Wolves a dream for Chasetown boss
It might only be a pre-season friendly, but Chasetown boss Charlie Blakemore admits he's playing his dream game against Wolves tonight (7.30pm).
It might only be a pre-season friendly, but Chasetown boss Charlie Blakemore admits he's playing his dream game against Wolves tonight (7.30pm).
The Scholars made history last season, as the lowest ranked team to reach the third round of the FA Cup.
Port Vale, as well as higher-ranked Cambridge City, Nuneaton and Team Bath, were put to the sword before Chasetown succumbed to Cardiff 3-1 – and even then they took the lead.
Wolves' Championship rivals went on to beat Mick McCarthy's men in the fifth round, on their way to the Wembley final against Portsmouth.
But Chasetown's place in the nation's hearts was secure and it came with a helping hand from Wolves along the way, after McCarthy agreed to let them train at their £3m Compton complex.
For lifelong Wolves fan Blakemore, it further endeared him to the gold and black cause. He was first converted to watching Kenny Hibbitt and John Richards as a child, growing up in Codsall Wood in the 1970s.
Blakemore's Wolves connection continued as he went on to coach the school of excellence at Wolves under Graham Turner.
He even achieved a lifetime's ambition when he played – and scored – in his only reserve team appearance for them at Newcastle.
Nowadays his gold and black passion is restricted to the odd game for Wolves Old Boys and watching the odd game.
He is relishing the chance to pit his wits against the Class of 2008 tonight.
He said: "I'm Wolves through and through – it's a great club and I'm so chuffed to be playing them.
"To see 'Chasetown v Wolves' flash up on Sky Sports News last night was a great thrill for me and us as a club.
"I'm really grateful to Wolves for coming. They are the big local side and they have a big schedule but they will send a strong side.
"I just hope we can do ourselves justice because we played last night up at Nantwich and lost 3-1.
"The lads will just have to deal with it because it will be a great experience for them."
Chasetown will parade seven of their eight new signings – central defence Vaughan Thomas's wife has just given birth to a daughter.
Gary Birch, Sean Platt – who scored their reply last night – Richard Batchelor, Adie Smith, Richard Teasdale, Wayne Dyer and Ryan Price will all see action.
