Chester FC: Famous picture of Nigel Edwards, Gary Talbot and Grenville Millington recreated 40 years on

Jan 20 2011 by David Triggs, Chester Chronicle

Former Chester players (from left) Nigel Edwards, Gary Talbot and Grenville Millington

AN opportunity too good to miss presented itself when former Blues defender Nigel Edwards was guest of honour for Saturday’s match against Wakefield, writes David Triggs.

The 60-year-old Welshman was joined at the game by old team-mates Gary Talbot and Grenville Millington, who posed alongside Edwards for a famous picture published in The Chester Chronicle more than 40 years ago.

Following a suggestion from club historian Chas Sumner, the trio of Chester legends were only too happy to recreate the image before Saturday’s match at the Exacta Stadium.

The original shot was taken on April 23, 1969.

It marked not only the end of one player’s goal-laden career but also the dawn of an exciting new era for the club.

Chester were hosting Lincoln in a Division Four match at Sealand Road and fans’ favourite Talbot was playing his final game before retiring to concentrate on his career as a press photographer.

A couple of fresh-faced youngsters from North Wales – Edwards and Millington – made their debuts in the 2-0 victory over the Imps and they were pictured with Talbot before kick-off.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Full-back Edwards went on to make 299 league appearances for the Blues while Millington gave the club more than a decade of loyal service and was the first player inducted into Chester’s Hall of Fame last year.

Both featured in Chester’s unforgettable run to the League Cup semi-finals in 1975 and celebrated promotion to Division Three that same year, ending a 44-year spell in the Football League basement.

Edwards was given a warm welcome back on Saturday – and even scored a penalty kick in front of the Harry McNally Terrace at half-time, with former Chester winger Ian Moir acting as a makeshift goalkeeper.