I must start with the great quote from Julius Ceasar: “Vendi, Vidi, Vici.” Appropriate when reflecting on a superb performance to get our first three points from a game this season at St Albans (or Verulamium as known as in the olden days) last Saturday. To be able to say that we restricted our opposition to just one shot on target, whilst we created countless chances at the other end, shows how much we deserved the win and dominated the game, but it also highlights the fine margins there are in this league as we left it late to score the winning goal. It was a fantastic performance and once again proved that we are not out of place in this league.
Similarly on Monday when we lost out to full-time opponents Torquay United in front of a superb crowd of over 1,500 at The Meadow. I think we more than held our own, were probably even the better team in the first-half and deservedly took the lead before the game turned just before the interval when we picked up a red card in conceding a penalty, which was converted, leaving us with just ten men for all of the second-half, against full-time opponents, just 48 hours after an exhausting win at St Albans City, it was only going to go one way, wasn’t it?
You would have thought so, but it did not turn out like that. We were magnificent and even went ahead again in the match to lead 2-1, but as our opponents emptied their bench with fresh legs, the pressure got too much and it was heart-breaking to concede two goals, with the winner coming in the 95th minute. Even at 2-2 their goalkeeper was forced into a magnificent save which, as their manager, Paul Wotton, graciously said in his post-match interview, would have killed them off. Credit to their manager, he said that we fully deserved to take something out of the match, and I cannot argue with that, but we must press on, and draw on the so many positives that have come from the last two matches.
Football is a passionate game and we are going to have so many highs and lows over the coming season (hopefully more of the former) and it is going to be so important that we all stick together if we are to continue this wonderful journey we have been on for the past 18 months – players, management, officials, volunteers and supporters, we must all be united through thick and thin. I know I cannot control what everyone says or does, but it is disheartening to read some of the comments on social media that are picking out individuals to blame for goals conceded. It is a team game and in fact when I sat down and watched some of the action with one of our managers, James Duncan, this week, you will see that there are other players not following the game plan which leads to creating the chance that ended up with the cross, handball and penalty that potentially turned the Torquay game. It is not all as black and white as first seems when you watch a game live. That is why we employ managers; they see the game with a more rational head. Of course, football supporters will discuss incidents, share opinions, but at Chesham United we are all in this together and will not be appointing any blame. As always, when posting on social media, please think about who reads it and how they might feel. One Club.
So early in the season we have faced some really tough games, but in each and every one of them we have been competitive and looked at home in this league. We have a very new set of players and will only get better, we are going to need the whole squad (currently 18, with a couple more fighting back to fitness) over the coming months because there will be more full-time opposition ahead, and more tough games. I have every confidence that we will be competitive, we could easily have had five or six points more than we currently have if it was not for fine margins, and that would give the league table a very different look today.
A special mention to our support, at home and away, it has been magnificent and vociferous which the players hugely appreciate. At the risk of drawing on another negative – it has been a superb week and I am extremely happy, but these things need addressing! – I would ask that those behind the goal give some consideration to where they are, who they are representing and who else is in the ground when selecting some of the chants. I know it is football, I know what it is like, I was a football fan through the 80s and 90s and I know it is a place where you almost expect colourful language, but it is not what the majority of people attending matches want to hear.
I have had several people make comments to me about the liberal use of the f-word. I don’t want to be a party-pooper, there have been some fantastic original songs sung, but it is in the ground rules that foul and abusive language can lead to expulsion from the ground. I am not threatening that when you are being so passionate, but asking that we work together to create a club that we can all be proud of. Torquay Unite brought around 5-600 supporters to The Meadow on Saturday. Be under no illusions, that was a massive boost to our income and ability to play at this level. We should be thanking them, not suggesting they “go home.” Lecture over, your support is hugely appreciated by all, but let’s keep it to something everyone would willingly get behind and make The Meadow crowd our 12th man (or 11th if we get another sending off!).
Our next two games are away, we do still have spaces available on the coach for the trip to Salisbury on Tuesday, leaving The Meadow at 4.00pm. If you are interested in reserving a space please contact Mike Dragisic via secretary@cheshamunited.co.uk, the cost is just £20 for a seat – first come first served. Before that it is a trip around the M25 and up the A2, unless travelling by train, as we take on Welling United, who have had a good start to the season and will provide another tough challenge, but we have nothing to fear and will be travelling in belief that we can come away with maximum points. Your support would be much appreciated, we know can make a difference.
Our women’s team were celebrating on Sunday as they came back from Ashford Town with three points and a 3-1 win, including two goals from 16-year-old Sophie Birkett who had only picked up her GCSE results the day before. With two games played Chesham are now in 5th place and are preparing for a trip to Cambridge United this Sunday. Their next home game is a big one in the FA WNL Cup against Watford FC Women Thursday on 5th September (7:45pm) – please do come along and give them your support.
Another footballing date for your diary, but away from the club, is Monday 23rd September when the Elgiva Theatre is hosting a special evening with Pat Nevin and Paul Merson, former Chelsea and Arsenal legends respectively. I will be going along to this event, which should be a fun and interesting evening, and would recommend it to anyone else who was a fan of either of these clubs, or indeed football itself, in the 1980s and early 90s.
Finally, we, along with our kit manufacturers, have come up with five new white shirt designs for the third shirt for this season which will have all the sponsors names and logos on it and will be worn during the season in live matches. Please check into our website and social media for the chance to vote for your choice. You have the option to vote for your favourite, any others that you like (and those that you may dislike) – our supporters will decide. Voting closes at 23.59 on Thursday 12th September and the winner will be announced in these notes on the Friday. Click here to vote.
Thank you as always for your magnificent support, I feel as though we are still only a part of the way along this wonderful journey we have started, let’s work together, one club, and see where we can take Chesham United over this coming season.
Peter Brown
