a family friend, who travelled down from Scotland to watch Sunday’s match.

“It’s fantastic seeing all the players, seeing the smiles on their face. It’s well deserved,” Mr Smith added.

The victory saw Whitstable lift their first FA Vase in what was their first appearance at Wembley.

“I’m well proud. They’ve achieved so much. They missed out on [promotion via] the play-offs, but they’ve won at Wembley,” Mr Smith said.

Mr Asare-Mensah said it was a great experience for Aboagye’s nieces to see their uncle’s “career-defining moment”.

Right back Aboagye came on in the 70th minute of the game for Whitstable Town.

“To witness it myself, I am so proud; very, very proud,” said Mr Asare-Mensah.

“And to actually come home with the trophy, come on – what more do you need to say?

“It’s the icing on the cake to actually lift the trophy. It’s incredible.”

He said the win had “put Whitstable on the map”.

Shermaine Davis, Aboagye’s friend, said: “Jerald works so hard as well, he’s super on it. Health, fitness, absolutely everything.

“So we know that today is the most amazing day for not just him, but for all of us, and for Whitstable.”

Jane Longhurst, whose son Matt was a coach in Whitstable’s dugout, said the team had “done it for the town”.

“We’ve watched them through their ups and downs, their bad games, their good games, but this for little Whitstable Town is a massive thing,” she added.