A new book: From Hashtag United to Wembley
(all profits go to charity)
Where I saw Cheshunt
FAT 3R v Bishop’s Stortford (h) 0-0 (won on penalties)
FAT 4R v St Albans City (a) 3-0
FAT 5R v Stockport County (a) 0-1
Favourite moments
The trip to Stockport County was a special day out. not only for the Cheshunt fans but for me too. After the game, County gave Cheshunt fans a private room to celebrate their outstanding effort at Stockport, a 1-0 loss to the National League leaders. The supporters of Cheshunt were a pleasure to spend time with.
I visited Cheshunt for an important League game against Bishop’s Stortford at the end of the season. Cheshunt won 1-0 to reach the play-offs. After the game, for the first time in my life, my name, albeit my Twitter name, was chanted, “TrophyHound’s an Amber”.
Fun fact
Jim Tuite, Cheshunt’s master statistician, corrected me when I pronounced Cheshunt as ‘chess hunt’. I was firmly told it had a ‘z’ in the middle. However, Jim also told me that Cheshunt never win at St Albans, but they did!
Magic moment
The Cheshunt fans singing for the entire 90 minutes (and before and after) at Stockport County. The players and fans celebrating together. However, Reece Beckles-Richards stunning top-corner curler won my goal of FA Trophy award. The goal put Cheshunt 1-0 up at St Albans and put them on course for the tie at Stockport.
What you will find in the book
The book describes my journey following the 2021-22 FA Trophy. I chose to start at Hashtag United v Chipstead in the First Round Qualifying of the FA Trophy. From there, I followed the winners of each tie, finishing at Wembley, where I saw Bromley lift the trophy after beating Wrexham. It was a magical journey that enabled me to visit 9 non-League grounds plus Wembley and meet supporters from 12 different fantastic clubs.
What is the book like?
I travelled to each game by train and stayed at or close to the venue of each tie for at least one night. Each chapter takes a light-hearted look at my travels, my exploration of each town or city, as well as covering my match-day experience. I also met many interesting people on my travels, enjoying a beer or two with the locals at each venue. The book captures the spirit that I believe only exists in non-League football and describes some truly enjoyable and memorable moments.
A bit about me (but not too much, I hope)
I was born and raised in Charlton and have been a long-suffering Charlton Athletic supporter. In the 1980s, I lived in Bromley and started to support Bromley FC, who were playing in the Isthmian League in those days. This introduced me to non-League football, and I have never looked back. Now living on the Kent/Sussex border, I love going to different grounds and enjoying the football (with a pint afterwards) at non-League grounds around the region. In the summer, I support Sussex CCC.
I am now semi-retired, which has given me the opportunity to follow the FA Trophy for the 2021-22 season, although I must thank my wife for her patience as she had to listen to me prattling on about my adventures week after week.
Non-League football has been one of the many adventures and fun things I have managed to enjoy in my life. I’ll tell you more about my life in the book if you can face the dreadful puns that I occasionally use.
