NEIL Young has paid tribute to Alex Hay and the rest of his backroom team as he prepares to celebrate his 100th league game in charge of Chester FC away to Gloucester City on Sunday (3pm).

The Blues boss was expected to celebrate the major milestone at home to Corby Town last night.

However the match was postponed to avoid clashing with the FA Trophy replay at Worksop Town.

Young’s superb record since being named the reborn club’s first manager has earned him widespread praise.

But Young insists every member of his coaching staff deserves to share in the credit – not least chief scout Hay.

The 31-year-old former Tranmere Rovers striker clocks up the miles for Young to provide him with vital scouting reports on future opposition.

Hay made one of his longest trips yet last weekend when he made the six-hour journey to watch Sunday’s opponents Gloucester in action.

He saw the Tigers – who play their home games at Cheltenham Town’s Whaddon Road home – lose 1-0 at home to Maidenhead United in the FA Trophy.

Hay then reported his findings to Young on Tuesday when the pair watched Tranmere Rovers’ FA Cup victory over Braintree Town together on TV.

Young, who signed Hay when he was boss of Colwyn Bay, said: “Alex is a bit of an unsung hero.

“He’s a quiet lad but he’s very knowledgeable. He’s been a professional, he’s played for me before, and he knows how I work.

“He’s got a full-time job but he was at the Exacta watching us on Saturday and he then went down to watch Gloucester for me on Sunday.

“None of the lads are earning a vast amount of money, they’re doing it because they want to be part of it.

“All of my backroom team are very important to me. It’s not solely down to me or the players on the pitch, it’s down to the whole group.”

Young, who will turn 38 on the day of the Gloucester game, hopes to have Luke Denson back from injury this weekend.

Danny Williams will definitely return to the Blues squad after he missed last night’s FA Trophy replay at Worksop – which was played after The Chronicle went to press – because he was cup tied.

The winners of the replay will host King’s Lynn Town in the first round proper on Saturday, November 24 (3pm).

See www.chesterchronicle.co.uk for a match report from last night.