THREE games are all that stand between Chester City and the dreaded prospect of relegation from the Football League.
Three games that rank among the most important in the club’s history.
But one game stands out in City’s do-or-die run-in – and that is Saturday’s visit of Bournemouth to the Deva Stadium (3pm).
Victory would haul Mark Wright’s men out of the bottom two and leave them requiring two wins from their final two matches to guarantee their safety and avoid joining Luton Town in the drop.
Survival is in their hands – and yours too.
Not since the promotion-winning Conference campaign of five years ago have the Blues needed Cestrians to come out in their thousands and support their hometown club.
Boss Wright, who hopes to have midfielder Damien Mozika and striker Kevin Ellison fit to face the Cherries, said: “All of a sudden we’re only a point behind them so it’s become an even bigger game, a massive game.
“It’s vitally important we get a big gate and get as many supporters into the ground to cheer the boys on, because I know they will respond to that.
“The boys seem to be far more settled away from home at the moment and that’s a shame.
“I know we’ve got to give the supporters something to shout about, but we’re hoping they will come out in their thousands because these next three games are massive games for the football club.
“We’ve got a lifeline and we’ve got to take it.”
As Chester fans know only too well, the Conference is a notoriously difficult league to get out of – and it is a fact which followers of their biggest rivals Wrexham are quickly coming to terms with.
It is imperative City do not slip into the non-league wilderness for the second time in nine years.
And that is why Wright, the man who resurrected the Blues in his first spell in charge of the club, is calling on fans to make a date with the Deva on Saturday.
Ticket prices for the match have been reduced, with admission for adults costing just £10.
Bournemouth are certainly taking advantage of the offer. More than 1,000 Cherries fans are expected to make the long trip up from the south coast.
