Chatham Town Women’s boss Keith Boanas has issued a call for supporters of the clubs’ men’s team to come and enjoy the Sunday sunshine this weekend and go and support the clubs’ ladies’ team as they welcome Chesham United Women to the Bauvill for their last home League game. 

It’s been a decent season for Boanas’ side – currently sitting third in the  table, winners of the Isthmian League Cup, into the Final of the DFDS Kent Cup and the Semi Finals of the Combined Counties Cup, their semi-final against Portsmouth will take place on April 23 at The Bauvill – yet the levels of support the ladies have enjoyed hasn’t really changed. 

“Apart from one game (against Norwich), we have had an outstanding season at home. We have made it a hard place for people to come, we train on the pitch every week, we are entitled to dominate teams on that pitch, it is our pitch.  

“You want to make your home ground a fortress anyway as any points we drop to me is like having money taken out of your wallet or your purse. Before the Cup Final we won, we said that we want to win every game that we still have to play this season. It still won’t be enough I believe given the effort that they have put into this season – both the players and my staff who I can’t give enough credit to.” 

“We’ve been asked to be at the men’s game on Saturday and hopefully that will encourage more to come and watch us on Sunday – it would be great to actually get some of the men’s supporters to come and watch us. Or at least more than we do – I try to encourage the men’s support every time I do programme notes to come and have a look! I am sad that enough don’t do it. 

“It’s still that anomaly that it’s not the men’s game and the only thing that does upset me from this club is not the support from the club, it is the external support that hasn’t been there enough for us probably in games where we needed it. 

“But that gives full credit, including KSN, for following us everywhere – I love them to death and you all have my utmost respect, but we could have had more and I think that if we are going to go forward, Kev (Hake – the Chats Chairman) and the club deserve more support.  

“It will help us keep our good players and stop other clubs nicking them come the end of the season. Even at this level now, there are clubs with money – there are threats coming from other places where money is being invested and if I have to match money to keep our players then that is what I want to do!” 

“Our target is now to try finish third at least – and maybe second if we can!” Boanas said before briefly reflecting on last weekend, when the Chats followed their midweek win in the Isthmian League Cup Final with a hard fought 3-0 away win at AFC Sudbury.  

“First half I had reminiscence of games this year where we didn’t score – first period camped in their half but couldn’t finish chances, creating so many opportunities but not taking them! It was important to nick a goal when we did just before the break.” 

“Their manager said that there should be more than one going up from this division as the Sudbury boss said that we are the best side that they have played this season,” the Chats boss told us adding 

“They drew their last game with the League Champions who didn’t get a sniff all afternoon and we’ve scored three against them where the League Champions couldn’t.”