Angus Eve has the distinction of being Chester’s most capped international player appearing 35 times for Trinidad and Tobago. Bizarrely he actually played more games for the Caribbean nation’s team than he did for City during his two years registered at the Deva Stadium.

Angus was one of Terry Smith’s final signings in December 1999 and when he made a goalscoring debut, in the 2-0 home win over Halifax Town, the future looked promising. Unfortunately the rest of the 1999/2000 season was marked by a series of international call-ups and the attacking midfielder never had a long run in the side. By the end of the campaign Angus had played 9+5 times for City scoring four goals including two in the 5-0 win over Mansfield Town. Conversely he appeared 11 times for Trinidad in the same period and scored three goals including two against the Netherlands Antilles in a World Cup qualifier. On the same day that Chester played their relegation decider against Peterborough Angus was in Trinidad playing against Haiti in another World Cup fixture.

Although Angus was still registered with Chester for the first season in the Conference he spent the whole 12 months on loan to his former club in Trinidad, Joe Public, and never appeared at the Deva Stadium again. During the 2000/01 season he made another 24 international appearances and netted eight goals. At the end of June 2001 his Chester contract finished and he signed for San Juan Jabloteh back in his homeland. The Trinidad side were managed by former England defender Terry Fenwick and it was seen as a coup for San Juan to sign such an experienced and popular player. His early displays back in the Caribbean alerted Crystal Palace and Swindon Town but he remained with San Juan and by 2004 he had been appointed captain of the national side.

A hugely respected figure in his homeland Angus retired from international football at the start of 2006 after an incredible 131 caps and 48 goals making him one of Trinidad’s most capped players. He is currently a player coach with San Juan and now that he has acquired his International Coaching License looks to have a bright future in the game as a coach.

• Angus Eve – record caps

Angus Eve was not the only international player to feature for City during the 1999/2000 season. Canadian international, Martin Nash came to the Deva Stadium from Vancouver 86ers at the end of September and made his debut in the 3-1 defeat at home to Lincoln City. The midfielder, who had first won full international honours for his country in 1997, struggled to make an impression as Chester teetered on the edge of the Conference and made 12+4 league appearances before leaving the club in February following the appointment of Ian Atkins. During his time with the club Martin also won international caps in friendlies against Bermuda and Trinidad.

Back in North America Martin joined Rochester Raging Rhinos where he played 65 games over two years before briefly returning to English football with Macclesfield Town in the 2002/03 season. Once again his stay in England proved brief and after only 1+4 games at Moss Rose he was back in America playing in the Major Indoor Soccer League for Milwaukee Wave. When the USL season restarted in 2003 Martin joined Montreal Impact before reverting back to indoor soccer with Dallas Sidekicks.

In 2004 Martin joined his current club Vancouver Whitecaps where he has been a solid performer for the team over the last four years setting a club record of consecutive appearances. He also continues to appear for the Canadian national team and has now won 38 full international caps with his latest appearance coming at the end of January in a friendly against Martinique.

When John Keister joined Chester in January 2000 he had already won international caps for Sierra Leone although he failed to add to this total while at the Deva. A good passer of the ball with a biting tackle John joined the club after nine years with Walsall as Ian Atkins endeavoured to add some strength to the midfield. John proved he wasn’t prepared to take prisoners as he was dismissed after only 44 minutes of his debut against Darlington. After returning from suspension he started the next five games but lost his place in the final run-in and was released at the end of the season after a total of 8+2 games.

In 2000/01 the fiery midfielder played eight games for Shrewsbury Town before briefly signing for Stevenage Borough in February followed by Margate in March as they pressed for promotion to the Conference. A knee injury kept John out of the Margate side for much of the following season but he featured for the Kent side against Chester in the Conference in both 2002/03 and 2003/04. While playing for Margate the Manchester born player also won a recall to the national side and featured in the qualifying rounds of the 2004 Africa Nations Cup. In 2006 he was released by Margate and moved along the coast to our former Conference opponents Dover Athletic who are currently playing in the Ryman League Division One. At the age of 37 John is still going strong and is a virtual ever-present for the Whites so far this season.

Chas Sumner [Published 16/2/08]