Next up it's Buxton FC vs Chasetown FC in the Evo Stik Northern Premier League at The Silverlands, and both these teams have claims to fame that may pop up at a pub quiz.
Ask the question "what's the highest ground above sea level in England?" and many people think the answer is The Hawthorns (West Bromwich Albion) at 168 metres (551 feet) above sea level. It is the highest Football League ground, but if teams within the non league pyramid are also taken into account it's only in 8th place. Recent grounds visited on this blog are higher, with Bower Fold (Stalybridge Celtic) in 7th place (170 metres) and Seel Park (Mossley) in 4th place.
It's Buxton FC's Silverlands ground that's in fact the highest of the lot at 304 metres (more than 1000 feet) above sea level, nearly doubling The Hawthorn's distance above sea level!
Meanwhile for the question "who's the lowest ranked team ever to reach the FA cup 3rd round?" the answer is Chasetown FC.
Chasetown originally got huge national attention in November 2005 when they got to the FA cup first round for the first time ever. With all eyes on the draw, with Chasetown the lowest ranked club left, they got a home tie against Oldham Athletic, sending the statisticians into a frenzy (there were six divisions and 133 places between the two clubs). The game was broadcast live on TV with a huge peak audience of 3.2 million, largely because unbelievably Chasetown took the lead, eventually the game ending in a 1-1 draw. The replay was won 4-0 by Oldham.
In the 2007/8 season Chasetown made it to the 1st round again, and this time beat Team Bath 2-0 to make the 2nd round for the first time, and they were drawn away to Port Vale. They drew 1-1 and incredibly won the replay 1-0, thus becoming the lowest ranked team to ever get to the 3rd round. They were drawn at home to Cardiff City and again surprised everyone by going 1-0 ahead, but eventually they lost the match 3-1, and in the end Cardiff went on to reach the FA cup final which they lost 1-0 to Portsmouth.
Recently Chasetown have also been ascending the divisions, their latest promotion at the end of the 2009/10 season from the Evo Stik Northern Division One South to where they currently find themselves. 2011/12 has not been a successful season for either of these teams as yet though, both have been knocked out of the FA Cup and FA Trophy and they're both struggling in the lower reaches of the table.
Last season Buxton finished in 6th place, just one place below the play off positions, and in their first season in this division Chasetown finished mid table in 10th. But at present this season Buxton are in 19th place - 4th to bottom and occupying a relegation spot as it stands with 16 points after 18 games played, with Chasetown just 2 places and 3 points above in 17th having played a game less.
Buxton started dreadfully with 5 straight league defeats, but things seemed to be picking up as they then won 4 of the next 6 league games. Then they lost 4-2 at Ashton United in a thrilling game as reported on here, and this was the start of what's so far been a 7 match run of league games without a win (4 draws 3 defeats). It's been too poor for the chairman's liking and earlier this week manager John Reed left by mutual consent, with player-coach Scott Maxfield taking up managerial duties for "the immediate future".
Chasetown have also had a change of management recently, with Charlie Blakemore moving up to join the board of directors due to no longer feeling he can commit enough time to the managerial role. He's been replaced by former Hednesford Town boss Chris Brindley, who's began well enough with 2 wins in his first 2 league games in charge.
Overall league results for both clubs so far this season:
Buxton: LLLLLWWLWLWLDDLDDL
Chasetown: DDWDDLLLWLWLLLLWW
Ask the question "what's the highest ground above sea level in England?" and many people think the answer is The Hawthorns (West Bromwich Albion) at 168 metres (551 feet) above sea level. It is the highest Football League ground, but if teams within the non league pyramid are also taken into account it's only in 8th place. Recent grounds visited on this blog are higher, with Bower Fold (Stalybridge Celtic) in 7th place (170 metres) and Seel Park (Mossley) in 4th place.
It's Buxton FC's Silverlands ground that's in fact the highest of the lot at 304 metres (more than 1000 feet) above sea level, nearly doubling The Hawthorn's distance above sea level!
Meanwhile for the question "who's the lowest ranked team ever to reach the FA cup 3rd round?" the answer is Chasetown FC.
Chasetown originally got huge national attention in November 2005 when they got to the FA cup first round for the first time ever. With all eyes on the draw, with Chasetown the lowest ranked club left, they got a home tie against Oldham Athletic, sending the statisticians into a frenzy (there were six divisions and 133 places between the two clubs). The game was broadcast live on TV with a huge peak audience of 3.2 million, largely because unbelievably Chasetown took the lead, eventually the game ending in a 1-1 draw. The replay was won 4-0 by Oldham.
In the 2007/8 season Chasetown made it to the 1st round again, and this time beat Team Bath 2-0 to make the 2nd round for the first time, and they were drawn away to Port Vale. They drew 1-1 and incredibly won the replay 1-0, thus becoming the lowest ranked team to ever get to the 3rd round. They were drawn at home to Cardiff City and again surprised everyone by going 1-0 ahead, but eventually they lost the match 3-1, and in the end Cardiff went on to reach the FA cup final which they lost 1-0 to Portsmouth.
Recently Chasetown have also been ascending the divisions, their latest promotion at the end of the 2009/10 season from the Evo Stik Northern Division One South to where they currently find themselves. 2011/12 has not been a successful season for either of these teams as yet though, both have been knocked out of the FA Cup and FA Trophy and they're both struggling in the lower reaches of the table.
Last season Buxton finished in 6th place, just one place below the play off positions, and in their first season in this division Chasetown finished mid table in 10th. But at present this season Buxton are in 19th place - 4th to bottom and occupying a relegation spot as it stands with 16 points after 18 games played, with Chasetown just 2 places and 3 points above in 17th having played a game less.
Buxton started dreadfully with 5 straight league defeats, but things seemed to be picking up as they then won 4 of the next 6 league games. Then they lost 4-2 at Ashton United in a thrilling game as reported on here, and this was the start of what's so far been a 7 match run of league games without a win (4 draws 3 defeats). It's been too poor for the chairman's liking and earlier this week manager John Reed left by mutual consent, with player-coach Scott Maxfield taking up managerial duties for "the immediate future".
Chasetown have also had a change of management recently, with Charlie Blakemore moving up to join the board of directors due to no longer feeling he can commit enough time to the managerial role. He's been replaced by former Hednesford Town boss Chris Brindley, who's began well enough with 2 wins in his first 2 league games in charge.
Overall league results for both clubs so far this season:
Buxton: LLLLLWWLWLWLDDLDDL
Chasetown: DDWDDLLLWLWLLLLWW
Buxton beat Chasetown 2-0 at home and 1-0 away last season. After poor starts and recent management changes for both teams, this game is looking a difficult one to predict.
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