Preview: Carlisle United (H)
Just one pre-season test remains for Calum McIntyre’s side as we prepare for the visit of Carlisle United to the Deva Stadium on Saturday.
The Blues’ squad has been bolstered for the clash after the return of Fin Roberts to the club on a season-long loan from Crewe Alexandra, after his previous stint was cut short by his parent club in February.
Roberts is an exciting winger who provided a different option whilst he was in the Seals’ front line last campaign.
The 19-year-old picked up a pair of important goals in our seven-match winning run at the start of 2025, with one in the 4-2 victory at Scarborough Athletic and a close-range finish away at Peterborough Sports that secured all three points.
Calum McIntyre’s side come into this clash off the back of a weekend in Northern Ireland, which ended with a positive performance against NIFL Premiership Glentoran, a contest that ended 1-1.
The Opposition
Carlisle United will have to adjust to unfamiliar surroundings this season, which will be just their second outside the football league for 97 years.
Back-to-back relegations culminated in a drop to the National League after the Cumbrians finished seven points away from safety in League Two.
A tumultuous season in the dugout did little to help Carlisle’s fate, as Paul Simpson, Mark Birch and Mike Williamson struggled to make an impact before Mark Hughes was brought in to try and save the club’s EFL status.
Our last competitive meeting with our opponents came in October 2007 as the hosts ran out 4-2 victors at Brunton Park in front of a crowd of 3,154 for a clash in the Johnstones Paint Trophy.
The Gaffer
As previously mentioned, experienced boss Mark Hughes was brought in mid-way through last season to try and save the club from relegation.
Despite a slight upturn in fortunes, the Welshman could not keep the Cumbrians afloat, but he has decided to stay at Brunton Park following relegation to try and achieve an immediate return to the EFL.
A historic playing career saw Hughes feature at a number of world football’s big names, including Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
In the latter period of his career the 61-year-old bounced around the Premier League with Southampton, Everton and Chelsea before he retired immediately after lifting the League Cup for Blackburn Rovers.
Much like his playing career, Hughes has a wealth of experience, with six stints as a top flight gaffer, most notably at Blackburn, Manchester City and Stoke City, before a drop down the pyramid in recent years to Bradford City and finally his current club, Carlisle.
Match Details
Saturday’s game will kick off at 15:00 at the Deva Stadium. The address for the ground is Deva Stadium, Bumpers Lane, Chester, CH1 4LT.
Ticket Details
Chester FC supporters will be in the East Stand, with our respective visitors in Blocks J-M of the West Stand.
Admission prices are as follows…
- Adults: £10
- Concessions*: £8
- 18-21s: £5
- 12-17s: £3
- Under 12’s**: £1
*Concessions classify as Over 65’s, Students, Unemployed and Armed Forces. Proof may be required, including Armed Forces providing a Current Armed Forces ID card, or a valid Veteran ID card, with Unemployed needed to provide a Job Seekers Allowance letter or other proof of unemployment.
**Under 12’s must be purchased with any paying Adult or Concession (no limit)
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE!
CURRENT FULL PRE-SEASON FIXTURE LIST
- Saturday 12th July – Bury 3-1 Chester
- Tuesday 15th July – Runcorn Linnets 1-2 Chester
- Saturday 19th July – Chester 0-3 Salford City
- Tuesday 22nd July – Colwyn Bay 0-1 Chester
- Saturday 26th July – Glentoran 1-1 Chester (2pm)
- Saturday 2nd August – Chester vs Carlisle United