Fans answer call
CHESTER officials have been “overwhelmed” by the response to their rallying call for supporters to get involved with the reborn club.
More than 100 fans turned up to a volunteers meeting at the Deva Stadium where they offered to take up jobs ranging from stewarding games to catering.
Jim Green, board member of the City Fans United supporters group which now owns the Blues, said: “I’m overwhelmed by the response and the eagerness of our membership to give their time and share their skills and experience.
“There’s so many fresh ideas and it’s changing something that was stale and making it something Chester can connect with and be proud of.”
One of the big aims of the meeting, staged in the Blues Bar last Wednesday, was to get supporters to sign up to be matchday stewards.
Chester need to have 44 stewards in place for the Deva to operate at full capacity and, by the end of the meeting, 46 names had been taken.
Chester hold a pre-season stewarding meeting at the Deva Stadium tonight, starting at 7pm.
It is open to anyone who has served as a Blues steward in the past or anyone who is interested in becoming a steward for the 2010-11 campaign.
Roberto lends hand
ROBERTO Martinez and Graham Barrow have given their former club a huge helping hand by agreeing to send a Wigan Athletic side to the Deva Stadium for a friendly.
The Blues will take on the Premier League outfit on Sunday, August 1 (1pm kick-off) in what will be one of the highlights of Chester’s pre-season schedule.
Wigan boss Martinez, whose first-team coach is former Blues player and manager Barrow, said: “Chester is a club close to mine and Graham’s heart and what has happened to them is very sad.
“Hopefully this game will be a boost for the new Chester FC and attract a crowd into the Deva Stadium, somewhere that holds plenty of memories.”
The match clashes with Family Funday at Chester Racecourse, but it has been given the go-ahead by Cheshire Police.
The Blues have also confirmed they will entertain Welsh Premier League outfit Bangor City on Wednesday, July 28 (7.30pm kick-off).
Fan-owned Chester will not, however, be taking part in the Supporters Direct Shield at AFC Telford United on Saturday, July 24.
Manager drops in
BLUES boss Neil Young was guest of honour at the Newton Athletic Youth Football Club awards presentation on Sunday.
Young was invited by Newton’s co-chairmen Stephen Jones and Bernard Concannon as part of their club’s fun day, at which officials from City Fans United’s Junior Blues section were present.
Chester’s community officer Mark Howell said: “It is a privilege to be invited along to be part of such a big day for these children. Hopefully one of them will go on to pull on the blue and white stripes of their hometown club.”
Newton Athletic are a FA Charter Standard club based at the Cheshire County Sports Club in Upton. The club is home to more than 250 boys and girls players aged from under 6s to U18s.
Walk of Deva pride
JUNIOR Blues members of City Fans United are holding a sponsored walk around the Deva Stadium on Sunday (2pm start).
The proceeds will be used to help purchase a stock of T-shirts for new Junior Blues.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments will be provided.
