Match Preview: Chorley (h)
We welcome league leaders Chorley to CH1 this weekend, in what promises to be an enticing encounter at the Deva Stadium.
The Seals have had a full week to prepare for the weekend’s contest, after our trip to Leamington on Tuesday night was postponed due to the adverse weather conditions making the surface unplayable.
Despite being eliminated from the FA Trophy last Saturday to Gainsborough Trinity, Calum McIntyre’s players have the chance to triumph in consecutive league matches with a victory over the Magpies.
THE OPPOSTION
Chorley currently occupy top spot in the National League North, one point clear of second place Kidderminster Harriers.
Andy Preece’s outfit have the best home record in the league, but have fared slightly differently on their travels with twelve points collected from eight games.
The Magpies have tasted victory in four of their last five matches, with the only exception being a surprising 3-0 defeat to Marine away from home.
They advanced into the next round of the FA Trophy last weekend with a 3-1 win over the Mariners, but were knocked out of the Lancashire Cup on Tuesday to local rivals Bamber Bridge.
THE GAFFER
Andy Preece has been in the dugout at Victory Park since May 2022 after serving as Chorley’s director of football.
The 57-year-old will reach a landmark milestone on Saturday as it will be his 1000th game in management, which includes 835 matches as a manager and 165 games as an assistant manager under Jamie Vermiglio at Chorley.
The Chorley boss has also had stints managing Southport, Airbus UK Broughton and Worcester City.
During his playing days, Preece was a striker and made over a century of appearances for Blackpool and Bury, before becoming player-manager at the latter in 1999.
Notably, the Englishman appeared in the Premier League for Crystal Palace where he scored four goals for the Eagles.
ONE TO WATCH
Adam Blakeman has become synonymous with Chorley Football Club, having been a mainstay at the club since 2016.
Over the last eight years, the 32-year-old played an integral role in their 2019 National League North playoff-winning squad and magical FA Cup runs.
The full-back’s development commenced in Liverpool and Bolton’s academies before signing for Hyde United in 2013.
After brief spells with Southport and Ayr United, the Englishman initially signed for Chorley in 2016, before rejoining the club in 2021 after a short period spent at Spennymoor Town.
Not only is Blakeman highly regarded as a reliable defender, but he also poses a threat from set-pieces with his consistency of quality deliveries causing opponents problems for almost a decade at Victory Park.
LEAGUE FORM GUIDE
Chester FC | W7 D4 L5 | F18 A16 | Pos: 10th
Last Three
Hereford (H) | W 3-0 | Scorers: Charlie Caton x2, Tom Peers
Darlington (A) | L 1-0 | Scorers: N/A
Needham Market (A) | W 1-0 | Scorers: Harrison Burke
Chorley | W9 D5 L3 | F28 A19 | Pos: 1st
Last Three
King’s Lynn Town (H) | W 2-1 | Scorers: Greg Taylor (O.G), Dubem Eze
Marine (A) | L 3-0 | Scorers: N/A
Leamington (H) | W 2-1 | Scorers: Danny Ormerod x2
Match Preview by Jude Deedigan.
MATCH DETAILS
Kick off is 3pm at The Deva Stadium on Saturday. The postcode for the ground is CH1 4LT.
MATCHDAY INFORMATION
For information on Admission Prices, Entry into the Stadium, Payment Methods, Allocated Seating and much more – visit chesterfc.com/matchdayinformation.
Tickets: Available online – CLICK HERE! Contactless card payments are available at the turnstile, with cash payments available at the Ticket Office.
The GWG Street Food Van will be open prior to the game, serving Burgers, Salt and Pepper Fries and of course – our Footy Scran favourite – loaded fries!
Ginger Cat Coffee are also on hand outside the ground providing their usual excellent selection of hot drinks and iced coffees!
The Cestrian Bar will be open from midday on Saturday, until kick off and then post match, full stocked with a full selection of alcohol and soft drinks as well as showing all of the action.
Inside the ground, the Kiosks will be serving their wider variety of Cottoms pies during the new campaign, including Cottage Pies!
Matchday Programmes will be available to purchase from the Club Shop and our volunteer sellers around the ground, costing £3. If you are unable to get a programme on the day, they are available to buy online – CLICK HERE.
FORMER PLAYERS DAY
Saturday is our first annual Former Players Day!
Half a century on from one of the most famous results in our club’s history, members of the team from that unforgettable night at Sealand Road will be the guests of honour on Saturday.
Last week marked the 50th anniversary of Chester’s 3-0 League Cup victory over Leeds United, as the Blues put the then English League Champions to the sword in front of 19,000 supporters, courtesy of a Jesse James double and a goal from Trevor Storton.
For today’s game against Chorley, we will be welcoming seven members of the 1974/75 squad to the Deva: Grenville Millington; Nigel Edwards; Tony Loska; Ian Seddon; Jimmy Redfern; Terry Owen; and Norman Whitehead.
At half time, the players will be introduced to the crowd for supporters of all generations to celebrate the achievements of a memorable season in our history.
Former Players Day will become an annual fixture and an opportunity for fans to celebrate the club’s heritage, and show their appreciation for those who have worn the blue and white over the years.
Chester Former Players Association offers free membership to all first team players and managers who have represented Chester City and Chester FC.
If you would like more information, or are interested in joining, please contact Chas Sumner at chas.sumner@chesterfc.com.
BUCKET COLLECTION
During the 2024/25 season, we will be welcoming a variety of local charities to the Deva to make collections around the ground prior to kick off and showcase the amazing work they do.
This Saturday we welcome Saughall Colts JFC to the Deva. Please give generously if you can!
Saughall Colts Junior Football Club was founded in 1981 by Keith Evans and played its first home game at Sea Hill in 1983. The club entered the Chester and District Junior Football League (C&DJFL) in 1986.
Saughall Colts JFC ethos is to create a safe environment for children to play and enjoy football. We encourage children of all abilities to play football and improve their skill and understanding of the game whilst having fun and gaining new friendships.
We are a football family with a massive heart whom like to support the local community in which ever way we can.
MATCHDAY COVERAGE
Free commentary on Seals Live via our Match Centre: CLICK HERE
Match Updates on our Twitter/X page: CLICK HERE
HT/FT Updates on Facebook and Instagram: CLICK HERE
A full time match report on ChesterFC.com: CLICK HERE