League, cup and friendlies; we’ve come up against Chesham United a lot of times since the 1987-8 season. For the most part, our record against The Generals is pretty decent; starting with a 3-1 win at theirs and ending (so far) with a 3-0 win. But there’s also a 7-1 defeat in there too; the only time we’ve lost to ’em. So, we clearly had to make it count.
Chesham United: The Facts
The Meadow
Amy Lane, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, HP5 1NE
Formed in 1917, Chesham United are the club you get when you merge Chesham Town with Chesham Generals. So, you should get an idea about where their nickname comes from for a start. No? Well, we’re not going to do everything for you. This new side took up the Generals’ Spartan League place after the First World War One and had a very good time of it during the early 1920s.
Fast forward to the other side of the Second World War Two, the Generals are doing their thing in the Corinthian League. That is, reader, ’til 1963. With the competition disbanding, Chesham – and others like ’em – join the expanding Athenian League in Division One. It’ll be another 12 years before the club changes competition again, but it’s a long-term thing next time round; moving into the Isthmian League in 1973.
Why do we know Chesham United?
Look at their records at the Football Club History Database and you’ll find they went from being a Division Two side to a Division One side in 1977. It wasn’t promotion, however, but the league being renamed. And so it went on until 1986 when disaster struck – relegation to Division Two North. The problem is we went up from that division at the same time, so our first-ever competitive meeting was avoided.
Well, until the following season. The Generals won Div Two North at a canter at their first attempt; winning promotion back to Division One in 1987. While we weren’t finding life at that level all that easy, we hadn’t come close to relegation ourselves at that point. So, the way these things work meant that we’d line up for the 1987-8 campaign alongside them – and chance our arm against them for the very first time.
How to get to Chesham United – Travel Information – Distance: 32 miles
By Road
Head south on the A1(M) and come off onto the A414 on the southern side of the Hatfield Tunnel. Take the A405 to join the M25 at Junction 21A, before coming off the motorway at Junction 20 for the A41. Stay on the A41 for 7.5 miles towards Aylesbury; taking the A416 exit for Chesham. Upon entering the town, take the first exit for Berkhampstead Road and then continue over four roundabouts. After 1.4 miles, the venue is up to the right.
We’re not sure there’s too much parking at the ground – so don’t get caught out.
By Rail
Station: CHESHAM
Services to: KING’S CROSS ST PANCRAS
You’ll find Chesham at the end of the London Underground’s Metropolian Line; out there in Zone 157 or something. If you make it, turn left out of the station onto Station Road and go left next onto East Street. At the bottom of the street, turn left onto the A416 and follow it around to the right.