Chester FC's visit to Tranmere Rovers this weekend will see a return to familiar territory for Blues assistant manager Ian Sharps and reunion with a friendly face.
The paths of Sharps and Tranmere manager Mickey Mellon crossed paths twice at Prenton Park during their playing days, first in 1998 when Sharps was starting out and again for a three-year spell between 2001 and 2004.
But despite what may resemble a trip down Memory Lane for Sharps this weekend, the Blues number two is just focused on the task at hand but admits that a testing time awaits for Jon McCarthy's men.
"I have known Mickey Mellon for quite a few years and played with him at Tranmere and also knew him from his time as Shrewsbury boss," said Sharps, who made 172 Football League appearances for Rovers between 1998 and 2006.
"He's a good man, a good football man and that translates into his sides. It's no surprise that they usually do well and play the game the right way.
"They're obviously a good team and have won four on the bounce and they will be going for promotion this season and Mark Palios (Tranmere chairman) and his wife are doing a lot there to try and get the club back to the Football League."
Mellon surprised many when he took the decision to leave his role as manager of League One side Shrewsbury at the start of October to take up the vacancy at Prenton Park.
But the decision didn't come as a shock to Sharps who believes that Mellon's desire to win and affinity with the Wirral side would have been key.
Sharps said: "I wasn't too surprised. I'm sure he would rather be winning games and chasing promotion than trying to keep Shrewsbury up and winning football matches is good for your CV at the end of the day.
"He also has an affection for the club so I'm sure that helped things.
"He'll be wanting to see them keep building a head of steam going into December and it is up to us to make sure we are on our game this weekend."
Blues supporters have travelled in numbers this season and Sharps is hoping they can be rewarded for their efforts this weekend.
"I'm sure we'll take a great following as we usually do and the players are up for it and we will be making sure that they are fully prepared," he said.
"There aren't too many games this season where we have played poorly and we know that we will have to put in a good performance if we are to get a positive result this weekend."
