Chester Sunday Football Today

You may have read my post a short while ago about Chester Sunday Football League and how I remember it “when I was a lad.” Very interesting and enjoyable days without a doubt. If you didn’t read it or you would like to read it again, here it is. In this original article I did mention that I would like to do a follow up. And a follow up there will be. I thought it a good idea and also for my own curiosity that I have a look at Chester Sunday football today. A quick look to see how the local football scene has emerged. Or not as the case may be.

But in order for me to do that I would need some up to date insight. As I am long off the scene I would need some inside information as it were. And haven’t I got lucky in connecting with a very knowledgeable, helpful and informative aficionado. Step forward and take a bow Ryan Williams. The very same Ryan who is in charge of one of the most iconic, if not the most iconic, Chester Sunday football teams, Dee Rangers.

Here follows a birds eye view of Chester Sunday football today and a brief background of Dee Rangers themselves. Thanks Ryan for providing this very informative and useful local footie scene scenario.

Chester Sunday Football Today

I’ll start this next section with a team photo of the aforementioned iconic, long established and still current football teams. Dee Rangers. Below is a message from their manager, Ryan, where he explains the current Sunday League football set up today and let’s us know a bit more about Dee Rangers.

Over To You Ryan

“As you know I am the current Dee Rangers manager and have been for around 12 years now. In that time I’ve put my own stamp on things a little bit and I try and do my bit to help keep up with the modern world. Sometimes this includes helping the league move with the times too, as some of the volunteers have long since retired from their playing days.

Trevor Jones – of Custom House fame is the current league secretary. He works tirelessly to ensure the league stays alive and I don’t think we’d have a league left if it wasn’t for people like him, Gerry Bryne and Keith Bolton (the current league chairman).

As mentioned I’ve been with The Mighty Dee for over a decade. Which means I played with players who fondly remember a section C and some even a section D. But unfortunately in my time we have only ever had the two divisions (with the exception of last year when we had three small divisions of 7 teams; an experiment that as ever was let down by those teams that sign up and fold when they realise it’s not going to be a walk in the park, all of which were inevitably in section A).

Chester Sunday Football Today – A New Experiment

This season however, we have something a little different to try and keep things as competitive. In an attempt to stop teams being in divisions that are unbalanced because of those that did not return, we started the season as one division of 14 teams. Once everyone had played one another, the league table was split in two at the mid way point. Creating a fair and balanced section A and B for the remainder of the season.

It is yet to be known if this experiment worked and will be repeated for the season ahead. Although my gut feeling is no.

The league still boasts memberships of ourselves, Custom House, Waverton and Upton youth who have all been consistently registered since the early 80s at least.

Chester Sunday Football Today – What No Roodee!!

Tough unfortunately nobody plays at the Roodee anymore.

As Sundays and football in general seems to no longer have the number of players that it once did, changes have been made as and where we can. The league has expanded to include Ellesmere Port, who no longer have enough interest to have their own league. And more recently the league has voted to increase the number of subs from the traditional 3 to 5, though we are still behind the rest of the county in not having roll on roll off subs.”

Dee Rangers

Right confession time. I’ve had a look at the team photo and I have to admit, even I recognise some of the players. I’ll not name them but suffice it to say, fair do’s fellas – still playing well into their…..ahem…cough….cough 30+ years!!

I’m not sure how long Dee Rangers have been going but I know it’s been donkeys years. Maybe Ryan can get in touch and let us know. I remember playing against them many times in the 80’s. They also played in blue then. In fact, I played with some of their players in the 80’s for another Sunday League team of the time, Handbridge Athletic.

It just goes to show how keen lads were to play back then. Handbridge Athletic provided our shorts and socks but we had to buy our own shirts!! I also remember we played our home games at Westminster Park. Our colours were white shirts; blue shorts and white socks.

Some of the Handbridge Athletic lads went on to play for Dee Rangers.

Dee Rangers 40 Years Or So

I would hazard a guess and say that Dee Rangers have been going for somewhere in the region of 40 years. That is incredible really. Also incredible is Ryan’s achievement in staying at the helm for 12 of those years. Sunday football today needs dedicated people like Ryan.

And, of course, also take a bow the committee members that Ryan mentions above. I’m sure that over and above the undoubted hassles involved in keeping the league going, they do also enjoy the involvement. Hopefully the players that do actually don a pair of boots on a Sunday morning, also recognise the sacrifices these fellas make and appreciate their efforts.

A huge well done to one and all. Let’s hope going forward more and more lads – young and old – see the benefits of getting involved. Young lads in particular, put your phones down and have a go hey. You’ll be surprised at how much you will enjoy it.

You can find out more about Chester Sunday football by heading on over to HERE. On this page you will find a link for a new club application. Why not give some thought to starting your own team? It is a great experience. You won’t be disappointed.

In addition, in the link above, you can also read about a brief history of the League since its inception in 1963. Also, a big shout out to those businesses who offer their support. So, also take a bow these Chester Sunday League partners:

Well done folks. Long may everyone’s involvement continue. And let’s hope Dee Rangers continue playing for many, many years to come. And who knows, maybe enjoy winning a trophy or two along the way!!

A good way to conclude my “Chester Sunday Football Today” article methinks. A bit of nostalgia, a fair bit of information and some food for thought along the way.

Chester Lifestyle Blog Posts

Thanks for reading my latest blog post – Chester Sunday Football Today. To see all of my other blog posts on a variety of topics, then visit HERE.

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