It
is difficult to think of a player who has made such
a lasting impression at any football club than Grenville
Millington who has sadly passed away at the age of 73.
The much-loved former goalkeeper made more than 300
first team appearances for Chester between 1969 and
1983 and was widely recognised as the best number one
to have played for the club. However it wasn’t
just on the field of play that he will be remembered
as Grenville was an active supporter and volunteer at
the Deva Stadium proving to be a hugely popular host
in the Legends Lounge on match day. In addition he also
acted as chairman of Chester FC during the 2010s and
was a founder member of the Chester Former Players Association
for which he served as both chairman and president.
Grenville signed for Chester as an
amateur from Rhyl and made his debut in the final home
game of the 1968/69 season against Lincoln City in a
match that also marked the debut of Nigel Edwards and
the final appearance for his friend Gary Talbot. Returning
to Rhyl, he started to build a name for himself earning
nine amateur caps for Wales and represented the Great
Britain Olympic team while also working for British
Steel in Shotton. After a period with Witton Albion
he joined Brighton in summer 1973 but the move didn't
work out and when he returned to Chester he went to
see manager Ken Roberts, a man he always admired, and
was offered a 12 month contract as understudy to John
Taylor.
In November 1973 he replaced the sick
Taylor in an FA Cup tie against Telford United, never
put a foot wrong and became the first choice keeper.
The 1974/75 season proved to be a momentous season for
both Chester and Grenville with the club earning a first
ever promotion and reaching the semi-final of the League
Cup. In the Fourth Round of the competition the Seals
crushed league champions Leeds United 3-0 at Sealand
Road with Grenville making a crucial save from Terry
Cooper with the score at 1-0. He was again in outstanding
form when Chester travelled to Newcastle United in the
next round and drew 0-0. In the replay at Sealand Road
a world class save from Malcolm MacDonald early in the
game paved the way for a monumental 1-0 victory. It
was during the same season that Grenville had the game
of his life when a string of remarkable saves at Barnsley
helped secure a 1-0 victory and earned Grenville a 10
out of 10 rating in one national paper.
Chester’s first season in Division
Three saw Grenville presented with the Player of the
Season award, a feat that he repeated in both 1980/81
and 1981/82. He would have made more than 290 Football
League appearances had it not been for a period under
Alan Oakes at the end of the 1970s when he shared goalkeeping
duties with Brian Lloyd.
Grenville’s last game for the club
was in the final home game of the 1982/83 season against
Scunthorpe and the following season he linked up with
Ken Roberts at Oswestry. In 1983/84 he briefly returned
to the Football League with Wrexham to help them through
an injury crisis and also played for Holywell Town,
Connah’s Quay Nomads and Buckley.
After the club reformed as Chester
FC in 2010 Grenville became a key figure at the Deva
Stadium and during the 2010s served on the board and
even had a short spell as chairman. He was always keen
to be involved in any activity that would improve the
profile of the club and was reliably on hand to assist
any organisation associated with Chester. For many years
he was the driving force behind the Former Players Association
and always did his best to help any player who he thought
might be struggling with health or other issues. In
later years he will be remembered for his role as host
in the Legends Lounge where his natural enthusiasm,
positivity and rapport with the fans proved to be a
massive hit.
Grenville’s passing will
leave a huge hole in the lives of everyone that knew
him and the club send out their deepest condolences
to his family and friends.
Chas
Sumner [28/5/25]
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