What became of the first Chester FC squad?

It's been five years since Colwyn Bay welcomed the Blues to Llanelian Road for the reborn club's historic first game.

Facing much of the side he had left behind, manager Neil Young sent his players onto the pitch less than two months after being appointed, when he set about building a team from nothing.

The game finished in a 2-0 defeat but the result did not matter to the hordes of travelling fans, who watched with delight as Chester returned to the field as a proud, fan-owned club.

Click through the gallery above to view the squad

The fortunes of the varied: some went on to establish themselves as legends of the modern era, others failed to make the cut but each of them was assured of a place in the record books.

The Chronicle has traced the careers of the squad to see what happened next:

Starting side

Richard Whiteside: Tall goalkeeper signed from Burscough and started the season as first-choice before injuries contributed to him losing his place. Moved to AFC Fylde at the end of the 2010-11 season before going on to Lancaster City. Now with Kendal Town, he also works as an academy coach for Morecambe.

Greg Stones: Comfortable in defence or midfield, Stones had previously been with TNS, Rhyl and Colwyn Bay. He made a big contribution to the club winning the Evo-Stik League First Division North title. Stones was released in September 2011 and went on to FC United of Manchester, Prestatyn Town and back to Rhyl, where he remains.

Danny Meadowcroft: Centre-back was the club's first signing but moved on after six months and had spells with Colwyn Bay, Witton Albion and Northwich Victoria. He joined North West Counties League side Barnton, where former team-mate Andy Burgess is assistant manager, last month.

George Horan: Chester-born defender arrived from Droylsden and remained until June 2014. Captained his home-town club to three successive league titles, making 159 appearances. The 33-year-old now plays for Gap Connah's Quay in the Welsh Premier League.

Stuart Graves: Committed full-back or midfielder from Birkenhead who followed Neil Young from Colwyn Bay to Chester having been with Rhyl and Droylsden. Scored a memorable winner at Wakefield but left the club in January 2011 and drifted back into local football on the Wirral.

Stuart Graves chasing down the ball in the club's first game
Stuart Graves chasing down the ball in the club's first game

Mark Connolly: Attacking midfielder and dead-ball specialist who joined from Rhyl, where he had scored 23 times in 35 games. He was loaned to Bala Town in January 2011 and the move was made permanent that summer. Still with the Lakesiders, the 30-year-old is considered one of the top players in the Welsh Premier League.

Danny Mahoney: Signed from Bamber Bridge, the midfielder caught the eye in the club's first game but injuries limited his impact and he moved to Witton Albion in November 2010. Returned to Bamber Bridge last season after spells with Curzon Ashton, Lancaster City and AFC Fylde.

Richie Foulkes: Arriving from Cammell Laird, the midfielder found his opportunities limited and was sent on loan to Witton Albion. He left Chester not long after and dropped back into the West Cheshire League with Heswall and Neston Nomads, where he remains a regular goalscorer.

Iain Howard: Energetic goalscoring midfielder became a firm fans' favourite after signing from Ashton United. Howard bagged 35 goals in 76 starts before being allowed to join Stockport County. Now at Northwich Victoria after spells at Witton Albion, Nantwich Town and Atherton Colleries.

Iain Howard keeps a close watch on the ball at Colwyn Bay
Iain Howard keeps a close watch on the ball at Colwyn Bay

Adriano Rigoglioso: Linked with a move to Chester as far back as 2003, Neil Young brought the attacking midfielder with him from Colwyn Bay. The move did not work out for the Liverpudlian, who left for Ashton United a few months later. His career wound down with spells at Marine, Conwy Borough and Northwich Victoria, where he doubled up as assistant manager.

Michael Wilde: Talismanic centre-forward signed from Fleetwood Town and helped the Blues win back-to-back titles. Scored 46 league goals in 66 games before leaving for The New Saints in summer 2012. Still banging them in for the Welsh champions at the age of 31, netting a Champions League hat-trick this month.

On the bench

Sam Bailey: Came off the bench as a trialist but the midfielder did not make enough of an impression to earn himself a deal. He had a spell with Colwyn Bay and then moved to Newtown in the Welsh Premier League.

Stuart Jones: No-nonsense defender moved to Chester from Cammell Laird and his full-blooded approach made him a popular figure with the fans, scoring a late winner at Prescot Cables. Allowed to leave for Bala Town at the end of the 2010-11 season, the now 28-year-old Jones remains with the Lakesiders.

Anthony Sheehan: Full-back followed Neil Young from Colwyn Bay but was unable to hold down a regular spot in the team and returned to Llanelian Road in September 2010. He later moved to Witton Albion, where had a short spell as manager, before signing for Nantwich Town in October 2014.

Rob Hopley: Scorer of the club's first competitive goal at Warrington Town, the hard-working forward was another to follow Neil Young from Colwyn Bay. Never quite able to nail down a starting place, Hopley returned to the Seagulls, where he remains having been appointed as player-assistant manager.

Chris Rowntree: Chester-born defender or midfielder featured as a trialist after leaving Crewe Alexandra. Moved to Warrington Town after Neil Young decided against signing him. Switched to Gap Connah's Quay after a spell with Prescot Cables but left Nomads in May having ended last season on loan at Conwy Borough.