Game goes ahead at Chasetown

Athletic's FA Cup first round game at Chasetown F.C. will go ahead at Church Street. The F.A. consulted with Council Officials, Police, the Ambulance and Fire Brigades, and eventually gave their blessing. It will be the biggest game in the history of the tiny Walsall based team who play six levels below Athletic and usually attract gates of between 50 and 100 spectators. The Fire Service will still need to assess the ground to decide on what the capacity of the stadium will be set at. There are few seats at Church Street and Chasetown are expected to rent stands to stage what will be their first ever game in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup.

Chasetown played a total of eight games to reach this stage and were desperate to play the game at home and it is hoped that a total of 3,000 spectators will be accommodated to watch the match which will be televised live. The game will be screened live by the BBC at 1:10pm on Sunday 6th. November and will earn both clubs around £75,000 in TV fees.

Chasetown captain Craig Harris commented, “What we’ve done is absolutely unbelievable. Hopefully it has changed the club forever.”