Chester FC will face Championship side Burton Albion in a pre-season friendly at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium on Saturday, July 30 (3pm).

After being let down by Port Vale, who opted to snub a scheduled friendly with the Blues in favour of hosting a Manchester United reserve side, Chester will now instead play host to the Brewers, who were promoted to the Championship after finishing second in League One last term.

The Blues were left with a blank weekend just seven days before the start of the new National League season on August 8 following the Valiants decision to agree to face the Red Devils. It is believed that new Port Vale manager Bruno Ribeiro's friendship with new United boss Jose Mourinho was a key factor.

But officials behind the scenes at the Blues have worked hard to secure the visit of Nigel Clough's Brewers side at short notice, with the Championship outfit set to bring a strong squad to Chester.

Chester have a connection with Burton after the Blues were the first ever opposition for the Brewers at their Pirelli Stadium home for a pre-season friendly back in 2005.

A crowd of 1,341 witnessed Keith Curle's Chester side secure a 1-0 win over the Brewers thanks to a strike from trailist Avun Jephcott.

It has been remarkable rise for Burton over the past 15 years. From winning the Northern Premier League in 2002, they secured promotion to the Football League in 2009 after winning the Conference.

They spent six years in League Two before winning the title in 2014-15, following that up with a second successive promotion after finishing as runners up in League One last season.