HUNDREDS of Chester FC fans packed the Town Hall square to cheer on the Blues as they arrived to a hero’s welcome on Saturday.
The champions of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division travelled from the Exacta Stadium to Chester Town Hall on the open-top heritage tour bus, cheered along by supporters, to be greeted by enthusiastic fans at their destination.
Players, managers, directors and backroom staff, as well as club mascot Big Lupus, all walked up the steps to the Town Hall, where on hand to welcome them was the Lord Mayor of Chester Eleanor Johnson and Cheshire West and Chester Council leader Mike Jones.
The title-winning club, which has now won back-to-back promotions since it was formed two years ago after the collapse of Chester City FC, then headed into the Town Hall for a civic reception.
Chester FC general manager Pat Cluskey said of the celebrations: “It was a fantastic end to a fantastic season.
“The fact that so many people came out to see the parade was heartening. It was great to see a lot of blue and white.”
The Blues have chalked up the best league record of any team in the top seven tiers of football, scoring 102 goals on their way to 100 points from 42 games.
Mr Cluskey added: “It was a great season and a credit to all the fans who made it a memorable occasion, I know the fans were very pleased with the experience.
“It’s not just the playing staff but all the volunteers who, without their support, it would be a big struggle for us.
“The Lord Mayor and the leader of the council being there was also good as it’s nice to be recognised by the authority.”
