Slater can play in pro-league

Win, lose or draw today, Chasetown's FA Cup run has again proved one thing – defender Chris Slater can cut it at a much higher level.

The former Wolves trainee came through the Molineux ranks at the same time as Joleon Lescott.

But while Lescott went on to earn a £5m transfer to Everton and win full England honours, Slater was released and after spells with Exeter and Hednesford, found himself back at his hometown club working as a builder.

Class has never left Slater however and the cultured sweeper has regularly shown he can grace the higher stages.

After the Scholars' Cup run to the first round two years ago, he won trials with Walsall, Tranmere and Blackpool, spending pre-season with the latter club.

Now, as Chasetown went in search of more cup glory today at Team Bath for a place in the second round, Slater is proving his worth again.

And manager Charlie Blakemore believes his star asset could play at Football League level.

"I remember against Nuneaton, it was a fantastic defensive performance in the last 20 minutes and I'm just amazed Chris Slater hasn't gone higher," said Blakemore.

"I think he could still get back to Football League standard and he's showing his class in every game.

"He loves the club and he's a local lad.

I've told him: "You can do what you want" and take it as far as he likes."

Slater typifies the type of down to earth character Blakemore loves in his team – and woe-be-tide anyone who gets above their station.

"We haven't got a massive budget and I don't want a massive budget," he said.

"I want to work with people who want to play for the football club and me and that brings more success than some of the mercenaries you see at this level and levels above."

Blakemore, meanwhile, paid a massive tribute to the "team behind the team" who have ensured everything has run smoothly behind the scenes during another Cup run.

"Three years ago, this club wouldn't have dreamed about all this and to now have done it twice is unbelievable," said the boss.

"It's just a dream for me and everyone involved. The people I'm most pleased for is the volunteers who make this club so special.

"We've only got a small band of people who do all the work in the background – people cleaning, making sandwiches and teas and doing the bars and hospitality.

"But without those people, we haven't got a club and this is probably the biggest gift I can give them as a manager.

"After the draw for the first round was made, we were all hugging in the bar – some of them have been here for 40, 50 years doing the same thing.

"They enjoyed the Cup run two years ago and we probably all thought that was our moment. But we did it again and it's great.

"It doesn't come easy and it's a reward for all the hard work."

Blakemore admits preparations could have been better for today's clash.

Chasetown were forced on a 180-mile slog in midweek to Lancashire to play Radcliffe Borough in their FA Trophy second qualifying round replay following Saturday's goalless tie.

"We really didn't want a replay, but even though we had two goals disallowed through Kyle Perry, a draw was probably a fair result," he said.