The joys of football
IF Pat Cluskey hadn’t been bitten by the football bug before he became Chester’s general manager, then he certainly has now.
Faced with a nerve-racking night waiting for internet updates, Cluskey instead chose to make his way to the Giant Axe on Tuesday along with Blues stalwart Barrie Hipkiss to watch second-placed Skelmersdale United’s crucial game in hand at Lancaster City.
They were rewarded for their commitment to the cause when Lancaster scored a last-gasp winner to put table-topping Chester’s title destiny back in their own hands.
Cluskey, whose first sporting love is rugby league and his hometown club Widnes Vikings, said: “I’m very proud to have been at every Chester game this season but I never thought when I started in August that I would be going to watch Skelmersdale at Lancaster on a Tuesday night. But that’s what this does to you and I’m glad we went.”
Power of knowledge
PLACES are filling up fast for the second annual City Fans United Junior Blues quiz night.
Taking place in the Blues Bar at the Exacta Stadium on Friday, May 27 (7.30pm start), 18 teams, each containing up to five members, will battle it to be crowned the winners of the Junior Blues Shield.
The shield will be presented by Lesley Wightman – mother of the late Chester director Richard Wightman – and all proceeds will go to the Junior Blues.
Junior Blues chairman Dave Cartwright said: “The last quiz was a huge success with great banter and we are privileged this year to have Lesley Wightman present the winners with their trophies.”
Tickets are available for £10 by calling Dave on 01978 364222.
Derby date tonight
CHESTER’S youth team are in action tonight against Tranmere Rovers at Raby Villa’s ground on Willaston Road, Thornton Hough (6pm).
The youth team’s player of the year will be presented with the inaugural Paul Raynor Trophy before the first team’s home match against Bamber Bridge on Saturday.
The trophy is named after former Chester favourite Paul Raynor, who died last year aged 53.
