Chatham Town is preparing for a historic FA Cup clash, marking their first appearance in the tournament’s first round in 97 years. The team will face Buxton Town from Derbyshire in a highly anticipated match on Saturday.
Historic FA Cup Journey
Chatham Town’s journey to this stage has been remarkable, with the club winning four qualifying matches. Their victories include:
- Marlow: 4–0 (home)
- Ashford United: 3–0 (away)
- Deal Town: 3–1 (home)
- Tonbridge Angels: 3–1 (away)
Fans have shown tremendous support, with the club quickly selling out its allocation of 500 tickets for the match. Local supporter Paul Rogers expressed his excitement, calling it a “once in a lifetime” experience for the community. He shared, “In the future, hopefully it won’t be, but as we stand at the moment, it’s Chatham Town making a new bit of history.”
Personal Stories and Community Impact
For some fans, this journey has profound personal significance. Paul Rogers, who has battled agoraphobia, credits watching Chatham Town as a pivotal factor in overcoming his challenges. He noted, “It became a lifeline for me,” after initially attending only three games in a season to subsequently watching 98 games the next.
Rogers also contributed to a celebratory song for the club, featuring an 87-year-old fan who first watched Chatham Town in 1954. Since he cannot attend away games, fans plan to bring a life-sized cardboard cut-out of him to the match to honor his spirit.
Club Leadership’s Pride
Kevin Hake, the club’s chairman and manager, described the forthcoming match as a proud moment for everyone associated with Chatham Town. “The FA Cup has that magic about it; it brings clubs and communities together,” he remarked. Hake emphasized that the impact of this match goes beyond football, stating, “It’s huge for the club, the town, the fans, everyone behind the scenes.”
As anticipation builds in the community, support is visible with red shirts becoming a common sight around town. This FA Cup run has fostered a strong sense of unity and excitement among Chatham residents, signifying far more than just a sporting event.
A Glimpse into History
Chatham Town’s last notable record in the FA Cup dates back to the 1888-89 season, where they reached the quarter-finals. In that season, they experienced a heavy defeat, losing 10-1 to West Bromwich Albion after a thrilling 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest in a replay.
This upcoming FA Cup match against Buxton Town stands to be a landmark moment for Chatham Town, a testament to the team’s resilience, the community spirit, and a shared dream coming to fruition after nearly a century.
