KENT LEAGUE CUP FINAL: Tompkins set for final swansong - EXCLUSIVE

MARK TOMPKINS, 40, is expected to hang up his boots following the Kent League Cup Final on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The much-travelled striker, who turns 41 in June, has guided his current club Erith Town to their highest ever finish in the Kent League - fifth - and will be contesting their first ever Kent League Cup Final at the weekend.

Despite winning the Surrey Senior Cup (Tooting & Mitcham United); the London, Kent and Veterans Cup (Bromley) and the Kent League Cup as a player with Cray Wanderers, Tompkins has challenged his fully-fit Dockers to bring this piece of silverware back to the Erith Sports Stadium outfit for the very first time.

Standing in their way, however, is a Hythe Town side that finished one place above them in the Kent League table.

But Dockers' player-manager Tompkins warns fans that are going to watch the game at Folkestone Invicta’s Cheriton Road ground, that the game will be a tight affair.

“We’ve had two close games with them this year,” Tompkins said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on his way to tonight’s training session.

“Being a Cup final, anything could happen. We’ve rested a few (Players) over the weeks, I see that Hythe have probably done the same thing - it’s a big game for both clubs.”

“I don’t think there will be a lot in it between the two of us.

“They’re a well drilled, well organised, a bit similar to ourselves, quite sound, like us.”

Tompkins believes the more experienced players in his ranks, such as goalkeeper James Wastell and central defender Bill Edwards, will guide the youngsters through.

“Hopefully the experienced players will look after the youngsters,” said Tompkins. “I’ve got a few boys that have won a few Cups, so they’ll look after the younger players.”

Tompkins has challenged his side to win the silverware, so they’ve got something to celebrate later in the day.

“We’ve got our presentation do afterwards so it will be nice to go back there with the Cup,” he said.

“We’ve got our end of season trip to Bognor, for three days, next weekend, so it will be nice to win something and take it down to Bognor.”

And if they do clinch the Kent League Cup from favourites Hythe, Tompkins will be quick to pay tribute to their long-suffering committee.

“We’ve got a few people who have put in a lot of hard work,” said Tompkins. “It would be nice to win the Cup as they’ve been there a long time without success and they’ve put in a lot of hard work.”

Tompkins was talking about Albert Putman (chairman); Phil Legg (vice-chairman); Jim Davey (Secretary) and Ian Birrell, the lifeblood of the north Kent club.

Tompkins, one of the best strikers to hold the ball up to bring other players into the game, during his playing career, revealed that he’ll start the game on the substitutes bench, but hinted he will play some part of what could be his last game.

“This will probably be my last year,” he said. “If we need an old head up front to hold the ball up, we’ll see how it’s going.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering the Kent League Cup Final on Saturday.

Erith Town v Hythe Town
Kent League Cup Final
Saturday 3^rd May 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU