Cup fever for the Ambers

By Jack Lacey-Hatton, Sportsbeat

Cup fever has gripped Cheshunt FC ahead of a trip to Stockport County which has been described as ‘the biggest in our history’ by one of the club’s dedicated volunteers.

The Ambers have reached the FA Vase last eight and earned promotions in recent years but nothing compares to the trek north to face the former Football League club in the FA Trophy fifth round on Saturday.

For this Pitching In Isthmian League Premier Division team from a small corner of Hertfordshire, the last 16 is unprecedented territory.

This is the furthest they have ever gone in the competition and the reward is a trip to a side who currently top the National League and were in League Two as recently as 2011.

“It’s the biggest game in the club’s history,” said committee member Paul Forsey.
“We’ve never been to a larger ground in recent years. We’ve got a coach taking all our youth sides, a fans coach, another going up on the Friday including players and committee members – and these are all full.

“A lot of other people are making the trip as well so we are hoping to have over 250 supporters there.
“We’ve got a real community feel and it’s great to see the team do well. The players are all brilliant lads who’ll have a drink in the bar after the game.”

Cheshunt are one of more than 200 clubs across the Trident Leagues supported by Pitching In, a multi-million-pound grassroots sport investment programme established by Ladbrokes with the support of its owner Entain.

In addition to financial support, the initiative highlights the importance of volunteers in non-league football and another committee member, Howard Kenyon, who is in charge of overseeing the club’s communications, can’t wait for the weekend.

“Every single supporter is hugely excited,” he said.
“The scarves are selling like hot cakes and everyone at the club is taking phone calls all the time.
“I also do the tannoy on matchdays and that is where I really I get a sense of the club.
“I’m accessible to all the fans and love chatting to them, whether that be the youth team coaches or some of the older fans who have been coming for 30 years.

“I almost feel sorry for kids today that support the big clubs because they are almost supporting them from afar. They don’t get to chat with their heroes like at Cheshunt.”

It’s a similar feeling for Forsey, who has become another key member of the team that ensures matchday operations at Theobalds Lane run smoothly.

“It’s coming up to around six years since I first got involved now,” he said.
“I first got involved when my son, who has special needs, was looking for a club but we couldn’t find anything.

“[Club secretary] Neil Harrison said Cheshunt had a few inclusive teams. They asked me and my son to come along and it has just evolved from then really, we got hooked. “My son even works there these days as the assistant groundsman!

“We used to go to Spurs, but haven’t been there in a while because we are just so involved here.
“It’s the people that draw you in, and they are why you come back.”

Attendances have already swelled at Cheshunt and if they can get past Stockport, they’ll be dreaming of a trip to Wembley in the final.

“We average around 250 but the Trophy games have seen some bigger crowds,” Forsey added.

“The team have done well in all the cups this season but the FA Trophy in particular has provided some really memorable games.

“We’ve not won a cup for a while so it’s an exciting time to be involved and we feel privileged.”

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 head here.

Image: Scott Lear.