ARTHUR Wilmot Turner’s name may not be familiar to most Chester fans but he holds a unique place in the history of the 125-year-old club.

Back in 1886, Turner was the first ever professional to sign for Chester... for the princely sum of £25!

His relatives still live in the city and grandson Peter Ellis, 62, of Blacon, is proud of his grandfather’s place in the record books.

Sadly, no mementoes from Arthur’s playing days have been passed down through the family but Peter still has a silver medal he won for boxing while in the army.

Peter said: “I know he was a PT instructor in the Army and that he was the first known professional to sign for Chester.

“He is buried in the cemetery in Handbridge, by the Grosvenor Bridge, but I know little about his time playing for Chester.”

Author Chas Sumner’s official history of Chester, On The Borderline, sheds some light on Arthur’s achievements.

He played for Chester in their first ever season (1885-86), scoring a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Chester St Oswald’s.

Chester raised enough funds to buy him out of the Army and employ him as their first ever professional player in 1886.

He was appointed team captain following a club AGM at the Boot Inn, on Eastgate Street, in 1889 and skippered Chester to their first ever piece of silverware, the Yerburgh Cup, in May 1890.

Turner even scored Chester’s first ever FA Cup goal, although the 1-0 victory over Potteries side Goldenhill was later overturned as Chester had fielded four ineligible players.

Peter grew up supporting the team his grandfather used to play for. He still lives in Chester, as does his brother Alan Ellis, 58.

Peter almost followed in Arthur’s footsteps by playing professionally for Chester. He had a trial for the club at Sealand Road during the 1960s but manager Peter Hauser decided not to sign him.

“I went down on my push bike and they paid my 10 shillings – which was a lot of money then,” recalls Peter.

Peter used to watch Chester regularly at Sealand Road and during the team’s early years at the Deva Stadium.

He said he would consider watching the team again if City Fans United are successful in reforming the club.

“I hope the fans do it,” he said. “Good luck to them.”