Grenville Millington (1951-2025)
It is difficult to think of a player who has made such a lasting impression at any football club than Grenville Millington, who has sadly passed away at the age of 73.
The much-loved former goalkeeper made more than 300 first team appearances for Chester between 1969 and 1983 and was widely recognised as the best number one to have ever played for the club. However it wasn’t just on the field of play that he will be remembered as Grenville was an active supporter and volunteer at the Deva Stadium proving to be a hugely popular host in the Legends Lounge on match day. In addition he also acted as chairman of Chester FC during the 2010s and was a founder member of the Chester Former Players Association for which he served as both chairman and president.
Grenville signed for Chester as an amateur from Rhyl and made his debut in the final home game of the 1968/69 season against Lincoln City in a match that also marked the debut of Nigel Edwards and the final appearance for his friend Gary Talbot. Returning to Rhyl, he started to build a name for himself earning nine amateur caps for Wales and represented the Great Britain Olympic team while also working for British Steel in Shotton. After a period with Witton Albion he joined Brighton in summer 1973 but the move didn’t work out and when he returned to Chester he went to see manager Ken Roberts, a man he always admired, and was offered a 12 month contract as understudy to John Taylor.
In November 1973 he replaced the sick Taylor in an FA Cup tie against Telford United, never put a foot wrong and became the first choice keeper. The 1974/75 season proved to be a momentous season for both Chester and Grenville with the club earning a first ever promotion and reaching the semi-final of the League Cup. In the Fourth Round of the competition the Seals crushed league champions Leeds United 3-0 at Sealand Road with Grenville making a crucial save from Terry Cooper with the score at 1-0. He was again in outstanding form when Chester travelled to Newcastle United in the next round and drew 0-0. In the replay at Sealand Road a world class save from Malcolm MacDonald early in the game paved the way for a monumental 1-0 victory. It was during the same season that Grenville had the game of his life when a string of remarkable saves at Barnsley helped secure a 1-0 victory and earned Grenville a 10 out of 10 rating in one national paper.
Chester’s first season in Division Three saw Grenville presented with the Player of the Season award, a feat that he repeated in both 1980/81 and 1981/82. He would have made more than 290 Football League appearances had it not been for a period under Alan Oakes at the end of the 1970s when he shared goalkeeping duties with Brian Lloyd.
Grenville’s last game for the club was in the final home game of the 1982/83 season against Scunthorpe and the following season he linked up with Ken Roberts at Oswestry. In 1983/84 he briefly returned to the Football League with Wrexham to help them through an injury crisis and also played for Holywell Town, Connah’s Quay Nomads and Buckley.
After the club reformed as Chester FC in 2010 Grenville became a key figure at the Deva Stadium and during the 2010s served on the board and even had a short spell as chairman. He was always keen to be involved in any activity that would improve the profile of the club and was reliably on hand to assist any organisation associated with Chester. For many years he was the driving force behind the Former Players Association and always did his best to help any player who he thought might be struggling with health or other issues. In later years he will be remembered for his role as host in the Legends Lounge where his natural enthusiasm, positivity and rapport with the fans proved to be a massive hit.
Grenville’s passing will leave a huge hole in the lives of everyone that knew him and the club send out their deepest condolences to his family and friends.
– Chas Sumner.