They work full time jobs, practice a couple of times a week and dream as big as anyone. Chasetown FC is the lowest rated team to reach the 3rd round of the competition and this Saturday they will host League Championship side Cardiff City at The Scholars Ground. I love underdog stories like this. On Monday the Chasetown players will go back to their day jobs and how great would it be to have a tale of victory for them to enthrall their co-workers? These guys don’t play for big money contracts or television endorsements. They play because they love the game.
Manager Charlie Blakemore took the lads to the Wolverhampton Wanderers training facilities to ready them for the game. His enthusiasm for his players and how far they’ve come was great to see. If they lose to City there won’t be any whinging from Blakemore, he’s excited to have his team here. “I have been watching the FA Cup since I was a little kid,” he told PA Sport. “There’s a magic about it. I remember watching Hereford beating Newcastle when Ronnie Radford scored that goal. I think ‘crikey, I wonder in years to come whether people will remember Chasetown doing the same thing’.” Good luck Scholars!
It’s not as big of a mismatch, but The Potters will host Newcastle United at Britannia Stadium on Sunday. Even with the backing of the big boss a loss to the League Championship side would probably be the end of Sam Allardyce’s reign Tyneside. This isn’t just another game in the greatest tournament in football, it could be the keystone match of the season for the Geordies.
The Hatters will host Liverpool Sunday and it could be their last at Kenilworth Road. If they don’t find a buyer by Monday they will go into receivership. Their players have not been paid and many could be gone before the end of the month. This game is an opportunity for Town to keep things together for a little longer. Sadly I don’t think it is going to happen. Rafa Benitez can’t afford to get bounced by Luton. The ice is getting a bit thin for the Spaniard so charity is not in the cards.
There are a few chances for upsets this weekend, there always are. But, that’s what makes this the best cup tournament in the world.
