A MEMORABLE week for Chester FC’s thriving youth and junior section was capped when its impressive under 17s side were crowned champions.

The classy Colts, managed by 19-year-old Calum McIntyre, lifted the North West Youth Alliance Second Division title after their 6-2 home success over Ashton Town on Tuesday.

It was their 20th victory from 20 league games.

Among the scorers at the Exacta Stadium was Tom Peers.

The 17-year-old striker from Warrington had made his full debut for Neil Young’s senior side in their 1-0 win at Worcester City on Saturday.

Also on the bench for the Blues in their final game of the campaign was Jack Roberts, an 18-year-old midfielder from Lache.

It was the second game in succession that Chester boss Young had named a player from the club’s U18s team as an unused substitute, following Sean Miller’s involvement in last Thursday’s 1-1 draw at FC Halifax Town.

Blues community football director Mark Howell said: “With Tom, Sean and Jack being involved around the first team this last week it gives our younger boys – and boys we are trying to attract to the club – the message that they could be next; that at Chester FC there is a path to the first team.

“It is a massive challenge but when we look at Crewe Alexandra fielding 11 academy graduates last Saturday it really gives us something to aim at.

“We’ve had a decent first few years but will not become complacent, neither will we let any of the boys. This section is critical to the future of our club and we treat it as such.”

Young and the majority of Chester’s first-team squad head to Magaluf this morning to celebrate their Blue Square Bet North championship success.

On his return on Sunday Young will continue to plan for next season.

Although he will not be releasing his retained list until after the club’s presentation evening at Chester Racecourse on May 18, one player who is set to leave is fans’ favourite Iain Howard.

The goalscoring midfielder is out of contract and effectively announced his departure on Twitter following the Worcester match when he said: “Absolute class fans, can’t thank you enough! The last three years have been the highlight of my career so far!”

Young, who made Howard available for transfer in January, said: “Iain’s obviously not been happy that he’s not been playing and I know it’s not been great for him.

“But my respect for him is as high as it can be. He’s been a model professional. Everything he’s done since he first walked through the door three years ago has been first class.

“He’s a fantastic lad and a fantastic player and I’m sure there will be plenty of takers for him.”

Young is short of left-sided players after Saturday’s shock news that Scottish Premier League high flyers Inverness Caledonian Thistle had beaten him to the signature of Danny Williams.

Young was furious that the club had failed to seal a permanent deal for Williams, who had been on a season-long loan with the Blues from Kendal Town.

But Young said yesterday the matter was now closed, adding that the board is ‘working hard behind the scenes to generate and release more money to hopefully help get us a few more of our targets’.