Chester FC chairman Grenville Millington has complimented both sets of fans at last weekend’s Chester-Wrexham game pointing out the match was later described as the ‘best behaved cross-border derby for many a long day’.
The ex-Chester player was quoting from The Non-League newspaper’s report of the match, won 3-2 by the Blues, which cited a Cheshire Police source.
Mr Millington told The Chronicle about six seats had been damaged at the Wrexham end but he understood this was probably caused by over-exuberance during the ‘ebb and flow’ of the match rather than ‘wanton vandalism’.
The former goalkeeper, who saw Chester at the wrong end of 3-2 score line at Barrow on Tuesday, commented: “The standard of behaviour was excellent both on the pitch as well as off it. Both sets of supporters should be complimented on their behaviour.”
A few objects are believed to have thrown on the pitch. But supporters on fans’ forum Deva Chat have criticised one press report on MailOnline headlined: ‘Seats torn up, fans kicked out as Chester beat old enemy Wrexham’.
One Blues fan responded: “This is the kind of rubbish that will stop parents taking or letting their kids go to derby games when, a few loons aside, the atmosphere is electric and where your loyalties are cast in stone. You never forget your first time.”
Cheshire Police said in a statement that ‘a carefully planned policing strategy’ ensured the all-ticket match between Chester FC and Wrexham ‘passed off without significant incident’.
Working in partnership with both clubs, North Wales Police, Cheshire West and Chester Council, British Transport Police and the local business community, Cheshire police mounted an operation to combat any potential problems between the rival factions. Following the usual protocol for derby games, Wrexham fans were bussed in under police escort.
A police spokesman said: “Our aim was to ensure the game passed peacefully and in enjoyment, whilst taking into account the rights of the people of Chester to go about their normal business. We would like to thank them for their patience and understanding for any disruption that was caused, and in particular, the fans for their co-operation.”
One man was arrested inside the stadium and charged for using threatening or abusive words or behaviour. He has been bailed to appear at Chester Magistrates Court on November 4.
Were you at the game? What do you make of the policing? Let us know in the comments below
