CHIPPENHAM WEALDSTONE v CHIPPENHAM THE VASE FINAL in 2000 was incredible. Visiting fans feature I was 10 years old at the time and it was just an unbelievable experience. The team, r r That experience of r managers and board just connected with the fans on the kind of journey clubs of our size and stature can only dream of. reaching Wembley The run started at Wimborne before beating Supermarine, Northwood, Wroxham, Glossop, Bedlington Terriers and Vauxhall in the semi. Each game was as incredible as the last, 19 years ago was you could never pick a clear-cut winner but the away game at Bedlington (who hadn’t been defeated at home in some seven years when the catalyst of the we touched down) was fairly special. The final against Deal was about the only game we went into as favourites I believe - and were undone by an 87th minute wonder strike club we are now from one Roly Graham (never forgetting that name). Just an absolutely wonderful day out for the SAYS SIMON LAWRENCE town, biggest attendance in a Vase final for Mike’s first visit to the Vale: Lee Chap- many years and many years after I believe at pell sets himself before firing the only THIS WEEK’S opposition supporter SPL winning season was just an amazing 13,000 or there about. Deal were not a mas- feature focuses on Chippenham Town experience for any fan. The day I think we sive fan presence on the day so really spoke and their superfan Simon Lawrence. The finally allowed ourselves to believe that we volumes for the town of Chippenham and 31-year-old lives in Portmouth and works were going to win the league and that little surrounding areas. Sparked our run up the in London, but he grew up in Chippen- Chippenham were going to be a National leagues as well and really the catalyst of the ham (seeing his first game at the age of League South side. We won 3-1 on the day club we are now in many ways I guess. 10) and fell in love with his local team. with a sensational bicycle kick from our This is his story.. centre half Will Richards no less completing the scoring. y first Bluebirds game was 1998 out rather contentiously for a challenge on ever, in a league dubbed the strongest at home to Brislington in the No, I don’t follow any other club, only Jonathan North. I quite enjoyed Wealdstone it’s ever been in terms of the NLS, I think Screwfix Premier Division. I was Chippenham. I have lived in Portsmouth as an away day though, lovely bar and good Chippenham and most of our fans share ‘Mhooked instantly and was on the bus since the age of 16 since growing up in selection of well-priced drinks and a lovely the view that to achieve a steady mid to Barnstaple for a dead rubber Chippenham so I do tend to keep outdoor area to enjoy the sunshine. table finish would be more than enough an eye on their results, but that game the following week, a game Yes for my sins I support Chippenham, live to deem the campaign successful. We that ended 0-0 in the roaring is mostly for the fact 99% of have proven with results last term that my peer group follow Pompey. in Portsmouth and work in London so our sunshine. game being on a Tuesday night is actually a we can make a big impact on the league, Aside from the obvious Interestingly Chippenham were particularly the other participants, a result in a replay against bit of a blessing this year as it means I can memorable games in the FA shoot over to Wealdstone from work and competing against the very best in the Vase run in 2000 culminating in Maidenhead away from a division, doing the double over Torquay, home tie with Portsmouth in last make it in very comfortable time to enjoy a Wembley appearance against the game. Might be a bit of a late night and Billericay and picking up results against Deal Town under the towers I would seasons FA Cup! Alas we lost the Woking at home and of course the 3-1 replay 1-0 at York Road and sadly a long day by the time I make it home, but say there have been many memorable here’s hoping the lads send me home happy. defeat of the Stones at Hardenhuish games for me down the years. Beating the dream of my team playing against Park, fingers crossed Mark and Gary can Portsmouth was not realised. As you can By a comparison I think our two clubs have Bath City 5-2 in our maiden season in the very different expectations. With the arrival keep the lads fit, momentum strong and National League South at Twerton Park imagine I got a lot of pity from my so-called put a little run of results together early, friends! of Brennan and the business he has done (Dave Pratt, above, scoring twice) was a in close season I think playoffs will be an it’s definitely going to be a long season considerable favourite considering the rivalry Yes, I was present at the Vale last sea- with the quality in the division this year. son for the 1-1 draw…. Sorry, the 1-0 de- expectation for Wealdstone and will start the element. But for the sheer day out, result season as one of the “Ones to Watch” how- and implications Hitchin Town away in the feat after Nick McCootie’s effort was ruled CONTD OVERPAGE Visiting fans feature Rhys Tyler has looked good in pre-season disregard Billericay either this season, they and has a touch of class about him, so we look to have made some very strong sign- are very excited by his signature. He has ings pre-season and if they can achieve done the rounds at this level so an experi- that same swagger that saw them come to enced head who hopefully will bring that little public attention, coupled with their budget I extra to an already stable back four. think they are going to be there when push Pratty? Well, what needs to be said? comes to shove. Would improve any side with his workrate The usual faces will be there as well of and ability, on his day completely unplay- course so tough season ahead and one able and just doesn’t recognise a lost cause guarantee is whoever achieves promotion when pressing defenders. this year is going to have done it in a very A huge part, some would argue the most hard National League South. influential part, of our championship winning ealdstone are always going to season. His partnership with Andy Sandell be a good side to keep an eye and the goals that partnership chalked up on. Last year taking Bath City was vital to our success and many would ‘Wout in the playoffs and just falling short in say we lost our way a little in the league the semi-final is no mean feat. campaign the season that Pratty departed. What impressed me most with Weald- He is welcomed back with open arms and stone is they seemed to go about their many supporters are very excited about season fairly quiet and efficient. They the prospect of linking him with our goal weren’t spoken about by many until right machine Nat Jarvis and new signing at the very end which shows that they Luke Hopper. Huge fan favourite went about it the right way, picking and he will be adored on the up results and being there when it terraces again no doubt. mattered. We have a very consistent This season with the arrival team coming into the season, of Dean Brennan and the sign- of course Wealdstone fans ings that he has made, they will know all about Pratt and are going to fancy the playoffs Tyler, but Nat Jarvis is a con- again I am sure. Ross Lafayette stant threat going forward, great is a touch of quality and when eye for goal, tricky on the deck Chippenham came up against Bath and great in the air. at their place last season Michee Efete Will Richards (right) is one of the best ball- ran us absolutely ragged so two quality playing defenders in the National League signings to add to the fold there is a real in my opinion and again this season will be statement of intent. I wish the Stones all key to our success. With returning players the very best for the upcoming season like Curtis McDonald and my player of the (except against Chippenham of course) season last year Kieran Parselle and Jay As for our ambition. We are flanked by Foulston coming in from Newport, defen- Swindon, Bristol and only a short trip up the sively I think we are going to be a very tough M4 from a lot of football league clubs so team to break down. attracting support and sponsorship from a romotion-wise, this year I think is commercial aspect is always going to be an going to be very hard to disagree uphill struggle. The board and the current with the bookies.... Havant have management team have done wonder- ‘Pmade improvements to a squad that were ful things taking us this far and we have relegated from the National League with complete faith in their ambition should that the lads from Ebbsfleet and Straker in from wish to stretch to a push into the National Bath City and are likely going to be where League, however for now I am very happy with where Chippenham is at.