CHESHAM celebrated their first trophy of the season on Tuesday before a league match has even been played.

The Meadow Men's reserves beat Gravesend & Northfleet in the Capital League Cup Final which had been delayed from last season.

Andre Scarlett scored the only goal of the game with a second half strike, with skipper Shaun Byrne proudly lifting the cup.

Meanwhile, club director Alan Calder has outlined the board's plans to overcome their current financial difficulties.

In a newsletter, Calder said the board had the option of winding the club up, going into voluntary administration or selling all the players But he felt that the team's and fans' loyalty had given them the strength to keep going.

He said: "Steve Bateman had offers of more money and bigger budgets at other clubs he stayed loyal.

"Simon Sweeney was wanted by AFC Wimbledon and their crowds of 3,000 he stayed loyal.

"John Lawford could have walked into any team at this level he stayed loyal.

"Supporters have done a magnificent job over the summer with maintenance of the ground and smartening it up loyalty.

"Shareholders have met with the board on several occasions and offered their support. Directors who came to the club to help 12 months ago, are now finding themselves in important decision-making roles, not what they expected this time last year but they have stayed loyal when it would be very easy to walk.

"It gave us the encouragement to believe that this club could be a success if we all worked as a family.

"The only way this club can go forward or maybe even survive is by working as a team. We have no financial benefactor, but we have a board that are having to work tremendously hard."

The board are now looking to appoint a new chairman shortly as well as announce plans to increase revenue.

On the field, Chesham are back in action tomorrow in their final pre-season friendly at home to Hendon (ko 3pm) Admission is £5.