In a season full of firsts and memorable moments, last Saturday was right up there. The elation of seeing over 100 supporters in Torquay was matched by the joy of seeing our team pulling off a fantastic result. Not for the first time this season, the opposition club and fans were unhappy because our managers worked out a plan to nullify them and their management team couldn’t work out a way around it! They seem to think we should roll over for them! You supporters were immense and I really can’t thank you all enough for your efforts before, during and after the game. I am told there were a fair few sore heads the next day in Torquay!
It was fabulous seeing us win wearing our white third shirt. We’re undefeated in that kit and secured a first ever win over Torquay in the process! I have to point out that the hospitality to the board members was excellent, but less so to our players and management team. When they returned to their dressing room after the game, they found 3 large pizza’s and a large box of chips left in the room on the floor. That is a far cry from how we treat all semi-pro players at matches at The Meadow, where all of the opposition sides have applauded the chef and us for the offering that we provide.
Unfortunately, that is not the first time this season where it seems post/match care for players has been little more than an afterthought. While we may not have the same level of resources as some other teams in this division, we will always look to meet the same requirements that we had in the Southern League, where it was compulsory to provide food for our opponents and space to sit and eat properly. After all if you had a pizza takeaway after a hard days work, do you take it into the bathroom with your dirty clothes and sit in a bath or shower eating pizza?? We don’t expect our players to have to do so.
The good mood generated by last Saturday’s result continued throughout the week thanks to our Under-18s side. Firstly, they had a hard fought win under lights on Monday night winning the League Cup semi-final against Harpenden. After the match finished 2-2, the penalty shoot-out was not looking good after we missed our first two spot kicks. but our young keeper pulled off three excellent save to help us win the shoot out 4-3. The final is on May 18th at a venue to be advised, so please keep an eye open for details.
Then, on Thursday, the young Generals won both games in a double header fixture with Kings Langley (with two games of 60 minutes apiece) to clinch the Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League Pegasus Division title. A terrific effort.
Around the ground, it was great to see the new gantry structure up and in place and a far better view in the stand now with only two poles inside the ground and the rest outside it with a proper stairway to it. And tomorrow’s game will see something new appearing in the clubhouse bar as one of our suppliers has produced a special craft lager called Generals Lager. If it goes down well, it will become the special lager at the Alex Horne Comedy Trophy match on 10th May. Tickets are selling first so don’t forget to get yours as soon as possible for what is bound to be another hugely enjoyable day.
Speaking of tickets, sales for the Treorchy Male choir on 7th June are also going very well now and heading for another sell out. Please buy yours as soon as possible as we are assured of a great night’s entertainment. And if you are after a Chesham United shirt still, we are nearly sold out of home shirts now and with a special sale price of £30 available on all Home, Away and 3rd shirts that we have left in stock, as well as the first availability this Saturday of the new club scarf at £12.50 from the shop in the Chess Suite or online.
Over the last few weeks, we have been delighted to have formally appointed Lee Wiles as the club’s safeguarding officer after he successfully passed to become the senior club’s Safeguarding Officer which is another advance forward for our club in compliance. A lot of you already know Lee, but if you have any safeguarding questions please contact Lee directly on safeguarding@cheshamunited.co.uk. Welcome and thank you Lee for taking on the essential important post.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s game, the pitch is very bumpy but incredibly dry so we are watering the pitch all week to try and get back some semblance of a decent playing area for our match against another very good team in Farnborough. I do so hope to see a huge crowd supporting our lads who have excelled in our first season in the National league South. Your vocal support brings so much more to the team so get yourself and your positive voices with us this Saturday.
Finally, I have some sad news as we were very saddened to hear of the loss of Andrew Mayne at only 65 this week. He was a lifelong supporter of Chesham since he was a toddler. We offer sincere condolences to all Andrew’s Family and friends.
