Grenville wants ton

GRENVILLE Millington wants to capitalise on the feelgood factor around the Exacta Stadium and entice more Blues stars of the past to join the Chester City Former Players Association.

The association has enjoyed a successful first year since forming 12 months ago and now has 64 names signed up.

But legendary goalkeeper Millington and his fellow members believe they can break through the 100 barrier in the next year. He also praised the warm welcome former players are now given at the Exacta Stadium.

Millington, who is the association’s chairman, said: “The matchday experience these days is a delight. It is wonderful for ex-players to be made so welcome at the football ground, instead of being shunned as at certain times in the past.”

Any player who has played for the club in a first team match is welcome to join the association.

Millington added: “There is no membership fee and all members can take part in sporting and social events and enjoy getting together with their former team-mates.”

Millington was speaking at the association’s first AGM, held last Wednesday at the Cheshire View in Christleton, where members paid their respects to their friend and former Chester defender Paul Raynor, who died last month aged 53 from cancer.

Any former player can contact the association by visiting www.formerchesterplayers.com or by emailing secretary Chas Sumner at chas.sumner@formerchesterplayers.com

Preparation is key

NEIL Young’s meticulous attention to detail continues to pay off.

The Blues boss makes sure he gets out to see his Evo-Stik League First Division North rivals in action while he also has a network of scouts to call on.

He credits the preparation he puts into matches as one of the main reasons why he has made such a successful start to his managerial career – and believes the benefits were there for all to see as Chester swept aside title rivals Skelmersdale United in their last outing.

Young said: “We’re working hard in making sure we’ve got every piece of information we can get on the teams we’re playing, which I think always proves a big thing.

“I’m out at least once a week watching teams and if not, I’ve got a couple of guys who watch games for me.

“We always do our homework and it paid off against Skelmersdale. We knew they could pass and play, but we also found out they were quite square at the back. We knew we could get in behind them and we did that time and again.”

Games rearranged

NEW dates have been rearranged for the two matches Chester have lost to the wintry weather in the past week.

Durham City will now visit the Exacta Stadium for an Evo-Stik League First Division North clash on Monday, December 27 (3pm). The Blues were scheduled to entertain AFC Fylde on that day, but that game has now been put back to Wednesday, January 12 (7.45pm).

The Challenge Cup second-round tie at Newcastle Town has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 14 (7.45pm).

A date has also been found for Chester’s final outstanding league fixture, with the trip to Leigh Genesis now taking place on Tuesday, February 1 (7.45pm).

Death of stalwart

BLUES fans are mourning the passing of another of their Sealand Road favourites.

John Butler, who died last Thursday aged 73, was a steady centre-half who played for Chester for six seasons between 1962 and 1968.

After signing from Notts County, he went on to make 240 appearances for the Blues, scoring twice.

Chester will hold a minute’s silence for John and for Paul Raynor, who passed away last month, before next Wednesday’s home match with Woodley Sports in tribute.