Chester F.C. (2010)
Encyclopedia
Chester Football Club is a supporter-owned English
football club based in Chester
. The club was founded in 2010 following the winding-up of Chester City F.C.
. The club plays its home games at the Deva Stadium, and for its inaugural season played in the Northern Premier League Division One North
following a successful appeal to the FA
. They won the league in their first season and gained promotion to the NPL Premier Division
.
. Following relegation back to the Conference in 2008, the club hit financial difficulties, attributed to the then-chairman Stephen Vaughan. Following a difficult season, in which the club struggled through a variety of financial and playing difficulties, Chester City were finally wound up on 10 March 2010.
City Fans United (CFU) had been formed in October 2009, following growing disquiet amongst fans with the running of Chester City. CFU eventually called for a boycott of Chester City after organising a pitch protest which led to the abandonment of the match against Eastbourne Borough in November 2009, a game which Chester City FC were winning, and the dismissal of the then manager Jim Harvey soon afterwards. The group then began preparations in February 2010 to form a "phoenix club" for the following season just weeks before Chester City F.C. were wound up.
Following the official winding up of Chester City, a ballot was held to choose the name for the new club. Over 1,000 people participated in the ballot and 70% voted for the name "Chester F.C." to be used. The club received the support of Cheshire West and Chester
Council, who granted the lease of the Deva Stadium (subsequently re-named the Exacta Stadium as part of a sponsorship arrangement), Chester City's former ground, to Chester F.C. in May 2010.
. The FA initially recommended that they should be placed in the North West Counties Football League
Premier Division, a decision that the club appealed against. On 18 June 2010, the FA made a statement saying that Chester would instead be placed a step higher and would play in the Northern Premier League Division One North
, the 8th tier of the English football league system
. The club was formally relaunched on May 20, 2010, when Neil Young and Gary Jones were announced as the first manager and assistant of the club. A preseason friendly played at Colwyn Bay F.C.
on 10 July 2010 was the first fixture for the new club, the match resulting in a 2–0 victory for Colwyn Bay. The team's first home friendly was played against Aberystwyth Town
which the 'Blues' won 3–0.
. Rob Hopley scored the first ever goal for the club in the 6th minute, but the game ended in a 1–1 draw. Chester played their first home game against Trafford
and won 6–0, Michael Wilde scoring a hat-trick. In September, Chester lost their first game after a 2–1 home defeat to Chorley. Chester went top of the Northern Premier League First Division for the first time following a 2–1 win at Cammell Laird on in October, before equaling their biggest ever win when they beat Ossett Albion
, 6–0, in January 2011, and recording their ninth consecutive away win at Trafford in the same month. After their win at promotion rivals Skelmersdale
in March, the Blues went 12 points clear at the top of the league, but a number of draws and defeats led to this margin being cut to just a single point by 16 April. Chester's attendances were by far the best in the league, the highest was in the last home game of the season against Bamber Bridge
, which 3,307 people attended. The nearest rivals Skelmersdale then dropped points, to leave Chester 3 points clear with 1 remaining game. The Blues secured the title in their inaugural season on the last day, despite a defeat to Garforth Town, they finished top on goal difference.
was their 7th succesive clean sheet in the league. This run ended after a 1-1 draw away at Buxton in the next match, but only after they established a new Chester City/Chester FC record of 781 minutes without conceding across 8 games in all competitions. The blues then completed the double over FC United after a dramatic 3-2 victory at Gigg Lane
on 15th October.
. He had the nickname 'Lupus' which is the Latin translation for 'wolf'. The crown refers to Chester being a royalist City. Badge variations make it unclear whether the leaves are laurel, a recognised symbol of victory, or oak, a significant (and common) tree in Chester. Oak has long been used in the Cheshire Regiment’s logo, reference to saving King George II’s life beneath an oak tree at the Battle of Dettingen
in 1749.
, their first season also saw their shirts made by sportswear company Joma
. The first ever away kit was a purple shirt with white shorts and white socks. In an away match against Wakefield
on 4 September 2010, the club wore a third kit of white shirt, white shorts and white socks. The club's change strip for the 2011/12 season will be all yellow, the club crest placed in the centre of the shirt for symmetry with the manufacturer's branding.
. It has a capacity of 5,376 with 4,170 seated; it is currently the 119th largest stadium by capacity in England and the second largest in their league
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football club based in Chester
Chester
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the...
. The club was founded in 2010 following the winding-up of Chester City F.C.
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
. The club plays its home games at the Deva Stadium, and for its inaugural season played in the Northern Premier League Division One North
Northern Premier League Division One North
Division One North is one of the two second-tier divisions of the Northern Premier League. It is at tier 4 of the National League System, tier 8 of the English football league system...
following a successful appeal to the FA
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
. They won the league in their first season and gained promotion to the NPL Premier Division
Northern Premier League Premier Division
The Premier Division is the top division of the Northern Premier League. It is at Step 3 of the National League System, placing it six divisions below the Premier League...
.
Background
Chester City were founded, as Chester F.C, in 1885 and joined the Football League in 1931. They played in the Football League until 2000 when the club was relegated. They returned to the Football League after winning the 2004 Football ConferenceFootball Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
. Following relegation back to the Conference in 2008, the club hit financial difficulties, attributed to the then-chairman Stephen Vaughan. Following a difficult season, in which the club struggled through a variety of financial and playing difficulties, Chester City were finally wound up on 10 March 2010.
City Fans United (CFU) had been formed in October 2009, following growing disquiet amongst fans with the running of Chester City. CFU eventually called for a boycott of Chester City after organising a pitch protest which led to the abandonment of the match against Eastbourne Borough in November 2009, a game which Chester City FC were winning, and the dismissal of the then manager Jim Harvey soon afterwards. The group then began preparations in February 2010 to form a "phoenix club" for the following season just weeks before Chester City F.C. were wound up.
Following the official winding up of Chester City, a ballot was held to choose the name for the new club. Over 1,000 people participated in the ballot and 70% voted for the name "Chester F.C." to be used. The club received the support of Cheshire West and Chester
Cheshire West and Chester
Cheshire West and Chester is a unitary authority area with borough status, in the ceremonial county of Cheshire. It was established in April 2009 as part of the 2009 structural changes to local government in England, by virtue of an order under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health...
Council, who granted the lease of the Deva Stadium (subsequently re-named the Exacta Stadium as part of a sponsorship arrangement), Chester City's former ground, to Chester F.C. in May 2010.
Establishment
Chester FC started competing in the 2010–11 season2010–11 in English football
The 2010–11 season was the 131st season of competitive football in England.The season began on 6 August 2010 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier League and Football Conference both starting eight days later on 14 August 2010. The Championship, League One, and League Two ended on 7 May...
. The FA initially recommended that they should be placed in the North West Counties Football League
North West Counties Football League
The North West Counties Football League is a football league in North west of England. As of 2011, the league covers Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Southern Cumbria, Northern Staffordshire, the High Peak area of Derbyshire, and the far west of West Yorkshire. In the past, the...
Premier Division, a decision that the club appealed against. On 18 June 2010, the FA made a statement saying that Chester would instead be placed a step higher and would play in the Northern Premier League Division One North
Northern Premier League Division One North
Division One North is one of the two second-tier divisions of the Northern Premier League. It is at tier 4 of the National League System, tier 8 of the English football league system...
, the 8th tier of the English football league system
English football league system
The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for association football clubs in England, with six teams from Wales also competing...
. The club was formally relaunched on May 20, 2010, when Neil Young and Gary Jones were announced as the first manager and assistant of the club. A preseason friendly played at Colwyn Bay F.C.
Colwyn Bay F.C.
Colwyn Bay F.C. are a Welsh football club, as of the 2011–12 season are playing in the Conference North. Nicknamed the Seagulls, the club play at Llanelian Road in Old Colwyn.-History:...
on 10 July 2010 was the first fixture for the new club, the match resulting in a 2–0 victory for Colwyn Bay. The team's first home friendly was played against Aberystwyth Town
Aberystwyth Town F.C.
Aberystwyth Town F.C. is a football team, playing in the Welsh Premier League.The club was founded in 1884, and plays at Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, where their ground accommodates 5,000 spectators with 1,002 of that capacity seated....
which the 'Blues' won 3–0.
The first season
The club's first ever league match was on 24 August 2010, away at Warrington TownWarrington Town F.C.
Warrington Town F.C. are a football club based in Warrington, Cheshire, England. They were established in 1949 under the name of Stockton Heath Albion. In 1961, they changed to their present name...
. Rob Hopley scored the first ever goal for the club in the 6th minute, but the game ended in a 1–1 draw. Chester played their first home game against Trafford
Trafford F.C.
Trafford F.C. is an English football club based in Flixton, Greater Manchester. The club are currently members of Division One North of the Northern Premier League and play at Shawe View.-History:...
and won 6–0, Michael Wilde scoring a hat-trick. In September, Chester lost their first game after a 2–1 home defeat to Chorley. Chester went top of the Northern Premier League First Division for the first time following a 2–1 win at Cammell Laird on in October, before equaling their biggest ever win when they beat Ossett Albion
Ossett Albion F.C.
Ossett Albion Association Football Club are an English football team who play in the Northern Premier League Division One North. They play at Queen's Terrace in Ossett, in the City of Wakefield district, West Yorkshire , more commonly known as Dimplewells, the area of Ossett the ground is situated...
, 6–0, in January 2011, and recording their ninth consecutive away win at Trafford in the same month. After their win at promotion rivals Skelmersdale
Skelmersdale United F.C.
Skelmersdale United F.C. are a football club from Skelmersdale, West Lancashire competing in the Northern Premier League Division One North. The club is a member of both the Liverpool F.A. and the Lancashire County Football Association.-The first 75 years:...
in March, the Blues went 12 points clear at the top of the league, but a number of draws and defeats led to this margin being cut to just a single point by 16 April. Chester's attendances were by far the best in the league, the highest was in the last home game of the season against Bamber Bridge
Bamber Bridge F.C.
Bamber Bridge F.C. are an English football club based in Bamber Bridge, near Preston, Lancashire. They currently play in the Northern Premier League Division One North and are full members of the Lancashire County Football Association. They play their home games at the QED Stadium in Bamber Bridge...
, which 3,307 people attended. The nearest rivals Skelmersdale then dropped points, to leave Chester 3 points clear with 1 remaining game. The Blues secured the title in their inaugural season on the last day, despite a defeat to Garforth Town, they finished top on goal difference.
2011–12 Season
On 28th September Chester beat league rivals Chorley 3-0, in front of a record crowd of 3,310. Their next game, a 1-0 win against ChasetownChasetown F.C.
Chasetown Football Club is an English football club based in the Chasetown area of Burntwood, Staffordshire. The club currently plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division and is nicknamed The Scholars, having been formed by affiliates of nearby Chase Terrace High School in the Chase...
was their 7th succesive clean sheet in the league. This run ended after a 1-1 draw away at Buxton in the next match, but only after they established a new Chester City/Chester FC record of 781 minutes without conceding across 8 games in all competitions. The blues then completed the double over FC United after a dramatic 3-2 victory at Gigg Lane
Gigg Lane
Gigg Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Bury, Greater Manchester, England. Historically within Lancashire, it was built for Bury F.C. in 1885, and has been their home ever since.-History:...
on 15th October.
Crest
The crest was designed by Martin Huxley, a Chester-based graphic artist and Chester F.C. fan, who described the symbols in the crest thus: The Wolf dates back to when William the Conqueror's nephew, Hugh d'Avranches was appointed the Earl of ChesterEarl of Chester
The Earldom of Chester was one of the most powerful earldoms in medieval England. Since 1301 the title has generally been granted to heirs-apparent to the English throne, and from the late 14th century it has been given only in conjunction with that of Prince of Wales.- Honour of Chester :The...
. He had the nickname 'Lupus' which is the Latin translation for 'wolf'. The crown refers to Chester being a royalist City. Badge variations make it unclear whether the leaves are laurel, a recognised symbol of victory, or oak, a significant (and common) tree in Chester. Oak has long been used in the Cheshire Regiment’s logo, reference to saving King George II’s life beneath an oak tree at the Battle of Dettingen
Battle of Dettingen
The Battle of Dettingen took place on 27 June 1743 at Dettingen in Bavaria during the War of the Austrian Succession. It was the last time that a British monarch personally led his troops into battle...
in 1749.
Colours
Chester play in blue and white stripes with black shorts and blue and white hooped socks, similar to their predecessors Chester CityChester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
, their first season also saw their shirts made by sportswear company Joma
Joma
Joma is a Spanish sports apparel manufacturer, which currently produces footwear and apparel for football, running and tennis. Its headquarters are located in the city of Toledo, Spain....
. The first ever away kit was a purple shirt with white shorts and white socks. In an away match against Wakefield
Wakefield F.C.
Wakefield F.C. is an English football club based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. The club was previously known as Emley A.F.C. from 1903 to 2002.-History:...
on 4 September 2010, the club wore a third kit of white shirt, white shorts and white socks. The club's change strip for the 2011/12 season will be all yellow, the club crest placed in the centre of the shirt for symmetry with the manufacturer's branding.
Stadium
Chester FC play at the Deva Stadium, currently renamed the Exacta stadium due to a sponsership deal, the home of their predecessorChester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
. It has a capacity of 5,376 with 4,170 seated; it is currently the 119th largest stadium by capacity in England and the second largest in their league
Northern Premier League Premier Division
The Premier Division is the top division of the Northern Premier League. It is at Step 3 of the National League System, placing it six divisions below the Premier League...
.
Current squad
League Standings
| Year | League | Level | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Position | Leading Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–11 | Northern Premier League Division One North Northern Premier League Division One North Division One North is one of the two second-tier divisions of the Northern Premier League. It is at tier 4 of the National League System, tier 8 of the English football league system... |
8 | 44 | 29 | 10 | 5 | 107 | 36 | +71 | 97 | 1st of 23 Promoted Promotion and relegation In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season... |
Michael Wilde, 36 |
League
- Northern Premier League Division One NorthNorthern Premier League Division One NorthDivision One North is one of the two second-tier divisions of the Northern Premier League. It is at tier 4 of the National League System, tier 8 of the English football league system...
Champions- 2010–112010–11 Northern Premier LeagueThe 2010–11 season was the 43rd season of the Northern Premier League Premier Division, and the fourth season of the Northern Premier League Division One North and South....
- 2010–11
Records
- Highest Attendance: 3,310 v Chorley F.C.Chorley F.C.Chorley Football Club are a football club from Chorley, Lancashire, England. They were founded as a rugby union club in 1875 but switched to football in 1883. They have reached the FA Cup second round twice in 1986–87 and 1990–91. Their best performance in the FA Trophy was in 1995–96 when they...
, 28 September 2011 - Biggest Win: 6–0 v TraffordTrafford F.C.Trafford F.C. is an English football club based in Flixton, Greater Manchester. The club are currently members of Division One North of the Northern Premier League and play at Shawe View.-History:...
, 8 September 2010, 6–0 v Ossett AlbionOssett Albion F.C.Ossett Albion Association Football Club are an English football team who play in the Northern Premier League Division One North. They play at Queen's Terrace in Ossett, in the City of Wakefield district, West Yorkshire , more commonly known as Dimplewells, the area of Ossett the ground is situated...
, 22 January 2011 and 6–0 v North Ferriby United, 3 September 2011 - Heaviest Defeat: 4–1 v Nantwich TownNantwich Town F.C.Nantwich Town Football Club is a semi-professional football club based in Nantwich, Cheshire, England. The club was founded in 1884 and is nicknamed The Dabbers. The club is currently a member of the Northern Premier League Premier Division, with home matches played at the Weaver Stadium.Nantwich...
, 29 August 2011 - All-time top Goalscorer: Michael Wilde – 41 goals (38 League, 3 Cup)