Two Clubs whose recent history shares an uncanny similarity lock horns at Oaklands Park on Saturday.
While The Millers were winning the SCEFL Championship, and with it promotion in 2018/19, Chi were themselves rewriting their history books, securing Step 4 football for the first time as they won the Southern Combination Championship.
And so to 2019/20 season as both made their bow in the Isthmian League. While The Millers were on the coat-tails of the leaders at the top of the table, Chi were handily placed in sixth place piling on the pressure with games in hand following an exciting FA Cup run that saw them reach the second round proper.
A nationwide Sunday afternoon TV audience saw City eventually succumb 5-1 at EFL Division One side Tranmere Rovers after putting up a praiseworthy performance.
Just twelve months later, it’s The Millers who are engaged in an FA Cup run of their own with a plethora of league fixtures piling up as they currently languish in the lower reaches of the league.
Chichester meanwhile may be grateful in the long run that recent elimination from both National knock-out competitions will give them a clear run at promotion. After surprisingly losing their opening 3 league games, Chi have won their last 2 – a 3-2 victory at home against Haywards Heath Town featuring a hat-trick from Romanian striker Gicu Iordache – followed by a 2-1 win at Herne Bay thanks to a late penalty save by custodian Steven Mowthorpe.
Prior to last season’s league encounter in Eltham, the 2 sides met at Oaklands Park in the Checkatrade FA Vase in September 2013 – a Millers side manager by current General Manager Steve Chapman winning the First Qualifying Round tie 5-3 after extra time (goals from Lew Wood 2, Jamie Wood, Michael McKenna, Tunde Aderonmu).
Pic. Millers’ keeper Joe Matthews makes an important save as Paul Springett challenges for the cross
LAST SEASON
14 Sep 2019 Isthmian League SE Cray Valley (PM) 0 Chichester City 2
NEWS FOR VISITING FANS
Chichester City play at Oaklands Park, Oaklands Way, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6AR
Advance tickets can be bought online at
ADMISSION PRICES
ADULT £9
CONCESSIONS £5
STUDENTS/16-18 YEAR OLDS £2.50
UNDER 16 £1
Image courtesy of Dave Cumberbatch