Chester let a two goal slip in the dying minutes of their latest pre-season friendly at AFC Telford United. The Blues took the lead three minutes after the interval with a goal from Jamie Reid and doubled their advantage nine minutes later when Craig Lindfield got on the scoresheet. Telford, who featured former Chester players Matty McGinn, Robbie Booth, Tony Gray and Sean Clancy. They pulled a goal back four minutes from tim with Andy Owens heading home a McGinn corner and levelled in the 88th minute as Mike Phenix took advantage of hesitation in the Chester defence to score. Chester: Danby, Kay, Horan (Menagh 64), Linwood, McIntyre (Mahon 79), Heath (Pugh 66), Jarrett (A.Williams 60), Harrison, Mills (Reed 46), Seddon (M.Williams 73), Lindfield. Sub not used: Fearon. • Match pictures Picture � Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

With Chester fan and BBC pundit Jonathan Legard acting as question master, the Conference North-winning manager talked for more than three hours about the past season and his plans for the future.

Fans gathered for the meeting, which followed the AGM of the Chester Exiles, also had the chance to have their photo taken with the Conference North trophy, buy some merchandise and even have a sneak preview of next season’s away shirt.

It was standing room only in the Side Room of the Parcel Yard pub in Kings Cross station as Jonathan Legard put the questions to Neil Young. There was plenty of opportunity for fans to ask their own questions as well.

Young talked about his aim to get into the Football League in the next 10 years, and how full-time football was an essential part of that process.

“This football club needs to get to full-time status, and we need to increase revenue streams to do that. It also needs to be sustainable, so it carries on into forthcoming seasons,” he said.

He revealed how the Squad Builder scheme had enabled him to fund the signing of Alex Titchener. And he said that money through the turnstiles alone would not cover the team’s wage bill, so similar fund-raising schemes were essential for the club to progress.

“My target is to win this League, and the group of players I’ve got now are bonding really well. But the Conference is stronger each year and we’ll need an uptake in the budget,” he said.

Still, the inspirational manager left the exiled fans excited for the season to come, and looking forward to the team travelling south to play Barnet on season’s opening day on Saturday, August 10.

Sue Choularton

Chester manager Neil Young was happy with the latest showing of his side in a hard fought 0-0 draw against a Bolton Wanderers X1 on Saturday. The visitors included four players with first team experience. Chester’s closest effort to breaking the deadlock came in the second half when George Horan saw a header come back off a post. Young said: Thankfully, Bolton brought a very good team here. We put out a young team first half, a more experienced side with a different shape second half, and I thought with a bit more composure in front of goal we could've nicked it.” Chester have a run out to trialist midfielder Jamie Menagh recently released by Blackpool. Chester: Danby, Kay, Heath (Titchiner 52), Horan, Linwood, Menagh (Reed 52), A.Williams (Harrison 52), Jarret (M.Williams 65), Brees (Pugh, 52), Mahon (Lindfield 52), Mills (McIntyre 52). Sub not used: Nield. • Match pictures Picture � Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

The club shop now has next season’s purple away shirt in stock in various sizes. The replica shirts are available for £37.95 (adults) and £27.95 (children) with a printing service available for an additional £10.00. • Buy online Picture � Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

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Tickets are now available from the club shop, priced at £1.00 each, for the Chester FC Grand Summer Raffle. There are 30 prizes curently on offer, including a £500 cash prize, in the draw which will be made on 26 August at the home match against Forest Green Rovers. Other prizes include a matchday season ticket and signed memorabilia. The club have produced a poster to help promote the raffle which can be downloaded here.

A second half goal from summer signing Danny Harrison gave Chester a deserved 1-1 draw in their latest home friendly with Crewe Alexandra in front of a crowd of 1,021. Alex took the lead on 16 minutes with a Harry Davis penalty after referee Mike Dean adjudjed that John Danby had fouled Ryan Colclough in the penalty area. Manager Neil Young was pleased with how the team played, saying: “I was very happy with that, we kept the shape and worked very hard. I thought we looked good, stuck in and performed well. They never really opened us up apart from their goal.” Chester have a run out to 25-year-old trialist Steven Leslie from AFC Telford United. Chester: Danby, Kay, Horan, Linwood, McIntyre, Leslie (M.Williams 46), A.Williams (Jarrett 61), Harrison, Mahon (Peers 67), Lindfield (Heath 77), Seddon (Mills 53). Sub not used: Nield. • Match pictures Picture � Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

Young will be meeting members of the Chester Exiles Supporters’ Club at the Parcel Yard pub inside Kings Cross Station in London on Thursday July 25.

It will give any exiled fans within reach of London a chance to put their questions about the forthcoming season to the Conference North-winning manager.

BBC commentator and lifelong Chester fan, Jonathan Legard, is also expected be attending. Fans will also be able to have their photos taken with the Conference North and Cheshire Senior Cup Trophies.

The evening will start with the Chester Exiles AGM at 6.30pm, with Q&As with Neil Young starting from 7.30pm.

Pauline Meakins, Chester Exiles Chairman, said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming Neil Young to our Exiles AGM. I hope we get a good turnout of Exiles, as I am sure many will quiz Neil about the coming season and will want to shake his hand for the outstanding success so far!”

“We are also pleased that Jonathan Legard’s busy BBC diary is also looking good for that evening so it should be a great night for everyone.”

Chester were beaten 1-0 by Mansfield Town last night in their first home pre-season friendly. The visitors, who start next season in League Two, were playing their fourth friendly were quicker to the ball and distributed it better than Chester. The only goal of the game came 15 minutes from time as trialist Nathan Arnold slotted home a Keiran Murtagh cross for the deserved winner. Chester are next in action on Saturday when they entertain Crewe Alexandra, kick-off 15.00hrs. Chester: Danby (Fearon 80), Kay, Horan, Linwood (Spittle 71), McIntyre, Harrison (Heath 71), Jarrett (A.Williams 63), Mahon (Brees 59), M.Williams, Titchiner (Lindfield 59), Seddon (Mills 24). • Match pictures Picture � Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

Chester started their pre-season friendlies on Friday night with a 3-0 win at Heswall. An own goal set the Blues on their way before Ben Mills doubled the lead before the break. Chester created numerous chances after but converted just one as Craig Mahon added a third goal on 55 minutes. Chester made a series of changes at half-time and included two trialists, Alex Brees and Jonny Spittle. Chester: Fearon (Danby 46), Spittle (Peers 60), Horan, Kay, Heath (McIntyre 46), Lindfield (M.Williams 71), A.Williams (Jarrett 46), Harrison, Brees (Mahon 46), M.Williams (Titchiner 46), Mills (Seddon 46). • Match pictures Picture � Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)