It is now starting to sink in that we are the Champions of the Southern League Premier South and will be moving up to the second tier of non-league football next season. The smile has not yet left my face since it was confirmed, and it was certainly still there last weekend when a fantastic crowd of over 1,400 turned up at The Meadow to support the champions against a strong Salisbury side, who themselves are pushing for promotion via the play-offs. That fact that we controlled the game for long periods and won the match 2-1 is testament once again to the professionalism of the team we have put together this season.
It is important that we maintain that level of commitment and integrity across our remaining three games, all of which are against sides with something to play for still. Starting tomorrow when we make the long trip to Tiverton Town. Our hosts will be hoping to catch us with a promotion hangover as they battle against relegation. I know that many of you are making the journey down to Tiverton, that is hugely appreciated and do have a safe journey. The following week we play host to Bracknell Town in our final home league game of the season. Whilst we will be planning a massive title winning celebration, we must also remember that Bracknell will be scrapping for points to get into the play-offs in a hope of joining us in the National League South. It is only right for the sake of the league and in fairness to all sides in contention that we treat this match like any other and go all out for the win. The same applies the following weekend when we travel to Gosport Borough for our last game of the season, Gosport will be after the points to secure a home tie in the play-offs. The Supporters Trust are running a supporters coach to Gosport on our final day in the Southern League, departing the Meadow @ 11am, to book on the coach, go to the Trust website and follow the info there
I must also say a big thank you to Salisbury whose players welcomed us on to the pitch last Saturday with a guard of honour, something they announced that they would do as soon as it was confirmed that this would be our first outing since being crowned champions. A wonderful gesture, a credit to their club and I wish them well for the rest of the season.
Our resident statto has been busy this week. Last Saturday’s crowd was the first time we have had successive home games with crowds of over 1,000 since we started the 1998/99 season with 1016 v Enfield and then 1181 v Aldershot Town. Why were the crowds so big for these games? Many of you may well remember this was the season that we started with the former Liverpool legend Bruce Grobelaar in goal, which had a massive impact on the gates. (More so than it did the performances!).
Apparently there are no records of us having had three successive home games with crowds of over 1,000, with the Bracknell Town game next week coinciding with promotion celebrations, there is every chance we will change that fact – put the date in your diary, and remember to please buy your tickets in advance online
While we were all celebrating promotion (look at that wanton use of the ‘P’ word!) our women’s team were in action on Sunday away at London Seaward. I’m pleased to report they came away with a hard-fought point courtesy of a brilliant goal from Tash Smith. Go and find it on X (Twitter) if you haven’t seen it! With that point and Cambridge City / Haywards Heath Town both losing we can now confirm that Chesham will be playing Tier 4 football once more next season. Congratulations! The 1st team now have a weekend off but are back in action again on Sunday 21st April at home against QPR FC Women (2pm kick-off). The Development Squad also have a game this Sunday against Milton United Ladies – 2pm at Chiltern Hills Academy.
Football at The Meadow continues into May as for the second year running we host the Alex Horne Comedy Football March – another bumper crowd expected. Alex has once again persuaded a lot of funny people off the telly, some other famous people and a couple of actual footballers to play another game at Chesham United in the hope of winning the greatest trophy in football – the Alex Horne’s Comedy Football Trophy. There will be football, along with all of the usual shenanigans you would expect from comedy football – new rules, managers in the centre circle, singing, half time entertainment and extreme levels of exhaustion. Tickets can be purchased via the website: £12 Adults, £10 Concessions, £8 18-23year-olds, £5 Under 18s, £1 Under 12s with a special matchday programme available on the day for £3.
One of our other successes this season has been the sales of merchandise, not just the replica shirt, but a wide range of products from the Chesham United and Taskmaster collection. You will have seen that we launched special Home & Away shirts – there are just nine days left to order these, they are available for a limited period only. We do still have S, M, 3XL, 4XL & 5XL in stock at £35 in white and yellow shirts. S, 3,4,5XL in stock of home shirts, plus plenty of orange and green goalkeeper ones at the special price of £35. We also have a huge stock of comedy match scarves and next week Champions T-Shirts will be in stock, please be aware, these are selling fast!!
Also due in next week are Chesham United bucket hats, so there are plenty of opportunities to get your hands on club colours for the remainder of the season and in preparation for our first ever season in the National League South starting in August…that still sounds good doesn’t it!
Thanks for your support.
Peter Brown, Chairman
