A healthy contingent of Kent footballers helped England Veterans retain the Seniors World Cup.

New Whitstable manager Jamie Coyle, 41, was a mainstay as the over-40s triumphed in Bangkok, Thailand, edging out New Zealand 1-0 in the final earlier this month.

He was joined in the England squad by Chatham’s Matt Bodkin and No.2 goalkeeper Lee Hook, who was part of Ben Smith’s Ramsgate management team last season as the Rams made the FA Cup second round, where they lost to League 2 AFC Wimbledon.

Coyle explained: “Most of the players are based up north or in the Midlands.

“Paul Bell, the manager, said to me ‘If you know a few guys that might want to help out, just let me know’.

“Now, I’m getting a few messages from people like [Ashford boss] Danny Kedwell. Paul is sort of using me as a bit of a southern scout for players that are still fit and now in their 40s.

“Bods and Hooky are good mates of mine. I played with Hooky at Sittingbourne when I was 17 and it was similar with Bods at Maidstone. They did really well.”

Former Margate, Dartford, Welling, Maidstone, Ramsgate and Erith & Belvedere defender Coyle even led England Veterans in a campaign-opening goalless draw with Australia.

They progressed through their group, which also contained the hosts and Vietnam, on goal difference and then saw off Iran 1-0 in their final-four fixture despite being reduced to 10 men.

Tournament hero Steve Jones, formerly of Crewe and Burnley, bagged seven goals across the competition, including the only goal of the final with Bodkin starting that game as well. It was the seventh time England have won the Seniors World Cup.

On the overall experience, Coyle said: “It was brilliant. I had the opportunity to captain the team for the opening game against Australia. I did it last year, as well.

“You only see the football side but we went to the local schools to do a bit of coaching and took out some kit for the youngsters. It was a really rewarding trip.”

As Coyle prepares to lead Whitstable’s Southern Counties East Premier Division promotion push, having left Glebe, he intends to focus purely on life in the dugout rather than on the pitch.

“I’ve still got a little bit of motivation to keep myself ticking over,” he said. “But it was a nice way to officially hang the boots up in non-league football terms.

“We had five games in six days - in 62-degree humidity! It helped that I had a full playing season under my belt this time. Now, I’m really looking forward to trying to be successful at Whitstable.”