CHESTER FC say it would be “fantastic” if Michael Owen ever wanted to become involved with his hometown club.

The Manchester United and England striker told a national Sunday newspaper that he almost stepped in to save the Blues before the old club folded earlier this year.

His comments have alerted City Fans United, the supporters’ group responsible for creating a new team from the ashes of Chester City FC.

Jeff Banks, CFU and Chester FC board member, said: “Everyone associates Michael and his family with Chester and if they would like to get involved with our fledgling club in some way, that would be fantastic.”

In an interview with the Sunday Mirror, Owen, whose dad Terry played for the Blues in the 1970s, said: “I wouldn’t rule out anything. When Chester were in the mire, I thought, ‘I’d love to help save them, get them up a few divisions’.”

Owen, 30, was born in Chester and now lives in Sychdyn, Flintshire.

The cull of Chester FC’s squad is about to begin – and Neil Young is not looking forward to it one bit.

“It’s going to be a horrible, horrible job,” said Blues boss Young, who has made use of 26 players in his side’s impressive pre-season programme.

“I’ve never liked doing it but it will be even harder this time as they have all done well.”

Young will give every available player in his squad a run-out in Saturday’s home clash with Marine (3pm) and Monday’s newly-arranged trip to West Cheshire League outfit Ashville (7pm).

Fit-again Roger Sharrock will make his first appearance for the Blues while Young will run the rule over another winger, former Macclesfield Town and Rhyl flyer Tyrone Kirk. Transfer target Steven Beck, however, has signed for Droylsden.

Young and two of his players, George Horan and Andy Burgess, are the special guests of tonight’s CFU meeting at the Blues Bar at the Deva Stadium (8pm).

Chester host FC United of Manchester on Wednesday (7.45pm).

Blues fans will take to the field to face their heroes on Sunday – in a game of bowls.

A team made up of Chester City Former Players Association members, including captain Alan Tarbuck, Dai Draper, Ian Moir, Dennis Reeves, Grenville Millington, Ray Carter, Bob Delgado, Bobby Hunt and Elfed Morris, will take on a supporters team at Cheshire View, Plough Lane, Christleton (2pm). Entry is free.

The winner of our competition to win a place on the first ever Chester FC team picture is 52-year-old postman Alan Trotter, of Plas Newton.