DFDS Kent Senior Cup final 2022-23 preview: Chatham Town v Margate at Priestfield Stadium

A big crowd is expected at Priestfield tonight to watch the Kent Senior Cup final between Chatham Town and Margate.

Around 2,000 tickets had already been sold at the start of the week and more supporters are expected to purchase in the final few hours before kick off in Gillingham.

The Kent Senior Cup has been running since 1888 and it’s over 100 years since Chatham last won the competition - back in 1919. Margate last won the trophy in 2005. This will be the 133rd final of the competition.

Fans of both sides will be segregated with Chatham fans having the Medway Stand - with tickets initially on sale in the lower tier - while Margate supporters will be housed on the Gordon Road side.

Having secured Priestfield as the venue to stage the final Kent FA chief executive Darryl Haden said: “We’re pleased that our Senior Cup final will be (at Priestfield) and it’s really important moving forward that players in Kent playing in our county cups can aspire to play at venues like this.”

Former Gills youth player Kevin Hake will be bringing his Chatham side to Priestfield fresh from their title winning success in Isthmian South East.

He said: “It’s a great achievement for us to get to the Kent Senior Cup after facing some tough opposition along the way.

“The Kent Cup competitions has a special place in everyone’s hearts at Chatham, particularly in more recent times, as winning the Kent Senior Trophy in 2019 marked the first honours the club had won in 25 years.

“This final is a competition we haven’t won since 1919 so it would be great to bring this trophy back to the Bauvill in modern times.

“This game concludes the 2022/23 season for us so it’s a good chance to see us for the last time before the Summer break.”

Chatham are