Blues fans will have a second chance to see their side in home pre-season action tonight, as former popular City midfielder Roberto Martinez (left) brings his Championship squad Swansea City to Deva Stadium.

With the start of the new League campaign just over a week away City manager Simon Davies has three players unlikely to play tonight through injury. The trio, Paul Linwood Anthony Barry and James Vaughan, and not expected to be risked.

Davies is looking forward to tonight’s encounter: �It will be good to welcome Roberto back to Chester, he has done exceptionally well since he took over the managerial reins down there, and he deserves the success he has achieved.�

In an effort to boost the attandance tonight the club will have three prizes on offer. The 500th paying Blues supporter will win two stand tickets for the forthcoming Carling Cup first round match against Leeds United. The 750th supporter through the turnstile will be presented with a signed shirt and ball. And the 1,000th paying fan will win a season ticket for the forthcoming season at the Deva Stadium.

Admission prices for tonight’s game are £10.00 for adults, £6.00 for concessions.

• Pre-season fixtures

John Murphy is to discuss personal terms today with Eircom League of Ireland club St Patrick’s Athletic after Chester and the Dublin-based side agreed a fee for the striker. Murphy has made 116+44 appearances in two spells with Chester, scoring 30 goals. City director Bob Gray said: “We have agreed a transfer fee with St Pat’s, the next stage is for the player to agree his personal financial package. We do not want John to leave the Deva Stadium, but if the transfer does proceed then Simon (Davies) will bring in a replacement fairly quickly.” Should Murphy decide his future lies elsewhere manager Simon Davies may again look at the option of Trevor Benjamin who had a trial with the club last week before an eye infection forced him to miss the Carlisle match. Picture © Evening Leader

Striker Chris Holroyd has had his contract at Chester terminated my mutual consent and is now effectively a free agent. Holroyd has attracted interest from Cambridge United and Morecambe and on Monday turned down a week long trial at Bournemouth. Manager Simon Davies commented: “I had a chat with Chris. He’s got a number of clubs showing interest, so now it’s up to the player and his agent to plan his future. He knew his chances at Chester would be limited and I would like to thank him for the work he put in during his time here and wish him luck for the future.” Picture © Evening Leader

Two late goals through defensive errors robbed City of a draw they deserved after an encouraging performance against their League one opponents Carlisle United. The visitors took the lead on 37 minutes after a fine finish from Scott Dobie. The Blues wasted little time in scoring the equaliser with Kevin Ellison blasting home a free-kick just two minutes later. City had had the better of the opening half with French trialist Damien Mozika (left) making his long awaited first appearance and impressing after a fine show. Another new signing, Anthony Barry, also put in good performance. Manager Simon Davies made five changes after the break and City lost their rhythm to allow the visitors to get on top. The Cumbrians took the lead eight minutes from time through Gary Madine and sealed the game four minutes later as Simon Hackney took advantage of some hesitation between John Danby and Paul Butler to score with ease. Davies was impressed with the contribution from Mozika. He said: “He did ever so well throughout the game. He played for the full 90 minutes, which we wanted him to do, and his fitness isn’t a problem. He’s telling us he can get stronger than that. He’s looking ever so good and he gets on well with the lads. He’s done himself no harm.” Chester City: Danby, Roberts, Wilson (McManus 73), Dinning (S.Vaughan 60), Linwood, Butler, Mozika, Barry (Hughes 60), Murphy (Taylor 66), Partridge (Lowe 46), Ellison. Picture © Evening Leader

Midfielder Paul Rutherford has joined fellow League Two side Bournemouth for a week long trial today. He was supposed to have been joined by Chris Holroyd, who has already been the subject of a possible move to Cambridge United in recent weeks, but the striker decided not to travel south at the last minute. Simon Davies said: “Paul’s just looking to play football. He’s got a great attitude, he’s a really nice lad. We’ll see how it goes at Bournemouth. Hopefully he has a good week.” Picture © Evening Leader

In a move that has surprised all City fans, ex-club director and major sponsor for the last three years Paul Baker has joined the board as a Director at AFC Bournemouth. Baker has teamed up with with marketing firm Sport-6, to take over at the Hampshire club after having an offer to buy Chester turned down last year by club owner Steve Vaughan.

As a result of the takeover Bournemouth are now expected to come out of administration. Baker, along with his business partner Alistair Saverimutto, have announced a seven figure investment and will unveil a ground breaking three-year shirt sponsorship deal and new kit on Monday.

Baker is the owner of Sandicroft based delivery company UK Sameday and he has no plans to leave the area. He told the Chester Chronicle: “I’m passionate in everything I do so I can’t see that I won’t have the passion for Bournemouth to be successful. Equally, I’ll still have the passion to support the Blues. I’m a passionate Blue.”

Goals from Laurence Wilson (left) and Paul McManus gave Chester a goal lead at Southport last night but the Blues had to be content with a share of the spoils after the Sandgrounders fought back through second half goals from Tony Gray and Michael Powell. Earlier the home side had missed a first half penalty.

This was the first real run out for Simon Davies’ senior squad this season, only two players Glenn Rule and Wilson played the full 90 minutes, with the rest of the starting X1 being changed at the interval.

City gave a trial to former Tranmere trainee goalkeeper Chris Sanna who played in he opening half. Simon Davies said: �He did well. He made good decisions, he came out and took crosses so we will keep an open mind. We will have a look throughout pre season, and see how it goes.�

Hugh was born in 1923 and brought up in Chester. After leaving the Kings School he joined the Chester Chronicle as a cub reporter reviewing local theatre performances for two years. He always had aspirations of becoming a comedian though and at the outbreak of World War Two joined ENSA (the Entertainments National Service Association) where he toured throughout the world appearing in variety performances. He returned from the war to embark on a career on the stage and found himself performing at the Windmill Theatre in London.

His big break came when he was given a small part in the popular radio show Hancock's Half Hour in 1954, and two years later was given a larger role when the programme was screened on television and he wen on to feature in 25 episodes of the popular show. In the early 1960 hugh teamed up with another friend Terry Scott as he starred in his own TV show Hugh and I which ran for 69 episodes over several years and The Gnomes of Dulwich, again with Scott.

Despite a busy schedule Lloyd always made sure he was up to date with news from the football club and would often have the scores relayed to him on stage. He also used to meet up with Terry Scott at the Recreation Ground whenever Chester played Aldershot and was often seen at Brighton whenever the Blues played at the Goldstone Ground.

Although he will be best know for his comical roles in the 1960s he went on to make countless appearances in TV shows including: Dr Who (1987), Boon (1991), Cider with Rosie (1998) and Great Expectations (1999) as well as many theatrical performances in the West End.

Hugh made several trips to Deva Stadium over recent years and in April 2002 held a book signing in the club shop with the publication of his autobiography ‘Thank God For A Funny Face’.

The Blues begin their pre-season matches tonight with a trip to Blue Square North side Southport. Manager Simon Davies will field a mixed team of first team and youth players as he takes a first real look at his 2008/09 squad.

Two of his summer signings Jay Harris and Anthony Barry are already ruled out through injury while Shaun Kelly is also sidelined with a hamstring injury. Two trialists, out to earn a contract for next season, will also feature but French player Damien Mozika is still awaiting international clearance and it may have to be Saturday’s match at Vauxhall Motors before City fans can see him in action.

City manager Simon Davies said: “Everybody who travels will play for a spell in the game. These matches are an important part of our preparations, but sometimes they aren’t as harsh as our pre-season training can be. One good thing about them is that new players get to know the existing lads better, and of course it gives me the opportunity to try out a few different ideas.”

Tickets for Chester’s televised home Carling Cup first round game against Leeds United on Tuesday 12 August are on sale to season ticket holders today from 10:00-19:00hrs. To keep their reserved seat (held until Wednesday) season ticket holders should take along their book, or if they have not received that yet, receipt of purchase or proof of identity.

The whole of the West stand, as well as the usual seats behind the goal, has been given to Leeds United.

Tickets will go on general sale at the ticket office tomorrow, 12 July, from 10:00-12:00hrs, and all next week from 10:00-16:00hrs. The cost of the tickets are £15.00 for adults and £10.00 for concessions and U16s.

Striker Chris Holroyd looks set to join Blue Square Premier side Cambridge United. Holroyd scored five goals in 21+31 appearances from City. Holroyd joined Chester as a trainee from Crewe Alexandra but was unable to maintain a regular first team place and missed the latter part of last season through injury. Both clubs have agreed a financial offer and now the player is set to discuss personal terms with U’s manager, and ex-City player, Gary Brabin. Meanwhile another player who could be on the move is midfielder Mark Hughes who has been attracting interest from Barnet. Picture © Evening Leader

Former player Ryan Lowe has re-signed at Chester on a reported two year deal. He is the fifth signing of the summer and rejoins the Deva outfit two years after leaving following a falling out with then manager Mark Wright. Lowe first signed for City from Shrewsbury Town on 22 March 2005 and went on to make 38+4 appearances, scoring 17 goals, two of which were on his home debut against Bury.

City manager Simon Davies said: “Ryan can play in many different positions, he can fit into a 4-3-3 formation easily, and adapt to a 4-4-2 system if required, he can play virtually anywhere which is a massive plus for us. He will be good for us, he has a bubbly personality and on the field when he is on the ball his play is exceptional. He gives me many options which is great for selection purposes.”

• Transfer activity