Chatham Town chairman Kevin Hake embraced the local community from day one and the club is now getting the rewards.

Hake’s born and bred Chatham and is proud of it. His team, which he manages on top of his work as being chairman, narrowly missed out on a third successive promotion this season after a play-off final loss.

More: Kedwell’s parting words as he leaves Chatham

Hake said: “I know exactly what it takes to be from Chaham and the stick you can sometimes get from it but we have to take it.

“When we first took over we realised you have to embrace your community, that is what we have gone and done and it’s paying dividends.

“They get something out of it, everyone gets something out of it and despite us losing the (play-off final) game there were probably 7-800 people still there an hour after the match, having a drink and a good sing-song, that is what it is all about.

“It is about the community, that is what we are and you see everyone there. We get a lot of stick for being from Chatham, it’s an area of deprivation but we’re trying to do what we can for the community.

“We get a lot of digs at us, all the time, you have to bite your tongue but look at how well-behaved the fans were.”

The supporters of play-off winners Enfield Town invaded the pitch at the end. Most of the 400-strong following were in the centre circle celebrating as Hake led his team around the pitch to thank their own fans for their support.

Hake said: “There wasn’t one bit of trouble, not that I saw, that is all credit for people from Chatham, and the further reach as well.

“They were in the bar after and were congratulating the team, it is what it is all about, that’s what football clubs are all about, it’s a community.

“We are different to everyone else because that is how we will push things on.

“Football is a working-class sport, always has been, always will be. This is a working-class, industrious town and that is why they are so passionate about what they are doing, they have gone about things in the right manner, as they always do and I am proud of them.”

Hake took over the running of Chatham Town seven years ago, replacing Jeff Talbot as chairman, with a determination to turn the club around. Chats had just been relegated from the Ryman League into the Southern Counties East League.

He stated at the time: “By making the club more appealing to the local community and surrounding areas, I hope that our supporters embrace this opportunity to really feel a part of the club.”

Hake had been at Sheppey United and then Gravesham Borough before, as he put it, the chance of a lifetime to run his boyhood club materialised.

Chatham took a season to find their feet, going from 16th in the SCEFL Premier Division to fourth the year after. James Collins led them to a couple of cup wins and Scott Lindsey’s appointment in October 2019 maintained that forward momentum.

The Covid pandemic saw Chats sitting third at the end of the 19/20 season and top of the pile when a second season was cut short, this time after 11 games. Corinthian were promoted based on points per game over the two seasons combined.

Chatham at the time led the way in their campaign to help the community during the Covid lockdowns.

In June 2022 the club received the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service - the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, equivalent to an MBE.

The club helped to tackle social issues such as loneliness, obesity, improving physical and mental wellbeing, integration, poverty, and social inclusion.

On the field, Hake had replaced Lindsey as manager following his move to Swindon Town.

Chats were promoted as runners-up behind Sheppey with 110 points and 122 goals scored in the 2021/22 season. Hake’s men then won the Isthmian South East title the following season.

They were one game away from a third successive promotion, losing earlier this month to Enfield Town in front of a second successive 3,000 strong crowd at the Bauvill Stadium in the play-off final.

Chatham assistant manager Danny Kedwell has left the club to take over at Isthmian South East outfit Ashford United.

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