‘REAL’ CHATS ARE TALK OF THE TOWN THESE DAYS
CHATHAM Town have benefitted from a massive influx of fans disillusioned with the Premier League, says chairman-manager Kevin Hake as the club stand on the brink of elevation to National League South.
The Chats have averaged 1,700 supporters through the turnstiles at the Bauvill Stadium this season and a capacity crowd of 3,000 is expected for the Pitching In Premier Division playoff final against Enfield Town tomorrow.
It is all a far cry from just a few short years ago when Chatham were attracting around 100 followers to home matches. Now, their growing fanbase could be rewarded with Step 2 football but Hake empathises with those who have turned their back on the top flight.
“The Premier League has helped. People are just a bit disillusioned with the upper echelons of the game I think. They want to see things that are real,” said the Town supremo.
“In Non-League you get to speak to the players, you feel a part of it. It’s more pure than the higher levels of the game are now. I’m not the only person who says that either.
“The professional game is out of touch for many people. Who can afford to take their family to a match? You can’t get anywhere near the players now and just look at the decision to scrap FA Cup replays.”
Jamie Yila fired the winning penalty in Wednesday’s 4-3 shootout victory against Horsham to send the Chats through to the play-off final, following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.
Kareem Isiaka had given them the lead in extra-time before James Hammond levelled at the death to force spot-kicks.
“There’s a lot of belief and spirit at this club and part of that comes from what we tell the players, what it takes to play for Chatham Town,” added Hake.
“It’s not necessarily based all on ability, you have to know how it feels to be a Chatham player. Embracing the community work we do helps. We have a great relationship with the local council and we feel we have an obligation to serve the community.
“That could be helping with loneliness, poverty or social integration. We live in an area of deprivation here but we do what we can.”
Town are chasing a third successive promotion and Hake’s men sat in second place for most of the campaign, with Hornchurch the runaway champions finishing 21 points clear.
He said: “It’s always been the dream to take the club through the leagues but no matter what happens on Monday it’s been a great season.”