Chester Football Club-A Brief History
It is probably fair to say that Chester Football Club have had their fair share of ups and downs over recent years. In fact, over their whole existence really. This page is not to be a full, blow by blow account of their history. It is a brief introduction to the club itself and it is a highlight of their major happier moments.
For more details on Chester Football Club – see my links below at the bottom of this page.
Chester Football Club – Chester FC
Today’s club was founded in 2010 following the winding-up of Chester City. In their first season Chester Football Club competed in Division One North of the Northern Premier League. This was after a successful appeal to the Football Association against its original placement in the North West Counties League. Chester won this division in their first season.
Following on from that first successful season, Chester enjoyed more success. They went on to win the Northern League Premier Division in 2011/12 and the Conference North in 2012/13. The manager at the helm during this successful period was Neil Young.
Young began his playing career as a youth team player at local rivals Tranmere Rovers, playing as a midfield player. After moving on from Tranmere, he moved first to Welsh team Conwy United. After that he joined Droylsden. He retired however after persistent injury problems with his shoulder.
Manager Comings And Goings
As is so often the case in football, managers eventually move on for whatever reason. Neil Young left Chester to be replaced by Jon McCarthy. The Chester manager role was his first managerial role. As a player, McCarthy played over 600 games in his career. He was also went on to win 18 senior caps for Northern Ireland.
He is no longer in post however. McCarthy left in 2017 and was replaced by Marcus Bignot, who in turn has moved on.
The current manager’s post is being shared by successful non-league joint managers, Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley.
Chester Football Club Stadium
Chester FC currently play at the Deva Stadium. It has been renamed the Swansway Stadium due to a sponsorship deal. It has a capacity of 5,376 with 4,170 seated.
Deva Stadium was leased to the club by the local Council – Cheshire West and Chester Council. It is located in the Sealand Road Industrial Estate and is noted for it’s location in both England and Wales. The stadium straddles the England-Wales border. All of the ground itself is in England, while the rear of the west stand is in Wales.
Chester’s highest home league attendance at the Stadium was in April 2012 against Northwich Victoria, with a crowd of 5,009.
The Old Chester City
Chester Football Club’s background stretches back to 1885. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester were members of the Football League, mainly in its fourth tier, the 4th Division, but occasionally in the 3rd Division. This was until 2000 when the club was relegated to the Football Conference.
Chester returned to the Football League after winning the Conference title in 2004. Following relegation back to the Conference in 2009, the club hit financial difficulties. These financial difficulties led to the season starting with a 25-point deduction. Chester City were eventually wound up on 10 March 2010.
Although the old Chester City did not enjoy a great deal of success, they did have their moments. Many fans fondly remember the glorious 1974/75 season. They finally won promotion to the 3rd Division for the first time. Not only that, but they also reached the semi-finals of the Football League Cup. This was in the days when the League Cup was held in higher esteem. Therefore a side from the 4th Division reaching the semi-finals was an incredible achievement.
League Cup Glory – So Near, Yet So Far
The memories of the epic 2 legged semi-finals will live on. Chester were paired against the mighty Aston Villa. After drawing the first leg 2-2 at Chester, Villa won the 2nd leg 3-2.
Let us relive some of the semi-final memories…….
As a result of Chester’s fine form, the season ended successfully as Chester went on to gain promotion to the 3rd Division for the first time.
For those eagle eyed readers out there, you will notice that Chester’s goal difference was slightly worse than Lincoln City’s was in 5th place. So, why did Chester go up and not Lincoln? That would be because positions were decided on goal average and not goal difference in those days when clubs were tied on points.
Football League – 1974/75
1974–75 Football League Fourth Division
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GAvg | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mansfield Town (C) | 46 | 28 | 12 | 6 | 90 | 40 | 2.25 | 68 | Promoted to the Third Division |
| 2 | Shrewsbury Town (P) | 46 | 26 | 10 | 10 | 80 | 43 | 1.86 | 62 | |
| 3 | Rotherham United (P) | 46 | 22 | 15 | 9 | 71 | 41 | 1.732 | 59 | |
| 4 | Chester (P) | 46 | 23 | 11 | 12 | 64 | 38 | 1.684 | 57 | Promoted to the Third Division |
| 5 | Lincoln City | 46 | 21 | 15 | 10 | 79 | 48 | 1.646 | 57 | |
| 6 | Cambridge United | 46 | 20 | 14 | 12 | 62 | 44 | 1.409 | 54 | |
| 7 | Reading | 46 | 21 | 10 | 15 | 63 | 47 | 1.34 | 52 | |
| 8 | Brentford | 46 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 53 | 45 | 1.178 | 49 | |
| 9 | Exeter City | 46 | 19 | 11 | 16 | 60 | 63 | 0.952 | 49 | |
| 10 | Bradford City | 46 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 56 | 51 | 1.098 | 47 | |
| 11 | Southport | 46 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 56 | 56 | 1 | 47 | |
| 12 | Newport County | 46 | 19 | 9 | 18 | 68 | 75 | 0.907 | 47 | |
| 13 | Hartlepool | 46 | 16 | 11 | 19 | 52 | 62 | 0.839 | 43 | |
| 14 | Torquay United | 46 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 46 | 61 | 0.754 | 42 | |
| 15 | Barnsley | 46 | 15 | 11 | 20 | 62 | 65 | 0.954 | 41 | |
| 16 | Northampton Town | 46 | 15 | 11 | 20 | 67 | 73 | 0.918 | 41 | |
| 17 | Doncaster Rovers | 46 | 14 | 12 | 20 | 65 | 79 | 0.823 | 40 | |
| 18 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 11 | 18 | 17 | 34 | 47 | 0.723 | 40 | |
| 19 | Rochdale | 46 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 59 | 75 | 0.787 | 39 | |
| 20 | Stockport County | 46 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 43 | 70 | 0.614 | 38 | |
| 21 | Darlington | 46 | 13 | 10 | 23 | 54 | 67 | 0.806 | 36 | Re-elected |
| 22 | Swansea City | 46 | 15 | 6 | 25 | 46 | 73 | 0.63 | 36 | |
| 23 | Workington | 46 | 10 | 11 | 25 | 36 | 66 | 0.545 | 31 | |
| 24 | Scunthorpe United | 46 | 7 | 15 | 24 | 41 | 78 | 0.526 | 29 |
National League
As mentioned, today’s Chester compete in the National League. Not in the main flight National League however. They have slipped down another rung to the National League North.
Let’s hope Anthony Morley and Bernard Morley can work their magic and get Chester back to the levels they have enjoyed before.
Chester FC details:
Check out ticket prices HERE
Directions: Away fans direction details – HERE
For More Posts On Chester Football Club – See Links Below
Goings On At Chester FC – Chester FC sack manager, Marcus Bignot. More chaos at Chester FC. More details HERE.
Grenville Millington – Chester legend, Grenville Millington raises money for Chester Football Club – Read more HERE.
Chester FC – Post about the financial plight of Chester Football Club – see more HERE.
Gary Talbot – A tribute to Chester Football Club goal scoring legend, Gary Talbot – read more HERE.
For More Information On Chester and Chester Lifestyle
If you are looking for more information on the beautiful city of Chester and Chester Lifestyle – click HERE.
