Best of 2007: The FA Cup Dream

My friend from university told me that if there was one match I had to see this year, it was Chasetown (his team) against Port Vale in the FA Cup second round. So on Tuesday Dec. 11, I travelled by train with him to check it out.

Chasetown had done well to get this far. At Port Vale's home ground, they had drawn the away game 1-1 in what had been a fiercely contested match. The Minnows, as the press have lovingly dubbed them so far, have had to play six competitive matches to get to this point.

However, I was naturally dubious. Firstly I had never heard of Chasetown and secondly the last time I watched Port Vale they had beaten my team Charlton 1-2 in a very tight and tense atmosphere (not a happy memory). I was not exactly looking forward to spending a cold, dark evening at a little known football ground in the other end of the country, but my friend insisted and there we were, freezing cold, waiting for the kickoff.

Chasetown suddenly came alive. Though there were barely two thousand supporters, they were still louder than the fans at either Craven Cottage or the Riverside the month before. (When I get offered to go to a football match, everything else gets put on hold!)

The whistle blew and for once I could say or do nothing, only watch. I knew none of the players names or any of the songs, but I was enthralled. Chasetown have a very real spirit and play wonderful football. Oh, they know Manchester United play better, and so do I, but it's not really how they play, rather a combination of how and why.

It wasn't just for money, it wasn't for glory (Chasetown are non-league and 101 places below Port Vale)—it was for the love of the game. And what a game it was. I could not pick out many moments, there was a cheeky nutmeg on a Port Vale player early on that drew applause, and then possible disaster.

Vaughn Thomas (whose name I read out seconds before the incident in the programme) fouled Port Vale's Calum Wilcock in the penalty box, and the ground fell silent, but only briefly. Then something rather magical happened.

All of the Chasetown supporters, including my friend, started singing for the keeper as the Port Vale striker, Luke Rodgers, waited to take the penalty. In unison, and in beautiful tones, they sang and it is only a pity that no one took a recording of it.

Rodgers hit the crossbar and the ground became a frenzy! Chasetown were still in it and I was still enthralled. A second penalty could have killed them and it nearly did, but thankfully Rodgers' shot was saved this time. The luck of the gods was smiling on Chasetown, but hey, they were battling for it with every ounce of passion a real football club can muster.

I don't actually remember much of the game—I was starting to get into it, my mate singing with the rest, and then the shock of our lives! Chasetown striker Danny Smith (whose name I only know now, again, because of that same programme and the singing afterwards) scored, heading the ball home after a cross from a Chasetown midfield player, Perry.

The applause and cheering continued long after the final whistle went and I went home that evening entertained—but also wiser. Chasetown have now gone through seven rounds to reach the third round of the FA cup—the only non-league team still in the competition and the one who has played the most matches to get there.

On January 5th, when you listen for the results, listen out for Chasetown. And hope.

They are the best football club of 2007, for reminding us what real football is all about.