News from Deva Stadium March 2021

31 March 2021
CUP SUCCESS FOR YOUNG BLUES
For the second time in three years the youth team have won the National League U19 Alliance Cup. The Blues drew 1-1 after 90 minutes with Eastleigh last night and lifted the trophy after coming through 4-3 on penalties at Worcester rugby club’s Sixways Stadium.

Chester took the lead on 13 minutes through Bailey Sloane following a long throw from captain George Woodburn. The lead lasted only 11 minutes before Eastleigh drew level as a loose ball fell to Luke Hooper in the box and he scored at the second attempt. Both sides had chances to take the lead but with the scores level at full-time the match went straight to a shoot-out.

Sam Turner, Sam Hughes and Bailey Sloane found the net for Chester with Harrison Burke’s effort being saved. The visitors also missed a spot-kick with Luke Hooper hitting the bar. With the scores level at 3-3 Chester ‘keeper Alex Atton saved from Will Webb and up stepped Drew Lowe to convert the final kick and bring the Cup back to Chester.

Chester: Alex Atton, George Woodburn, Adam Barthram, Sam Hughes, Harrison Burke, Bailey Sloane, Liam Buckley, Drew Lowe, Tyler Sutton, Sam Turner, Oliver Heywood (Max Giani 85). Subs not used: Joseph Smith, Alex Lowe, Max Buckley-Benbow, Joe Walters.
Eastleigh: Charlie Philpott, Jack Tornaianen, Azza Ali (Sheldon Wright 61), Harris Feltham (Josh Taylor 90), Thomas Bragg, Archie Wilcox, Will Webb, Aime Kamdem-Fotso (Luke Gray 67), Luke Hooper, Daniel Bradshaw, Rudy Andrew-Knott. Subs not used: Ethan Fox, Jack Martin.
Referee: Neil Pratt.

Picture © Rick Matthews Photography

• More Pictures

30 March 2021
CHESTER ADD SUPPORT TO EGM PROPOSAL
The club have confirmed they they will be adding their support to several National League clubs who are campaigning for and Extraordinary General Meeting of the National League and to hold a vote of no confidence in the board.

THE STATEMENT
Chester FC can confirm our support for the proposal put forward by Maidstone United and seconded by Dorking Wanderers requesting the National League hold an EGM to consider and vote on the resolution of no confidence in the Chairman and the Board.

While we acknowledge the last 12 months have presented unprecedented challenges, it is our belief the Board of the National League has failed to demonstrate adequate leadership during this time of crisis. We also consider the lack of transparency in respect of its actions and decisions, and its communication and engagement with member clubs falls well below the standards that could reasonably be expected.

In supporting this motion, we hope this opportunity will be used to address the significant governance, democratic and accountability weaknesses that exist within the National League and act as a precursor for the wider reforms that are needed for the future of English football.

29 March 2021
FUNDING BOOST FOR KGV
A grant of £1,068,589 from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation to create a new 3G pitch and pavilion in Blacon has been awarded to Cheshire West and Chester Council and Chester FC Community Trust. This brings the total amount raised for the King George V Sports Hub project to £1.8m and means that work on the project can now start.

25 March 2021
CLUB TURNED DOWN FOR SURVIVAL PACKAGE
The club have confirmed they they were unsuccessful in their application to Sport England for financial help through their Sports Winter Survival Package. Despite noting the club had received a large fall in revenue due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was acknowledged that the club was not considered to be at risk of no longer trading viably by the end of this financial year.

22 March 2021
NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH SEASON START
The National League have confirmed that the 2021/22 National League North season will start on Saturday 14 August.

19 March 2021
YOUTH ACADEMY CUP FINAL
The Youth team will face Eastleigh in the final of the National League U19 Alliance Cup on Wednesday 31 March.The game will be played behind closed doors at Sixways Stadium, the home of Worcester Warriors rugby team, and will kick-off at 19.00hrs.

BERNARD FLEMING 1937-2021

Former full-back Bernard Fleming has sadly passed away at the age of 84. One of Bill Lambton’s signings in summer 1962 he was an ever present in his first campaign at Sealand Road and made a total of 64 Football League appearances for Chester.

• Obituary

16 March 2021
ON THE BORDERLINE UPDATE PAGES

The three update pages for On The Borderline produced by the club historian Chas Sumner can now be downloaded from here.

12 March 2021
FA ALLIANCE COMMITTEE APPROVE SEASON END
The Alliance Committee have today considered a paper from the National League addressing the National League resolutions in relation to the 2020/21 season and an alternative proposal from certain Clubs at Step 2.

Subject to FA Council approval (next meeting on Thursday 18 March), the Alliance Committee decided:
a. To support the outcome of the National League resolution resulting in:

• The continuation of Step 1.
• That the 2020/21 season is declared null and void at Step 2 with no promotion or relegation from Step 2 (or relegation from Step 1).

b. Consideration was also given to an alternative sporting solution at Step 2 in line with a proposal submitted by certain Step 2 Clubs that wished to continue playing. The Alliance Committee rejected the proposal, and any alternative, in the interest of the integrity of the National League System. Further reasons for this decision will be communicated directly to clubs in due course.

9 March 2021
CLUB LAUNCHES VIRTUAL 50/50 DRAW
The football club have launched a monthly virtual 50/50 draw with 50% of the proceeds going to the lucky winner and the other 50% going to the Chester FC Youth Academy setup. There are 2,500 tickets available and the cost is £1.00 per ticket, with the first winner being chosen and revealed at 19.00hrs on Tuesday 30 March. You can take part in the raffle, and help this great cause, by buying your ticket(s) here.

5 March 2021
TWO MORE PLAYERS SIGN FOR NEXT SEASON

Both Lloyd Marsh-Hughes (pictured) and Harrison Burke have signed new deals to keep them as the club for the 2021-22 season. Forward Marsh-Hughes (19) and defender Burke (18) are both products of the successful youth academy at Chester.

Marsh-Hughes has made 21 appearance from the bench for the Blues in the last two seasons, though his time over the last year was limited through injury. Burke made his debut for Chester coming off the bench in the 3-1 victory over Bradford (Park Avenue) in the FA Trophy.

Picture © Rick Matthews

3 March 2021
CHESTER TO STAGE TALENT ID EVENT
The club have announced that they will be searching for new first-team talent over the weekend of 1-3 May. The aim is to give a platform for players to showcase their skills at a time when Covid-19 has curtailed the playing season and limited match time for players over recent months. Those players interested in taking part can contact the club by completing an online registration form through the official website.

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