Sam Morris, part of the Chester FC team that played Chelsea in front of the club’s highest ever home attendance, has died at the age of 84, writes Chas Sumner.

A right wing back or centre half, Sam made 90 league appearances for the club in the 1950s and also represented the reserves in the Cheshire County League more than 100 times.

Sam signed for Chester as a part-time professional after leaving the army in late 1951 having previously played for Stockton Heath. He made his first team debut in a Welsh Cup tie against Bangor City at the beginning of January 1952 and three days later made his first league start in a Division Three North match against Hartlepool at Sealand Road where he impressed watchers with a calm and authorised display.

The Warrington-born defender’s meteoric rise was completed the following week when he was a member of the Chester team that held Chelsea to a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in the Third Round of the FA Cup in front of over 42,000 spectators.

Sam kept his place in the team for the replay at Sealand Road where Chester were unlucky to lose 3-2 in front of 20,378.

Over the next five seasons Sam was in and out of the first team without ever having a consistent run of games although he won a Welsh Cup runners-up medal in 1955 when the Blues beat Barry Town in Cardiff.

In September 1956 he finally established himself in the first team, replacing Eric Lee at centre half, after Chester had only picked up two points from the first eight games of the campaign. He retained his place until the following Easter when a knee injury effectively ended his career although he managed a handful of appearances in the Cheshire County League during 1957/58.

He was one of three players awarded a testimonial by the club in 1957 when Chester faced an Everton team at Sealand Road.

Chester FC send out their condolences to his family and friends.