ONE of the proudest men inside Wembley at next Saturday's FA Vase final will be Tommy Sampson, who earned himself legendary status in the last showpiece to be played at the old stadium 13 years ago.
Sampson became the first Non-League manager to lead a Kent club to victory there when Deal Town beat Chippenham, and he'll be “wearing a Tunbridge Wells tie and scarf with pride” when they take on Spennymoor Town.
The 59-year-old suffered a stroke while managing Redhill five years ago, but rang me to share his joy at being invited by the FA to sit in the Royal Box.
Those who have known him over the years at clubs like Boreham Wood and Dartford will be pleased to know he is walking and talking again like the Tom we all used to encounter on our travels.
“I don't use the wheelchair anymore and I haven't for around a year,” he told me. “I don't want people to see me in it, so I get up on sticks and push myself.
“I've done a lifetime's worth of pre-seasons to get my health back, and I've been doing some workshops for Non-League managers with the Kent FA.
“I tell them before I start that a clot of blood stopped the oxygen getting to my brain, so a load of cells died and I get a bit lazy with my speech. But most people who know me think it's an improvement speaking out the side of my mouth, because they are used to me talking out of my backside!”
He also gives motivational team talks to the players at Ryman One South club Faversham Town, where he's on the committee.
“I tell them to look after their health, because it's the most important thing they've got,” adds Sampson, who reckons he's
“nearer the end than the beginning” of his dream of returning to management.
I wouldn't put it past the old boy making it!
