Club History
We started 2007/8 with a new management team led by Andy Leese and, for once, an air of optimism. The previous two years had seen near insolvency, four chairmen, three managers, over eighty players and relegation from the Southern Premier League. The year proved to be very positive, with a great team spirit developing at the club, including both new and existing faces. United finished sixth in the BGB Southern League Midland Division, missing out on the play offs by goal difference, the season culminating with a treble of Berks & Bucks county cups won by the senior, youth and ladies teams.
The story of Chesham United has many highs and many lows. It was formed in 1917 following the merger of Chesham Town FC, founder members of the Southern League in 1894 when still known as just Chesham FC, and Chesham Generals. Relative success in the following years paled into insignificance following the FA Amateur Cup run of 1967/68 when, against all the odds, little Chesham United went all the way from the Preliminary Round to the final of the FA Amateur Cup, finally losing 1-0 to Leytonstone in front of a 54,000 Wembley crowd.
40th Anniversary Wembley Article
The club went into turmoil on May 3rd 1983 when the main stand burned down. A new stand was officially opened with the visit of a Graham Taylor Watford side containing former United manager Luther Blissett in 1984. Season 1987/8 marked the centenary year of non-league football in the town of Chesham, an achievement commemorated with a match against a full strength Arsenal side on 18th August 1987.
In January 1991, promotion and the Division One title were secured. In its inaugural season, the Loctite Final was reached but the match was lost to Bishops Stortford on penalties. In October 1992, the Club went to the very top of the Isthmian league after a famous win at Enfield, where they remained until the end of the season, being crowned Champions on the last day of the season following a 4-0 win over Dulwich Hamlet. Witnessed by an average home gate of just short of 1,000, the season also saw the arrival of ex-Liverpool star Mark Lawrenson. Promotion to the National Conference depended on ground improvements that could not be afforded. So, the season ended in disappointment after so much hard work.
Since those days the club has been through many managers, including ex-England Internationals Graham Roberts and Luther Blissett, and literally hundreds of players, including a stint with Bruce Grobelaar between the sticks.
In the early 2000s the club again had an eye on promotion to the Conference as Bob Dowie led a strong Chesham side to 6th in the Ryman Premier, possibly an under achievement when considering the resources at his disposable. The team that year included Wayne Andrews (now with Coventry City) and Fitz Hall, who moved to QPR in last January’s transfer window.
Two years later and the club were once again relegated back to Division One.
With re-structuring on the horizon, the following season was all about finishing in the top six to gain promotion, avoid relegation, depending on which way you look at it. After a fairly disastrous start, the ever improving side climbed up the table to eventually take 4th spot in the Ryman Division One (North) and earn a place in the Southern League Premier Division.
United’s first year in the Southern League was certainly adventurous. At times they looked title contenders, then they flirted with relegation and in the end were happy to finish in mid-table. The following summer the true price of years of over-achieving came to light. Nearly two decades of wealthy Chairmen helping to fund the club was over and it was time for The Generals to stand on their own feet, a task that proved too much.
By February 2006 the club was truly on its knees. The front pages of local papers were highlighting the sorry plight of the club that had seen so much. A public meeting was called at the Town Hall to “Save Chesham United” – it was a last desperate throw of the dice …
Fortunately the sorry tale has a happy ending. A local businessman read the stories, visited The Meadow, showed an interest and helped get the club back on its feet. Financially, the club is still far from out of the woods but the ship has been steadied, there is a new crew on board and all involved are keen to move forwards, based on prudent financial controls.
Season 2008/9 is a season to develop on 2007/8’s rebuilding. Our league has a number of new clubs and we’re looking forward to renewing some old friendships and making some new ones.
