TALKS are to take place for a civic reception and open top bus tour of the city for Chester FC’s title-winning heroes.

Council and police chiefs are to meet tomorrow (Friday) with a provisional date of Saturday, May 21, pencilled in for the promotion celebrations.

However, the stumbling block to the plans, which includes a reception at the Town Hall hosted by the lord mayor, is the Chester race meeting on the same day.

Concerns have been raised that a clash of the two events could cause ‘unmanageable traffic problems’ in the city.

Chester FC clinched the Evo-Stik First Division North title on a nail-biting final day of their debut season last Friday.

More than 2,300 Blues fans travelled to Garforth Town to see their heroes lift the championship trophy.

Steve Robinson, chief executive of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “Everyone is keen to celebrate wonderful achievement on and off the pitch as soon as possible.

“However we have to ensure that the two events on the same day do not cause unmanageable traffic problems.

“Whatever is decided tomorrow, the council will mark the season that football was returned to the people of Chester with the rebirth of our club.”

The council will not only be inviting the club’s management and team to the civic reception, but also representatives of City Fans United and volunteers.

“Both groups have played a major part in this success story,” added Mr Robinson.

For more Chester FC news see pages 78 and 80.