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
(all profits go to charity)
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
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”.
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!
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.
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.
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.