GOING OUT IN STYLE

“The players have been tremendous and I can’t praise them enough. Lads that haven’t been playing regularly came in for the Marine game and showed they could walk into any side in our league.”

“We’ve got a good group now to go forward with and we will be adding to that group, but I won’t be adding massively. I want to keep hold of the majority of the lads that I’ve got and hopefully we can now continue to achieve in the Conference North.”

“In football there is pressure and expectation, but the shackles have been off in our last two games and we’ve been playing like I wanted us to with players getting on the ball, coming off the flanks and getting involved, and Simmo (Chris Simm) playing off the last man.”

“We’ve got a fantastic group of lads and people watching Chester have seen that all season. They have worked so hard for Chester Football Club.”

“It has been great to see the supporters turn out in their thousands to get behind the club. Expectation levels at a part time football club like ours is not easy, but these lads have delivered two years on the bounce and that is great credit to every single one of them.”

A win and two more goals would give Chester fans even more to smile about tomorrow as the club welcome Marine for the final game of the season. The chance to score a century in both goals and points is a fantastic achievement and would cap off a remarkable season that has seen records broken along the way. Manager Neil Young will have midfielder Michael Powell available following suspension and goalkeeper John Danby has now recovered from injury.

Marine have an excellent away record that has seen them reach seventh place in the league. They have won 13 matches, drawn five and lost just twice on their travels this season.

Another bumper gate is expected and supporters are urged to arrive at the ground in plenty of time. Everyone attending tomorrow will be given a free 64-page commemorative match programme that will also contain details of the new away kit for next season in the Conference North.

The club has received some very sad new this week as seven year old Junior Blue member Ciaran Geddes collapsed and died whilst playing football at Locking Stumps Community Primary School, in the Birchwood area of Warrington. In a statement, Ciaran’s family said: “Ciaran was our young, rising star, he shined brightly in our lives. He was taken from us too soon but will never be far from our thoughts and dreams. His football was everything to him, and his beloved Chester FC.” Ciaran was a match mascot for the home game against FC Uniited of Manchester earlier in the season. A minute’s applause will be held for Ciaran before tomorrow’s match against Marine. Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

Chester displayed their championship pedigree with a 2-0 win at fourth placed Chorley last night as goals from Iain Howard and Marc Williams (pictured) completed the double over the promotion chasing Lancashire side. The Blues made a storming start taking the lead as early as the sixth minute as fine approach play by Robbie Booth and Chris Simm set up Howard to score from close range.

With over 800 Chester supporters present in the all-ticket crowd, and in fine voice as well, the Blues continued to dominate the opening period and nearly doubled their lead on three of occasions as Marc Williams, Wes Baynes and Levi Mackin all went close, twice hitting the woodwork. Chester sealed victory midway through the second half as Michael Taylor flicked on a Baynes corner for Williams to score at the far post. Matt Glennon was called on to make a couple of great saves late on to deny John Cunliffe as the Magpies pressed.

Chester conclude their season with a home game against Marine on Saturday. There will be another large crowd as the side receive the championship trophy following the match. A victory will see the Blues reach 100 points, and two more goals will make for a double century celebration.

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“I was asked a question when the people from Chester first came to visit me and that was, ‘would I be able to get the club out of the North West Counties?’ I believed I could but now I’m standing here two years later – and having invoked a two-year contract, which is good – with two championships at the next level up is unbelievable.”

“It’s also quite emotional as we do put a lot of work in. All credit to the players, they have been absolutely fantastic. I am a taskmaster and I don’t smile very often but I want to give them all the credit in the world as they’ve been absolutely tremendous this season.”

A draw with second placed Northwich Victoria tomorrow will be enough to see Chester win the Northern Premier League at the first attempt, and in doing so, seal their second successive championship. Supporters are urged to get to the ground early as a bumper gate around the 4,000 mark is expected for the clash between the league’s top two sides which kick’s-off at 15:00hrs. Should the Vics win tomorrow Chester would need two more points to guarantee the silverware.

Chester recorded their ninth successive victory with a dogged 2-1 at Stocksbridge Park Steels yesterday to take them to the brink of the title. First half goals from Chris Simm and Robbie Booth paved the way for the victory but the Blues had to withstand a lot of second half pressure at Stocksbridge once the home aide had deservedly got themselves back into the game with a goal seven minutes after the restart.

Manager Neil Young is looking forward to seeing his side clinch the title before their own fans: Young said: “After what we experienced at Garforth it would be fantastic to do it at home – and there’ll be no better time than Monday against Vics.”

“We’ll be up against the team closest to us and a team who have also done really well so I’m sure if we can get a big crowd the place will be bouncing.”

Ashley Williams returned to the squad on Saturday. The midfielder now fully recovered from the dislocated shoulder he received at the match at Hednesford Town seven months ago, received a great reception from the 3,000+ crowd as he came off the bench for the last five minutes as Chester maintained their eleven point lead at the top of the league following Saturday's 2-0 win over Whitby Town, the seventh successive victory. With Michael Powell receiving his tenth yellow card of the season, and with it a two match ban, Williams could be set for a starting place once again before the end of the season as the Blues look to wrap up the league championship in the next week. Manager Neil Young was delighted to see his young midfielder return, he said: “He’s worked so hard to get to the level of fitness he’s currently at – which is outstanding – and I thought it would be a great time to get him out on the pitch and give him a lift because he has been down when he’s not been playing. But hopefully over these next six games he’ll play a major part in bringing the championship to Chester.” Chester are back in league action tomorrow night when they make the trip to Kendal Town, kick-off 19:45hrs. • Latest table Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)