HALL OF FAME | Andy Holden to be inducted

One of Chester’s most popular defenders is to be inducted into the Chester FC Hall of Fame.

Andy Holden, who made exactly 100 League appearances between 1983 and 1986,  will become the 23^rd ex-Blue to receive the accolade when he attends the home game v Southport on New Year’s Day.

Andy achieved legendary status among Chester fans with his wholehearted displays which earned him the club captaincy at the age of only 21, Player of the Year in his second season, and part of the successful 1985-86 promotion squad under Harry McNally.

Flint-born Andy has the distinction of being the last Chester player to earn a full international cap for Wales, this coming in 1985 versus Israel following under-21 honours the previous year.

He left Chester in October 1986 when a bid of £50,000 from Wigan Athletic was accepted with Chester – not for the first time, or the last – being in the grip of a financial crisis.

Chair of the club’s Former Players Association Alan Tarbuck said: ‘I’m delighted that Andy has become a member of the elite group of former players who are honoured by inclusion in the Hall of Fame.  We all know the special place Chester FC has in Andy’s affections and it is great to see him at home matches so frequently these days.’

Nominations for the Hall of Fame are made by the Chester Former Players Association and approved by the club’s Board of Directors. Already in the Hall of Fame are: Grenville Millington, Gary Talbot, Daryl Clare, Peter Jackson, Stuart Rimmer, Trevor Storton, Derek Draper, Iain Jenkins, Mike Metcalf, Elfed Morris, Ken Roberts, George Horan, Michael Wilde, Ronnie Hughes, Milton Graham, Harry McNally, Graham Barrow, Neil Young, Graham Abel, Ray Gill, Jimmy Humes and Hugh Ryden.