It’s been another surreal week at The Meadow, I feel there is so much to say that I don’t know what to say; overwhelmed with the incredible work people have undertaken around the club to so seamlessly prepare us for what will be one of the biggest days in this club’s history on Monday 4th November.
You may have seen pictures on social media of the scaffolding going up around the ground in preparation for the television cameras, that is just a small taste of what is going on behind the scenes in preparation. We have a huge number of guests, visitors and FA officials attending the match which we need to prepare for, and ticket sales are shifting very nicely. As mentioned last week, we have organised the release of tickets in phases to ensure that season ticket holders and regular supporters do not miss out. However, please do not panic, there are still plenty of tickets available as we have significantly increased the capacity from the 3,000 we had for last seasons First Round game against Maidstone United.
Tickets are currently available to season ticket holders and supporters that have previously purchased via our online ticketing system until midday tomorrow (Saturday). These are the only supporters able to purchase tickets (and away fans have their allocation obviously) at this very moment, with general release details to be announced after that once we’ve reviewed the numbers. However, we have also reached out to those supporters that we know of that may not have access to the internet or unable to buy online. If you, or you know a fellow supporter that falls into this category, then please help them to purchase their ticket or contact us at press@cheshamunited.co.uk and we will try our best to help make the necessary arrangements. No supporter, that has frequently attended games in the past should miss out, assuming they want to be at the match of course!
There are many other things going on, including the supply of additional toilets to cater for the increased crowds and the stewarding is essential to get right. We will also be producing a bumper, 60-page, commemorative matchday programme for the game. There will only be 1,000 copies available, we are currently looking into whether it’s feasible to have these available to order in advance – keep an eye on social media for more about that. Interestingly, when we contacted Lincoln City for information for the programme, there was an element of surprise as it seems the matchday programme is the exception rather than the norm in League One. To us it is still a crucial part of the matchday experience, enabling us to engage with supporters and our local business partners to build on the community feeling. As an example, I am not sure many clubs will have a local healthcare sponsor writing health tip articles for supporters in every programme – look out for the article from Chiltern & Shelburne Hospitals in the FA Cup programme, an essential read for all men.
Aside from the FA Cup there is the small matter of a league campaign going on, our first ever in the National League South. It has been a wonderful start to the season in a fantastic league where the margins are so fine, and you cannot afford to switch off for a single minute. We are starting to build a reputation for late drama, and we certainly lived up to that reputation on Tuesday night with our home match against Chippenham Town. Off the pace for 80 minutes, we looked to be heading for another narrow home defeat. However, home fans now know not to leave games early and sure enough we equalised in the 87th minute, took the lead in the 88th minute and sealed the victory in the 97th minute – honestly, you couldn’t make it up, it is like watching a live version of the comic strip Roy of the Rovers (those of a certain age will understand).
That result leaves us 12th in the table, just inside the top half, where you find yourself looking down thinking that we want to build a gap between us and the bottom four relegation places, but equally you can’t help having a glance upwards and thinking, is a top seven play-off spot really out of our reach?
Tomorrow we travel to Enfield Town, another side that was promoted like us last season. They are currently in the bottom four and will be looking at us as an opportunity to pick-up three points to boost their league position, and perhaps even thinking our minds may be distracted by the FA Cup. If that is the case, I believe they will be disappointed. I’ve said it before, but I cannot overstate how impressed I am with the squad we have at the club this season, and the management skills of JD and Muzza. We are not just a team, we are a squad that is fully supportive of each other and allows players to rest when needed and maintain focus. I do believe that has helped us to have a good FA Cup run and still maintain a solid league position, and I believe the players will be fully focused on playing Enfield tomorrow. I am sure many fans will again be in attendance, your support has been magnificent this year, I look forward to seeing you at the game.
Meanwhile, Chesham’s women played in round one of the Berks & Bucks Senior Women’s Cup on Sunday and recorded a solid 3-0 away win against New Bradwell St. Peter. They now meet Penn & Tylers Green in the quarter-final. Before that they travel to Real Bedford on Sunday 22nd and then travel to Fulham FC Women in the 1st round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup on Sunday 3rd November. They’ll be hoping to report a positive result before we take on Lincoln City on the Monday evening! If you get the chance, please do get along to support our women’s team in action.
Tickets are also now on sale for our Fireworks event on Friday 1st November – click here to book your place. This is always a fantastic and well-attended event, so please do buy your tickets in advance, we are once again pulling out all the stops to make it the best shows around. With the added extra of terracing, covered areas and a large clubhouse, there is no better place to safely watch a professional fireworks display with your family, friends and loved ones.
Thank you for your support and thank you for being a part of this journey.
Peter Brown
