Isuzu FA Vase preview: Punjab United’s Chipie Sian closes in on Wembley final dream

Chairman and manager Chipie Sian admits he can no longer play down the excitement of a potential Wembley appearance to his Punjab United players – even though it’s got the whole community buzzing.

A 2-0 victory over Southern Counties East League rivals Fisher means the Gravesend-based club are within two games of fulfilling a dream come true under the arch in just their ninth season in the National League System.

And Sian, who helped set up the Sikh-owned Kent club in the local leagues back in 2002, admits the dream is getting too close to ignore any longer.

“I’ve been trying to play it down every round we get through and saying to the players, ‘don’t worry, we’re a long way off ’, but I can’t say that any more,” the Punjab chief joked to The NLP.

Growth

“It’s getting bigger and bigger now – you can almost see it now.

“If we get through this one, then we’re in a two-legged semi-final, where anything can happen.

“It’s incredible, also given how far we’ve come in seven, eight years, you know, from Sunday to Saturday football, it’s unbelievable.”

VASE VENTURE: Punjab United’s Jack Hopkins scores against Fisher FC

PICTURE: Vijay Singh Bedesha

Community

Sian says the club’s rapid rise to the Vase last eight is down to the multi-cultural community spirit it generates.

“This club is quite unique,” he adds. “It’s foundation is of a Sikh-owned club, but our committees, our players, our fan base, it’s multicultural.

“It’s all mixed, men and women, and we’re very proud of that.

“No-one gets paid to do the committee work or manage the team, nothing. We’re all just there.

“We all help out. Everyone chips in and I think that’s what makes the club so special.”