FA TROPHY: CHASETOWN FC v RADCLIFFE BOROUGH
At the Scholars Ground, home to Staffordshire’s Chasetown FC, there is the tingle of magic in the air. But this isn’t the first time. In November 2005, under the guidance of early-nineties forward Charlie Blakemore, the small club, which normally attracts crowds of 300, drew 1-1 with Oldham Athletic in the first round of the FA Cup, gleaned a television audience of 3.2m and warmed the hearts of many more.
Two years later and they are back in the first round, riding high in the Southern League Division One – the league to which they were promoted in that same monumental 2005-6 season – and are hoping to dispatch of Radcliffe Borough in the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy.
“We have had a fantastic start to the season,” beams Blakemore, who returned to take Chasetown’s managerial reins in 2002. “In total we have only lost two games, and it’s a fairytale to reach the first round of the FA Cup twice – we’re in complete dreamland.
“The magic of the FA Cup and the FA Trophy is very emotional. For a team at our level I sometimes have to pinch myself. It’s hard to believe that this is all going on again. As a non-League manager it is just fantastic to pit your wits against teams with a more resources and bigger budgets.”
And the secret to Chasetown’s success? Beer. “We regularly go out as a group and that helps the togetherness of the team,” admits Blakemore. “At the end of pre-season I took them away for a trip to Taunton, and it’s really bonded them well and they work really hard for each other.
“I roomed all the lads who are normally quiet with noisy ones – mixed them all up a bit. They are a hungry bunch of lads and they work really hard. They have a great team spirit, are fearless and enjoy any challenge that is thrown in front of them.”
On Saturday their challenge will be UniBond First Division North side Radcliffe Borough, who trip down from Bury and are having a time to forget, by and large. Indeed, the FA Trophy – a competition in which they reached the last 16 in 1995-6 – is their final chance of salvaging anything from the season. And this well before the Christmas decorations have been lifted down from the attic.
Gaining only two points from their opening nine league games, bottom of the table, with diminishing crowds and chairman Bernard Manning Jnr stepping down before the New Year, Boro’s situation is no laughing matter. Yet the Chasetown manager remains wary. “Boro are a good side and are no slouches,” he continues.
“I don’t think they have had the best of starts but we will be giving them the respect they deserve. It will not be an easy game. We are going to have to be at our best again, and we are looking forward to meeting them.”
At the Scholars Ground, home to Staffordshire’s Chasetown FC, there is the tingle of magic in the air. But this isn’t the first time. In November 2005, under the guidance of early-nineties forward Charlie Blakemore, the small club, which normally attracts crowds of 300, drew 1-1 with Oldham Athletic in the first round of the FA Cup, gleaned a television audience of 3.2m and warmed the hearts of many more.
Two years later and they are back in the first round, riding high in the Southern League Division One – the league to which they were promoted in that same monumental 2005-6 season – and are hoping to dispatch of Radcliffe Borough in the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy.
“We have had a fantastic start to the season,” beams Blakemore, who returned to take Chasetown’s managerial reins in 2002. “In total we have only lost two games, and it’s a fairytale to reach the first round of the FA Cup twice – we’re in complete dreamland.
“The magic of the FA Cup and the FA Trophy is very emotional. For a team at our level I sometimes have to pinch myself. It’s hard to believe that this is all going on again. As a non-League manager it is just fantastic to pit your wits against teams with a more resources and bigger budgets.”
And the secret to Chasetown’s success? Beer. “We regularly go out as a group and that helps the togetherness of the team,” admits Blakemore. “At the end of pre-season I took them away for a trip to Taunton, and it’s really bonded them well and they work really hard for each other.
“I roomed all the lads who are normally quiet with noisy ones – mixed them all up a bit. They are a hungry bunch of lads and they work really hard. They have a great team spirit, are fearless and enjoy any challenge that is thrown in front of them.”
On Saturday their challenge will be UniBond First Division North side Radcliffe Borough, who trip down from Bury and are having a time to forget, by and large. Indeed, the FA Trophy – a competition in which they reached the last 16 in 1995-6 – is their final chance of salvaging anything from the season. And this well before the Christmas decorations have been lifted down from the attic.
Gaining only two points from their opening nine league games, bottom of the table, with diminishing crowds and chairman Bernard Manning Jnr stepping down before the New Year, Boro’s situation is no laughing matter. Yet the Chasetown manager remains wary. “Boro are a good side and are no slouches,” he continues.
“I don’t think they have had the best of starts but we will be giving them the respect they deserve. It will not be an easy game. We are going to have to be at our best again, and we are looking forward to meeting them.”
Labels: Chasetown FC, FA Trophy, Radcliffe Borough
