Chatham Town manager Kevin Hake says reaching the FA Cup first round for the first time in 97 years is more important than any promotion

Manager-chairman Kevin Hake puts Chatham’s success in reaching the FA Cup first round above recent promotions.

Chats won 3-1 at Tonbridge yesterday to book a place in Monday evening’s first-round draw (from 6.30pm).

The Isthmian Premier club came from a goal down to beat their National League South hosts thanks to Tope Fadahunsi, a Stanley Oldfield penalty and Adam Leathers.

There were joyous scenes at Longmead as Chats celebrated with a large away following behind the goal.

The Medway outfit are through to the first round for the first time in 97 years and go into the hat with the likes of neighbours Gillingham and multiple ex-Premier League sides including Bradford, Cardiff and Bolton.

Chatham are in a golden era, with successive promotions in recent seasons, but the FA Cup trumps that.

“It’s a completely different feeling,” said Hake.

“The club’s not been here for 100 years.

“I think of all those players, including myself, who weren’t successful in getting to the first round, and all the managers.

“But, more importantly, the people behind the scenes, like Barry Adams, who unfortunately couldn’t be here today, but he’s been at the club for 40 years.

“There’s supporters who’ve supported the club for 40, 50, 60 years and to be able to give them that is amazing.

“That’s more important than any promotion.”

Hake has made no secret of his ambition to take Chatham to the first round.

They had to do it the hard way at Longmead after trailing to an early Marcus Sablier goal.

But they responded superbly against their higher-league opponents on a day the club will never forget.

Report: Tonbridge 1-3 Chatham

“It’s unbelievable,” said Hake. “I’m really pleased for the boys.

“To get to the first round, it was one of the things