FAVERSHAM TOWN FC have lots and lots of items to go under the hammer at an auction of prizes, promises and sport memorabilia in aid of their Salters Lane Restoration Fund.

Professional football clubs including Birmingham, Brighton and Wycombe have donated goodies for the fund-raiser which will follow the club’s golf tournament, the Bob Mason Classic, at Boughton Golf Club on Friday, October 15.

Former England manager Graham Taylor has also backed the campaign to breathe fresh life into the crisis club by gifting a training kit from his days as boss of Aston Villa.

But Town trustee Ray Leader revealed that one of the most exciting lots he had received so far had come from former Deal Town manager Tommy Sampson.

Dartford boss Tommy has donated an FA box set of the 18 programmes from the final season at Wembley Stadium in 1999/2000 and football historian Ray has already raided his piggy bank in the hope of acquiring the lot for himself.

Ray said: “This is a tremendous gift for any football fan. I quite fancy it myself to be honest. We cannot thank Tommy enough for this generous gift. The box set will be a star attraction at the auction and we are hoping it will raise a tidy sum for the fund.

“Tommy guided Deal Town to FA Vase glory under the famous Twin Towers that season thanks to a 1-0 victory over Chippenham Town with the goal coming from Faversham Town old boy Roly Graham.

“The following season, Tommy travelled the length and breadth of the country with the trophy as an FA ambassador and Soho Square chiefs gave him the commemorative box set in recognition of his services.”

Ray added: “It’s ironic that Faversham Town is not one of the many clubs that Tommy has either played for or managed.

“But it’s a measure of the man that he is prepared to part with such a precious memento to help us out.”

Keen golfer Sampson, who plays off a six handicap, has entered a team for the Bob Mason Classic and is happy to do his bit to help Town in their first major fund-raising event.

He insisted: “I’ve been to Salters Lane many times over the years and I would hate to see it disappear as a football venue.

“I’m looking forward to the golf day and meeting up with some old friends.

“The programmes are a great gift for any football fan. Wembley holds such happy memories for me.

“Let’s keep our fingers crossed they raise a good few quid for the club.”

The boxed set of programmes, which includes England v Brazil and the infamous 1-0 defeat to Germany that cost Kevin Keegan the manager’s job, comes complete with a booklet of reports and statistics from each game as well as a certificate of authenticity.

Ray has also managed to secure a number of promises for the auction including a day for two at an exclusive health spa in the picturesque village of Ickham, just outside Canterbury.

The TOR Spa Retreat, as featured in the Sunday Times Style magazine, is a holistic retreat that specialises in Ayurvedic therapies - ancient Indian massage techniques to the uninitiated.

Town are expecting more than 80 golfers to enter the Bob Mason Classic but are still waiting for a number of teams to confirm their place.

All teams that have yet to return their entry forms are asked to do so as soon as possible so the club can finalise their arrangements.

Anyone still wanting to enter a team of four for £200 is asked to ring or text 078111 82652.

Non-golfers are also invited to call the number to book a table for the dinner and auction with the two-course meal costing £15.