Former Chester full-back Ken Fletcher died recently in Australia at the age of 79 after a long battle with cancer. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

As a youngster Ken represented Liverpool schoolboys and signed as a professional for Everton in August 1949. He failed to make the first team at Goodison Park and was one of Louis Page’s first signings when he moved to Sealand Road in July 1953.

Liverpool-born Ken made his debut at right-back, against Gateshead, and went on to play 16 league games in the 1953/54 season as well as appearing in the Welsh Cup Final defeat against Flint Town United.

A re-shuffle of the side at the start of the1954/55 season saw regular left-back Ray Gill take over at centre-forward with Ken taking the former Manchester City defender’s place in defence. However the move proved unsuccessful and when Gill was moved back to his more natural position Ken returned to the reserves in the Cheshire County League.

The emergence of John Molyneux and consistency of Ronnie Hughes saw Ken make only intermittent appearances over the next two seasons although he did appear in a second Welsh Cup Final, against Barry Town in 1955. Towards the end of the 1955/56 campaign he regained his place at right back but was released when manager Page left the club in summer 1956.

The next port of call was Prescot Cables but Ken later emigrated to Australia where he played for Dandenong City and spent the rest of his life.

Football League record

July 1953 – June 1956 Chester 34 apps

First Chester league game – v Gateshead (H) August 29th 1953
Last Chester league game – v Rochdale (H) April 28th 1956

Chas Sumner [4/11/11]