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Match information: AFC Rushden & Diamonds (H)
See below for a comprehensive guide of what to expect at the club in the upcoming fixture against AFC Rushden & Diamonds.
Match Information
Chasetown v AFC Rushden & Diamonds
FA Trophy First Round Qualifying
Saturday 29th August 2026
Kick-off: 15:00
The Scholars Ground, Church Street, Burntwood, WS7 3QL
If the match is level after 90 minutes, the game will be decided via a penalty shootout.
Officials
Referee: George Hodges
Assistant Referees: Benjamin Weatherstone and Jon Hodgson
Kits
Chasetown: White shirts, white shorts, white socks
AFC Rushden & Diamonds: Red/navy shirts, navy shorts, navy socks
Entry fees
Adult: £12
Concession: £8
Under 18: £5
Under 10: Free with paying adult
Please note: For any home supporters who have purchased season tickets for the 26/27 campaign, these do not apply for this fixture due to it being a cup fixture.
There are two separate entrances for each home game. The main turnstiles are just to the left of the main Clubhouse, which takes cash payments, while the left-hand gate is open and ready for any card payments. Please arrive early to avoid congestion.
Anybody under the age of 16 must be supervised by a responsible parent or guardian.
Travel and parking
By car
From AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Head north around the outskirts of Burton Latimer and join the A14. Stay on this road until it joins the M6 at Swinford. This will later become the M42 around Coleshill, where you’ll travel northbound towards the M6 toll. Stay on this road as you pass The Belfry, Bassetts Pole and Weeford. Come off the M6 toll at the A5195 and subsequently onto Ogley Hay Road and turn off the roundabout, along Highfields Road and onto Church Street.
For information about parking, see below.
By bus
There are two buses, Number 60, and Number 8, that stop within half a mile of the ground. The number 8, run by National Express, is more frequent. The bus will travel down the main high street and stop opposite the bowling green, situated next to the roundabout by the co-op at the bottom of the high street. Please consult the available online timetables so that you arrive within plenty of time.
By train
The nearest train station for the ground is Lichfield City, situated seven miles away from the ground. There is an adjacent bus station available, where the number 8 bus (see above) will take you to Chasetown.
Parking
Parking is readily available in and around the venue. Whilst the official car park is small, and reserved for players and officials, road parking on Church Street is often used on a matchday as well as the large public car park, situated round to the right at the bottom of Church Street.
Furthermore, slightly further up along the main high street, there is also a car park opposite The Crown Inn, in between Affinity HomeCare and Café Fika.
Places to visit outside of the ground
If supporters would like to enjoy a beverage within walking distance from the ground before, or after, attending the match, the following four pubs are available:
The Junction: 0.4 mi
The Uxbridge Arms: 0.4 mi
The Miners Rest: 0.5 mi
The Crown Inn: 0.5 mi
Inside The Scholars Ground
About the ground
Chasetown Football Club are pleased to have called The Scholars Ground their home since 1983, and work has continued since then, under the chairmanship of Mick Joiner until 2021 before he handed the reigns over to Steve Jones.
The Scholars Ground is situated in an area of natural beauty in Staffordshire, surrounded by a large, forested area, adjacent to the nearby Burntwood Rugby Club and just a short walk away from Chasewater.
There is plenty of space at this ground to either sit or stand to watch the match. There is a small terrace behind the goal next to The Stag Bar, with an area of blue seating just to the left of the goal.
Just outside the main clubhouse, there is an area of covered seating, whilst the area behind the other goal sees another covered seated section that stretches the length of the goalline.
There is also plenty of space behind both goals for younger children to have a kickabout, or run around with their friends, with mini goalposts setup.
Chasetown Football Club also allows dogs into the ground.
Refreshments
Food
Below are the three outlets that serve food at The Scholars Ground:
The Snack Shack – Next to the changing rooms. Serves hot food including pies (with or without peas and gravy) and sausage rolls.
The Stag Bar – Left corner of the ground. Serves hot food including burgers, chips, cheesy chips and hot dogs.
Main bar – Centre of the ground. Serves pringles and crisps
Drinks
Main bar – A large selection of alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and water.
The Stag Bar – A selection of alcoholic drinks.
Drinks cannot be taken outside unless in a plastic cup. Once you return your plastic,
Chasetown-branded cup to the main bar, you will gain part of your payment back.
Toilets
Toilets are in the main Clubhouse to the left of the bar, and also below the outside hospitality section.
Safety and safeguarding
If you are under 25, please bring a form of ID in the event of being asked to show proof of age upon the purchase of alcohol.
Anyone under the age of 16 that attends the game must be supervised by a responsible parent or guardian.
No pyros, smoke bombs, flares or fireworks are allowed in any circumstances.
In line with football and national law, Chasetown Football Club does not tolerate any offensive, discriminatory or derogatory language or behaviour. This includes, but is not limited to, racism, sexism and homophobia.
Failure to adhere to any or all of the above rules is likely to result in your ejection and/or temporary or permanent ban from The Scholars Ground. Other rules are also enforced at the discretion of staff at Chasetown Football Club.
Media coverage, programmes and teamsheets
Programmes can be purchased from inside the ground at £2 each and are available on the gate, at the main bar, and at the club shop.
Team news will be published between 30 and 45 minutes before kickoff.
Full matchday coverage will be available on X. Follow @ChasetownFC1954 and @AFCRD.
Match preview
Chasetown begin their FA Trophy campaign on Saturday as they welcome AFC Rushden & Diamonds to The Scholars Ground.
It is the first meeting between the sides since they met in the 2016/17 season, with Chasetown doing the double over the Diamonds in what was then the Evo-Stik Division One South.
Since then, Diamonds have enjoyed success in both league and cup competitions. They were promoted to Step 3 in 2018 under Andy Peaks, and got to a height of sixth place in 2022 before being relegated back to Step 4 in 2023. Diamonds came close to suffering back-to-back relegations on the final day of the 23/24 season, but they were reprieved shortly after the final game of the season and have continued to play at Step 4.
This season, they’ve begun the season with a win and two draws in the NPL Midlands division as well as reaching the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Meanwhile, Chasetown picked up a point on the road on Tuesday night with a 1-1 draw at Newcastle Town. Matt Hearsey bagged the equaliser for The Scholars in the 65th minute.
Both sides are hoping for a good run in the competition, with Diamonds equally the best ever FA Trophy run last season, reaching the First Round proper and losing out to Harborough Town.
Meanwhile, Chasetown’s run to the quarter-finals of the tournament in 2011 has not been forgotten by their supporters as they held Mansfield Town to a 2-2 draw at The Scholars Ground before falling to a 3-1 defeat at Field Mill.
The match kicks off at The Scholars Ground at 15:00 on Saturday 29th August 2026. If you are unable to attend, ensure to follow live text commentary @ChasetownFC1954 and @AFCRD. Live audio commentary is also available from our opposition on Radio Diamonds on Mixlr.