Green light for Chasetown

Chasetown's big FA Cup clash against Cardiff City will take place at the tiny Staffordshire club's ground, it was confirmed today.

The third round tie will be played on Saturday January 5, kicking off at 1pm.

The match will have a 2,030-capacity with room for 600 fans from Cardiff.

Ticket prices will be £20 for adults and £14 for concessions including juniors.

The club are now hopeful of securing TV interest from BBC's Match of the Day.

Chasetown chief executive Mick Joiner said: "We are delighted with the outcome and are confident of staging a safely controlled game, thanks to the help of the FA, Staffordshire police and Cardiff City, whose stewards will be heavily involved in the safety aspect."

Officials from both clubs – including safety staff from Cardiff – the Football Association and Staffordshire Police met for three hours at the ground on Thursday to plan safety for the tie.

The parties had held a previous meeting on Monday to address safety concerns at the tiny ground.

Police have brought forward Walsall's tie against Millwall to 2pm on the Saturday to help avoid potential clashes with rival fans.

The British Gas Business Southern League Midlands Division outfit are the lowest level club to ever make the third round of the world's oldest knockout competition.

Chasetown have launched a campaign to get soul star Heather Small to sing their inspirational FA Cup theme tune live ahead of the clash.

The team, who made it through to the third round of the FA Cup last week for the first time in their history, played her track Proud to get the crowd going ahead of the game with Port Vale.

by Tim Nash

Chasetown fans - give us your reaction by filling out the comment form below