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Proud Chasetown claim the glory after shocking Cardiff into action
Last updated at 13:44pm on 07.01.08The sanitised Premier League sometimes seems to have lost the essence of football but it was definitely there on Saturday lunchtime as the lowest ranked team to reach the third round locked horns with a side six divisions higher.
Chasetown boss Charlie Blakemore wandered around throughout like an agitated Norman Wisdom. The banter was flowing as conversation was made with several of the home squad who had not made the team.
Thrill of the Chase: Chasetown celebrate after Kevin McNaughton's own goal
For Christmas, Blakemore had been given a Yellow Pages to stand on for the television cameras due to his lack of height. Home skipper John Branch had been given a slab of steak due to his stocky build and was hounded by cries of 'Steak Chops'.
A banner behind the dug-out read, 'Charlie's Angels'. An inquiry as to the whereabouts of the lovely Angels gleaned that they were a motley collection of blokes in their 50s. It passes for humour in this part of the world.
Chasetown's dream was alive after Kevin McNaughton's own goal gave them the lead. If it had not been for Peter Whittingham's cool finish deep into first-half stoppage time, those 2,420 present could have witnessed a major shock.
As it was, Cardiff deserved their win. Impressive teenager Aaron Ramsey grabbed the second goal and former non-Leaguer Paul Parry ended the contest with 17 minutes left.
Frank Carson stated his desire to remain on Chasetown's board at the final whistle. After introducing myself to the legendary comedian and asking for his thoughts, he said: "Daily Mail? I love the crossword. I had this clue — Flightless bird, found in Iceland, six and seven. Do you know what the answer was? Frozen chicken.
"I'll leave you with this one. The late Tommy Cooper puzzled me with this. The clue was — A home for a Scottish fish. One, six, two, 10. And the last word began and ended with K. I couldn't get it. Months later, I asked him to tell me. Do you know what it was — a plaice in Kilmarnock!"
Carson then shoved £1,000 behind the bar to cement his popularity on a day when even the faint whiff of scandal in the chill Staffordshire air could not spoil a memorable day.
It had emerged the home players would not receive any extra money for their FA Cup heroics but Blakemore quickly defused the situation. "None of the lads have asked for a bonus, which is good because there ain't one!" he said. "Some might have thought they were getting a PlayStation 3, but we are going to give them something they can look back upon forever.
"We are going to get the best pictures and put them around a framed shirt and give one to every player. Let's face it, what's a couple of hundred quid? This is tangible, something to show for what they have done. This was the stuff of dreams."
Cardiff manager Dave Jones was wise enough to know Cardiff were there as stooges. With the tie negotiated, he was happy to play along. "I feel honoured to be part of history," he said. 'We were here for the fairytale and in the first half, when we were lazy, there was nearly a shock.
"Their players have whipped everything we had in our dressing room as souvenirs. I'm surprised I'm still in my suit. But there's still romance in this competition. It is unique to England. We should remember that."
Blakemore agreed, adding: "That guy there, Paul Mullins, has watched this club for 22 years. I went to him at the end and apologised. He replied, “What for? You have given me and a few others one of the best days of our lives”. It's humbling, it really is."
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