MELKSHAM Town Football Club has been flooded with messages of support and praise following their heartbreaking defeat in the FA Vase quarter-final last week.
Chair of Melksham Town FC, Darren Perrin, has also expressed how proud he is of the club, thanking the community for their support and encouraging them to stick with the team to cheer them on as they turn their attention to their battle for promotion.
A record crowd of 2,208 supporters poured into Oakfield Stadium to watch Town take on Thatcham Town in the biggest game of the club’s 142-year history. Unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be for Town when a goal from Thatcham in the 90th minute saw their dreams of moving another step closer to the Wembley final cruelly snatched away.
Despite the disappointment, the day was one to remember for the fans, who quickly took to social media to share their feelings. “Well done lads.You have done Melksham proud by getting this far. Better luck next year,” said supporter Margaret Brooks on Facebook.
“Not the result you wanted but your club, supporters, town and county are proud of you!” agreed Wiltshire County FA, the governing body of football for the county.
Local Nigel Amor said, “Well done Melksham you have put the town on the map. Upwards and onwards.”
“Melksham, you’ve been superb – and an excellent crowd. Nothing to be sad about,” said Mark Jelfs.
Local Bowerhill business, The M.O.T Centre, said, “Be very proud of yourselves Melksham Town FC. We are proud of you. Unlucky this time.”
“A brilliant game. Very proud of my home town and how far they have gone. What a fabulous stadium too,” said Brenda Coupland Harte.
In the run up to the big game, the club found themselves firmly in the spotlight with both BBC Points West and ITV News West Country visiting Oakfields as FA Vase fever gripped the town.
The game even caught the attention of FA Cup-winning manager Harry Redknapp, who called Town’s manager Kieran Baggs to wish him luck.
About the rollercoaster ride that was the FA Vase, club Chair Darren said, “I am proud, but deflated, to lose like that in the 90th minute was heartbreaking. It was a cruel way to go out of the competition when there was nothing between the two sides, it’s soul-destroying.
“However, I am so proud of Kieran (manager), the players and the club for the way we have handled ourselves. The journey to the quarter-finals has been fantastic, we met new faces along the way, made new friends and played against teams we have never been up against before.
“The team have created history by getting the furthest we have ever been in the FA Vase, so I am absolutely delighted by that. And to have a record crowd of 2,208, the biggest yet at Oakfields, is phenomenal.
“As Chair on behalf of the club, I cannot thank enough the community, the rugby, netball and cricket clubs, and the local businesses for their support, it’s been a real credit to the town and I am so grateful for the support and the way they have got behind us.
“A lot of work was done by the staff to promote the club in the run up to the game and they have successfully raised the profile of the cub, and this is just the start. Next, we want to progress up the league and have more games like we did on Saturday.
“But please, we need the support of the town, so please keep coming back; we want more crowds like the ones at the Vase matches. We need you and we want to keep growing and moving on as a club with you by our sides.”
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