SEALAND Road held so many happy memories for one Chester fan that he captured the last ever game to be played there on video.
Jim Dutton, 61, of Kinnerton, took his camera to Chester’s match against Rotherham United on April 28, 1990.
The lifelong Blues fan filmed fellow supporters going through the turnstiles one last time before also recording highlights from the match – including the goals from Gary Bennett and Graham Abel in a 2-0 Chester win – and the players relaxing with manager Harry McNally in the bar after the game.
It is a unique snapshot of a truly historic day for the Blues – and now Jim is giving fellow fans the chance to see his work.
He is selling DVD copies of his footage for £5 each, with all funds going towards the City Fans United war chest.
“I think some of it is very poignant,” said Jim, a paid-up CFU member whose children, Laura and Simon, both met their respective partners while following the Blues.
He added: “The history of myself going to the ground goes back to 1958 and the era of Ron Davies.
“My father took me when I was six or seven and that’s been my life. It’s Chester and no-one else. Sealand Road held an awful lot of memories for me. It was sad to see it go.”
Jim, who hopes the Chester public will turn out in force to support a CFU-backed team at the Deva next season, still uses the video camera he used on that sunny April afternoon 20 years ago.
Eagle-eyed viewers of the film will spot Bobby Williamson, the future Chester manager, playing for Rotherham.
The DVD also includes the demolition of Sealand Road, coverage of Harry McNally and chairman Ray Croft cutting the ‘first sod’ at the Deva Stadium and footage of the new Bumpers Lane ground being built.
Copies of the DVD will be available online via the CFU shop, shortly to be introduced at www.cityfansunited.com
To reserve a copy, email: media@cityfansunited.com stating whether you will collect at a members’ meeting, or will look to order online once available.
