ALL eyes will on Chester FC’s young guns tonight when they attempt to book their place in the FA Youth Cup first round proper.

The Blues make the short trip across Cheshire to take on Runcorn Linnets at their Millbank Linnets Stadium home (7.30pm) with confidence high.

Paul Griffiths’ team – for whom it is their first season in the competition – are improving after a poor start to the campaign.

They will be desperate to continue their upturn in form in what is the biggest game in the history of Chester’s blossoming junior and youth set up.

From small beginnings, the Blues now operate seven sides at under 9s, U10s, U14s, U16s, U17s and youth and ladies level.

Head of youth development, Bernard Concannon, and former board member, Mark Howell, have overseen the impressive expansion.

First-team boss Neil Young has nothing but praise for what the duo and their army of coaches have achieved in the past two years.

The double title-winning manager’s work and family commitments mean he has devoted all of his free time to Chester’s highly successful senior side.

But with Young about to go full-time at the Exacta Stadium, he will have more scope to focus on other areas too.

Young, whose 18-month sabbatical from Merseyrail begins on November 23, said: “I haven’t had the time to throw myself into all aspects of the club and obviously one of the main ones is the youth.

“Mark and Bernard have done fantastically. We’ve got all the makings in place – we’ve got the players and the coaches are doing a fantastic job – but what we’ve got to do now is make sure there is a proper structure.

“A structure that will not only make us eligible for important funding but also one that gives a clear vision for every player from the U9s through to the first team.”

Players from the U17s and youth sides could be given their chance to shine in next month’s Cheshire Senior Cup encounter at Cheadle Town.

With Young’s men in a battle for promotion to the Blue Square Bet Premier, opportunities to impress in the league are limited.

That is why the Blues boss is keen to develop a team that bridges the gap between the youth and senior sides.

Young said: “Because we’re moving so fast the gap is getting bigger all the time for them to come and join us.

“So rather than lose them we’ve got to put something in place, whether that be an U19s or U20s side.

“That’s something I’ll be looking at when I come in. I need to find the best fit for us as a football club while at the same time considering the cost.”

Chester’s youth team go into this evening’s Runcorn clash on the back of 4-1 home win over St Helens Town in the North West Youth Alliance Open Cup on Sunday.

Powerful striker Michael Schofield hit a hat-trick and was the man of the match.

Carl Pleavin completed the home side’s scoring.

Entry for tonight’s third qualifying round tie is £3 for adults, £2 for concessions and £1 for children.

Chester squad: Oliver Foster, Louis Hampson, Owen Crawford, Corey Mason, Lloyd Pownall, Sam Rowley, Richard Tomassen, Ryan Barry, Sean Miller, Jack Roberts, Callum Woods, Joe Ormrod, Tom Peers, Carl Pleavin, Josh Rimmer, Michael Schofield.

The winners will host York City in the first round proper.