Club prepares for 'once in a lifetime' FA Cup game

Chatham captain Reece Butler said the club's win against Tonbridge Angels was "like something out of a film"

A fan has labelled Chatham Town's run to the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in 97 years a "once in a lifetime" experience.

Chatham Town will play Buxton Town, from Derbyshire, on Saturday and the Kent side has sold out its 500-ticket allocation.

Supporter Paul Rogers said: "It's a once in a lifetime thing. In the future hopefully it won't be, but as we stand at the moment it's Chatham Town making a new bit of history, so it's incredibly exciting."

Chatham reached this stage after winning four qualifying matches — beating Marlow 4–0 at home, Ashford United 3–0 away, Deal Town 3–1 at home, and Tonbridge Angels 3–1 away.

Mr Rogers has been able to travel to the game as the vice-chairman has lent him £100 for petrol, which he will pay back.

He said watching Chatham Town was significant for him as it helped him tackle his agoraphobia - which is a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult.

Mr Rogers said watching the club helped him deal with his agoraphobia

"It became a lifeline for me," he said. "Having gone to three games in one season, it then became 98 games the second season, watching youth team games and lower level games and reserve games."

He also helped create a song for the club to celebrate their run in the competition.

He said: "Bigger teams make FA Cup final songs, I think Chatham Town are a little bit different, and 97 years without appearing in the first round presents a story that you can quite easily write into lyrics."

The end of the song features the voice of an 87-year-old fan who first watched the club in 1954.

He is unable to travel to away games so fans are bringing a life-sized cardboard cut-out of the man so he can be there in spirit.

Kevin Hake, chairman and manager of the club, said the upcoming match was a "really proud moment for everyone".

'Not just football'

He added: "It's huge for the club, the town, the fans, everyone behind the scenes.

"The FA Cup's got that magic about it, it brings clubs, communities together and the buzz around town for the last few weeks really since the Tonbridge game has been unbelievable."

Hake said the game against Buxton was "not just about football".

He explained: "We are from Chatham, we know we get looked down upon in society - I have done all my life really, being Chatham born and bred - but you look around the town this week and when you see the red shirts everywhere, it's what the cup has done. It's brought people together."

Club captain Reece Butler said the win against Tonbridge Angels was "like something out of a film".

"It was unbelievable," he said.

"I've been at the club for the best part of 10 years, so that moment there is probably up there as the best moment I've had."

The furthest Chatham Town had previously reached in the competition was the quarter finals in the 1888-89 season.

They were reported to have lost 10-1 to holders West Bromwich Albion after beating Nottingham Forest 3-2 in a replay in the round before.