CHESTER officials face a logistical headache if the club has to settle for promotion through the play-offs.

There is a strong possibility that Neil Young’s side would be forced to play hours before their big end-of-season do at Chester Racecourse if they finish second and then win their play-off semi-final.

The semi-final would take place at the Exacta Stadium on Monday, May 2, and, provided they won, the Blues would then stage the final on the evening of Friday, May 6.

But that date clashes with the last day of Chester Racecourse’s May Festival – and it remains to be seen whether the police would allow the Chester match to go ahead on the same day.

If not, the final would be shifted to the afternoon of Saturday, May 7, with a likely 3pm kick-off not giving Chester’s management and playing staff much time to get over to the Racecourse for the club’s awards bash held later that night.

The Evo-Stik League would prefer the play-off final to be played on the Friday to avoid clashing with the FA Trophy final on the Saturday, but they will leave the final decision with the police.

Further complicating matters is the fact a number of amateur finals are scheduled to take place at the Exacta over the same weekend.

If Chester slip into the play-offs and then qualify for the final, the two Chester & District League finals on May 7 and possibly the Chester & District FA Senior Cup final on May 6 would have to be rearranged.