Chester will entertain FC United of Manchester at Deva Stadium on Wednesday 11 August, kick-off 19:45hrs. It promises to be a great night as the two sides, both owned by supporters meet up. Representatives from FCUM have given great support and advice over recent months as the CFU dream of reforming the club came to fruition at the recent official launch night. • Pre-season matches

Matchday prices
Standing Harry McNally Terrace
£9.00 Adults
£6.00 Concessions (Senior citizens and students with NUS card)
£5.00 16-17 year’s old
£3.00 5-15 year’s old
Free for under 5’s.

Seating East and West stand’s
£180.00 Adults
£130.00 Concessions (Senior citizens and students with NUS card)
£50.00 16-17 year’s old
£25.00 5-15 year’s old
Free for under 5’s.

“I didn’t know whether we would be able to fix up a game against them after being told that Tranmere’s pre-season had been fully booked. But Les and Shaun have now managed to accommodate a match against us and they confirmed that they will be fielding a strong side.

Following their appeal with the Football Association on Monday the club have now been placed at non-league Step 4 for next season, they will compete in the Evo-Stik First Division North League and not the Vodkat League originally recommended by the FA.

This good news (and congratulations to those involved in making it happen), will come as a great relief to the club who can now concentrate on Season Ticket sales and sponsorship, and manager Neil Young who continues to build a squad for the coming season.

The Blues will be competing with the likes of Skelmersdale United, Lancaster City, Warrington Town and Harrogate Railway Athletic. Young will know the division well as he managed Colwyn Bay to promotion (via the play-off’s) from it last season. The fixtures are due for publication around 14 July.

FA Statement
Appeal decision reached for Chester FC.
An appeal by Chester FC against a decision made by The FA Leagues Committee to place the Club at Step 5 (North West Counties League Premier Division) of the National League System has been upheld.

An FA Appeal Board (meeting on Monday 14 June) decided that the Club should be permitted to play at Step 4 (Northern Premier League Division One) from this coming season.

Chester Football Club manager Neil Young was guest of honour at the Newton Athletic Youth Football Club awards presentation last Sunday, 13th June. The club were invited along to help with the presentation by joint Newton Chairmen Stephen Jones and Bernard Concannon as part of their fun day, during which City Fans United Junior Blues were also present handing out leaflets and promoting the Club. Newton Athletic are an FA Charter Standard club based at County Officers, Upton, and have over 250 boys and girls of all ages from under 6’s to under 18’s. Closing the event, Stephen Jones stated “We all wish Neil Young and Chester FC all the best for the coming season, and for their future” to a great reception from the parents and children present. “It is a priviledge to be invited along to be part of such a big day for these children. Hopefully one of them will go on to pull on the blue and white stripes of their home town club.” stated Mark Howell, Chester FC’s Community Officer. Pictured is Dave Johnson (founding Chairman of NAYFC) and Chester FC manager Neil Young present 7-year-old Ben Pleavin with his Mini Soccer Player of the Year award at the event.

Five hundred Chester supporters packed the Pavilion Suite at Chester Racecourse last night to celebrate the club’s 125th anniversary. The disappointment on the England draw couldn’t take the shine away from this very unique occasion that helped raise thousands of pounds for Chester FC.

Former players including Gary Talbot, Grenville Millington, Stuart Rimmer, Milton Graham, Graham Abel, John Kelly, John Butcher, Gary Bennett, Paul Carden, Bob Delgado and Colin Woodthorpe – as well as former chairman Ray Croft all turned up to help make the event the success it was.

The auction alone raised around £4,000 with unique items of memorabilia up for grabs that included a framed shirt from 1974/5 and a complete set of programmes from the League Cup run along with a signed team photograph.

Manager Neil Young along with coach Gary Powell and some of the new players were also in attendance for the evening.

John Butcher, Milton Graham, John Kelly, Ray Croft, Stuart Rimmer, Graham Abel and Gary Bennett.

Picture © Evening Leader

The club have appointed their first team coach. He’s former Everton and Wigan Athletic player Gary Powell who joins the club from Rhyl FC. Blues manager Neil Young said: “Gary is a great lad who I have worked with before and will be a great acquisition to our management team, and ultimately our club.” Picture © Evening Leader

The club have signed former player Carl Ruffer. The popular defender played for the Blues from 2000-04 making 90+16 appearances, scoring 7 goals helping the club to the Conference championship in the process. He left to join Morecambe and has also had spells with Runcorn, Rhyl, Droylsden and Witton Albion.



Back: Danny Mahoney, Rob Hopley, Danny Meadowcroft, Greg Stones, Carl Ruffer, Gary Powell (coach).
Front: Anthony Sheehan, Mark Connolly, Rich Foulkes and Adriano Rigoglioso.

Picture © Evening Leader

Chester FC are also on the lookout for stewards for their home matches next season, with experienced stewards desirable but not essential as training will be given throughout the season.

The more stewards the club has, the higher the capacity of the Deva Stadium can be, and we ask all those interested in becoming stewards to attend a volunteers meeting at the Deva Stadium next week (please see www.cityfansunited.com for further details) where a variety of matchday roles will be discussed.

Please e-mail volunteer@cityfansunited.com if you are interested in helping Chester FC next season.