News from Deva Stadium April 2023

30 April 2023
PERFECT SEND OFF FOR BLUES
A comprehensive victory over play-off chasing Buxton on Deva Stadium on Saturday gave the Blues the perfect preparation to next weekend’s play-off semi-final. First half goals from Anthony Dudley and Elliott Whitehouse set Chester on their way and the 4-0 rout of the Bucks was completed in the second half with further goals from Charlie Caton and a first goal for Kelly Nmai. The crowd for the game of 3,528 (411 Buxton) was the highest of the season.

Defeat for Buxton saw them drop out of the play-off places on a day which saw many twists and turns before the eventual final places were decided.

The title was won by AFC Fylde with the end of season play-off’s taking place in the coming week;
Tuesday: Alfreton Town v Kidderminster Harriers (winner away at second placed King’s Lynn Town)
Wednesday: Brackley Town v Gloucester City (winner away at third placed Chester).

Relegated from the National League North were: AFC Telford United, Bradford (Park Avenue), Leamington and Kettering Town.

Picture © Rick Matthews

• Final League Table | Match photographs | Match highlights [YouTube]

25 April 2023
WE’RE IN IT TOGETHER
Chester completed their away league campaign with yet another win as a goal from substitute Darren Stephenson brought three points from relegation threatened Kettering Town.

Once again manager Calum McIntyre rested several first team regulars with an eye towards the end of season play-off semi-final. Kurt Willoughby Declan Weeks, Harrison Burke and sidelined skipper George Glendon, along with others took their place among the Chester supporters in the seats and on the terrace at Latimer Park as Chester continued their fine away form.

The only goal of the game came in the 74th minute as Alex Brown’s through ball found Joe Lynch on the left, he cut inside and crossed to Stephenson who controlled the ball, turned and shot across Owen Mason in the Poppies goal.

Chester’s away league record this season reads: Played 23, Won 13, Drawn 9, Lost 1, For 38, Against 20, Points 48.

A bumper crowd is expected to see the Blues entertain play-off chasing Buxton in the final home league game of the season on Saturday, kick-ff 15.00hrs. The Bucks currently lie in the final play-off place, seventh, with a host of teams below them all with the capability of catching them as the season comes to an exciting climax.

Picture © Rick Matthews

• League Table after victory at Kettering | Match photographs

PLAY-OFF TICKET ARRANGEMENTS
Chester have now confirmed ticketing arrangements for the play-off semi-final on Sunday 7 May, kick-off 15.30hrs.

Season Ticket holder sales
Start 10.00hrs on Wednesday 26th April and end 20.00hrs on Sunday 30th April.

CFU Members (including Junior Blues) sales
Start 10.00hrs on Monday 1st May and end 20.00hrs Tuesday 2nd May.

General sales
Start online 10.00hrs on Wednesday 3rd May.

The Deva Stadium Ticket Office will be open for sales during normal opening hours, which are 10.00hrs to 16.00hrs from Monday to Friday.

• Full details here

19 April 2023
FRIENDLY WIN FOR BLUES
Chester beat an Everton X1, containing several first team regulars, in a behind-closed-doors practice game at Everton’s Finch Farm training ground facility yesterday. The score was 1-0 with Reece Daly finding the net.

PLAY-OFF TICKETS

With a home semi-final match in the end of season play-off’s now guaranteed, Chester have announced ticketing sale plans for the game that will take place at Deva Stadium on Sunday 7 May, kick-off 15.30hrs.

Standard league ticket prices will apply. The first sales will go the season ticket holders (one ticket per season ticket). Following this, the second round of sales will to to City Fans United members (including Junior Blues) with members able to purchase one ticket each. Note that all CFU members must be fully paid up members by 12.00hrs on Saturday 22 April to qualify.

The final sales window will see any remaining tickets go on general sale with two tickets allowed per person. All tickets will be sold on a first come first served basis. The date for sales will be announced soon.

16 April 2023
BLUES GUARANTEE THIRD PLACE
Saturday’s home 2-2 draw brought the point Chester needed to guarantee a third place finish to the league season, a tremendous achievement for Calum McIntyre and his team. The Blues made six changes to the side that won at Southport, and handed a debut to on-loan striker Kelly Nmai.

It was certainly a game not lacking in incident as the Blues found themselves two down early on as Adam Clayton took full advantage of a couple of corners to head Farsley in front in the fourth minute and then double that lead in the 22nd.

Things got worse for Chester as Kevin Roberts was given a straight red card following a late challenge on former Blue Lewis Turner. But Chester started to battle back before the break and with five minutes of the first half left Adam Thomas was sent through on goal by Anthony Dudley to slot the ball past Max Dearnley in the Celtic goal.

Chester brought on Charlie Caton at the break and were soon pressing for an equaliser. Debutant Nmai, who was later named player-of-the-match, set up Elliott Whitehouse but his effort was saved by Dearnley. Five minutes into the second period though Chester drew level through Declan Weeks.

The Blues almost snatched all three points in the final minute as Caton was sent through on goal one-on-one but the on-loan striker sent his shot wide.

Chester played in their away shirts as Farsley had turned up in a light blue second strip, and with the light/dark blue colour clash affecting one of the players who suffers from colour blindness, the change was agreed between the teams and the referee Richard Aspinal.

Picture © Rick Matthews

• League Table after Farsley draw |

KIT CHOICES REVEALED
The club have announced the winning styles chosen by a CFU members vote for next season’s home and away kits. They will be produced by Hope + Glory who recently signed a three year deal with the club.

10 April 2023
CHESTER WIN AT SOUTHPORT
Chester maintained their superb away form with a battling 2-1 victory at Haig Avenue on Easter Monday. Backed by an away following of 1,336 (just over half of the crowd!) the Blues took the lead with a goal three minutes into the second half through a long-range effort from on-loan Elliott Whitehouse.

The Sandgrounders, who had seen Jack Doyle sent-off in the first half following a challenge on Kevin Roberts, drew level with an equally spectacular goal from substitute Niall Watson on 56 minutes. Top striker Kurt Willoughby restored the lead seven minutes later with a curling 25-yarder that crashed home off the crossbar.

Willoughby injured himself scoring the goal and hobbled straight off. Also leaving the pitch through injury late on was defender Matty Williams who was replaced by Joe Lynch seven minutes from time.

8 April 2023
CFU MEMBERS VOTE FOR NEW KITS
CFU members are currently voting on their choice of home and away kits for next season. Two options for each have been presented to members, blue home and yellow away. The kit will be produced by Hope + Glory who have signed an initial three-year deal with the club. You can view the options here.

STALEMATE AT THE DEVA
In a game of very few half-chances Chester and Chorley drew 0-0 at Deva Stadium on Good Friday. The highest home league crowd of the season, 3,487, was out in force but neither side were able to break the deadlock. The only real effort of goal came from Chorley’s Billy Whitehouse who was sent through one-on-one with Harry Tyrer in the opening minutes but the Blues ‘keeper saved. The point guarantees Chester a place in the play-off’s. The next aim will be to secure a top three spot.

5 April 2023
JOHN SAINTY 1946-2023

John Sainty, who has sadly passed away at the age of 77, served Chester as manager for 12 months between November 1982 and November 1983. When John was appointed he was faced with the unenviable task of managing a club at one of its lowest ebbs as severe financial constraints affected many decisions.

In many weeks he had to rely heavily on non-contract players in order to field a team but he did mastermind two notable victories. In the Milk Cup, in 1983/84, the Seals overcame a 3-0 first round first leg deficit against Bolton Wanderers with an impressive 3-0 triumph at Sealand Road to go through on penalties and this was followed, in the second round, by a first leg 1-0 win over second tier Leeds United at Elland Road with a goal from Andy Elliott.

• Obituary

PLAY-OFF DATES CONFIRMED
The dates for the National League North play-off’s have been confirmed and are as follows:

Eliminator A (5th v 6th) Tuesday 2 May, Kick-off 19.45hrs
Eliminator B (4th v 7th) Wednesday 3 May, Kick-off 19.45hrs
Semi-Final (2nd v Eliminator A Winner) Sunday 7 May, Kick-off 12.30hrs
Semi-Final (3rd v Eliminator B Winner) Sunday 7 May, Kick-off 15.30hrs
Promotion Final Sunday 14 May, Kick-off 15.30hrs

The Promotion Final will be screened live on BT Sports. The other play-off matches will be available to view on National League TV.

3 April 2023
BLUES MARCH ON
Chester moved a step closer to cementing a place in the play-off's with another fine away performance this time winning 2-1 at play-off rivals Darlington, their second win in the north east in a week. Like last week at Blyth Spartans, Declan Weeks gave the Blues the lead just before half-time. New signing Elliott Whitehouse doubled the lead on 64 minutes with his first goal for the club after signing on loan from Scunthorpe United last week. The Quakers pulled a goal back in the final minute but Chester held firm to remain in third place in the league.

On Friday they are at home to Chorley who themselves lie just outside of the play-off places. The sides last met in September with The Magpies scoring an equaliser in the last minute of the 2-2 draw. The match has been chosen as one of the National League North’s live streaming matches, supporters who can't get to Deva Stadium can view the game online for £9.50.

Details of how you can obtain a viewing pass can be found here.

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