Chertsey can beat the big boys!

By Paul Martin, Sportsbeat

Kevin Maclaren lifted the FA Vase in 2019 but the Chertsey Town player-manager believes an FA Cup victory over Southend United this weekend would be the biggest result in the club’s history.

The Pitching In Isthmian League South Central outfit ply their trade three divisions below the Shrimpers and have already made new ground by getting this far, reaching the fourth qualifying round for the first time in their 132-year history.

Maclaren’s side overcame higher-division Chesham United two rounds ago before becoming the first team to beat Jersey Bulls on their own turf last time out, setting up a plum tie with a team who saw their 101-year spell in the Football League brought to an end in May.

“Southend were definitely the biggest team we could have got,” Maclaren said. “Personally, I’d have liked a team at home but if it wasn’t going to be that, it doesn’t get much bigger than Southend away at this stage.

“Southend are a completely different animal to the teams we have faced before and we are massive underdogs but the players are thriving on that.

“I think it would surpass the Vase if we won. In the Vase, we were the highest level in the competition whereas to get to the first round proper of the FA Cup, we’ll have had to beat teams from divisions higher than us.

“If we beat Southend on Saturday, it will be the biggest win in the club’s history, for sure.”

Maclaren’s confidence has been boosted by the current situation at Roots Hall, with Southend currently 20th in the National League having lost five of their last six games. Boss Phil Brown was sacked after the most recent of those, a 4-0 reverse at home to Chesterfield, and Maclaren hopes his side can heap further misery on their illustrious hosts on Saturday.

“There seems to be a bit of turmoil at the club so it’s not the worst time to play them,” he said.
“We’ve watched their last few games and they’re not performing well.

“I’d have fancied our chances a little bit more if Phil Brown was still in charge, just because if a new manager is appointed before the weekend they might get a bounce and give the place a lift.

“Whenever you play a professional team, they’ll be that bit quicker, fitter and stronger but away from that the margins are quite small.

“We’re full of good players who can cause them problems and I believe we have the quality of the squad to cause a massive upset.”

Chertsey are one of more than 200 clubs across the Trident Leagues to be supported by Pitching In, a landmark grassroots sporting investment programme established by Ladbrokes with the support of its owner Entain.

In addition to financial support, the initiative places emphasis on the importance of volunteering and community within non-league football and Maclaren is looking forward to hearing the travelling support in full voice this weekend.

“I’d anticipate we’ll bring around 300, maybe more, and I know everyone is looking forward to their big day by the seaside,” he said. “An FA Cup run always brings that extra buzz and hopefully we can still be in the hat on Sunday.

“Our incentive is about leaving a legacy and making history. We’ve done that in one respect by getting this far but we want the biggest scalp this club’s ever had and that’s Southend United.

“We want Chertsey supporters to be talking about this day for years to come.”

Ladbrokes, with the support of its owner Entain, has launched a multi-million pound investment programme, Pitching In, designed to support and promote grassroots sports. For more details see: https://entaingroup.com/sustainability/pitching-in/