This blog is written by Chas Sumner the author of 125 Years On The Borderline – The Complete History of Chester City Football Club 1885-2010. Having compiled the book I wanted to use the blog to expand on aspects of the statistics and history of the club that interest me. If other people find it interesting as well then that is a bonus.
Chester Football History 
Well done Chas – I’m obviously as nerdy as you as I thouroughly enjoyed reading through your postings to date! JH.
Interesting website and a great read?
Is there going to be an update to your book? It would have a very happy ending.
I have no plans to update On the Borderline again as that part of the history came to a conclusion when the old Chester City went bust. If I did another book it would start in 2010 and just cover Chester FC but there are no plans at the moment.
Hi, does anyone have any information about the historic player Willis Bentley from the 1891 season please? Is he mentioned in the book? I’m researching his history and have several newspaper match reports but nothing else. Thanks
His appearances will be listed in the first edition of On The Borderline but not the second. I may also have some notes somewhere. His surname rings a bell but I wasn’t aware of his Christian name. I am not in a position to check at the moment but I will get back to you.
I know he joined Chester from Gainsborough Trinity and played in 4 Combination games where the line-ups are listed. He also played in one FA Cup tie in 1891/92
Many thanks. I have newspaper articles listing him in several matches, plus the trial he participated in to join the team. Let me know if you’d like details.
I would be interested in any additional information you have
Hi Chas, I can’t find an email address for you. Could you send me an email please? Nick
I am trying to get hold of programmes for all the games I have attended since 1964 and am only missing a few Chester F.C. reserve programmes in the Cheshire League from the 1967-8 season. If anyone has any for sale, feel free to email me at s.h.rigby@manchester.ac.uk
Hi Chas. Sorting through some old family ephemera, I stumbled on an autograph book which has a Chester FC signitures. The only names I managed to track down on your excellent site [and wikipedia] are Tommy Astbury and Dick Yates. Other names I can make out are O. Williams, W. Rigby, ? Wallace, Gordon Breenan [?], and ? Brown. My dad was brought up in Birkenhead, – so I assume these autographs were collected at Prenton Park or, possibly on an away trip to Sealand Rd. I could send you through an image if you’re interested. I’m just intrigued as to the date. Imagine it’s around the mid-1940’s? Many thanks – Dave
Dave
I have emailed you.
Chas
Hi Chas, great site. I run http://www.citytilidie.com and I’m trying to find more information on Chester’s 1968/69 pre-season friendly with Manchester City. All I have on it so far is it was played on 27th July 68 and it ended 4-4. If you have anymore info on scorers, teams, ref etc… it would be much appreciated.
Hi I don’t have much in the way of match details to hand but I have emailed you a copy of the programme cover and a couple of details. Chas
Hi there, I have no idea how to contact you! Your work is amazing, could we have chat? email footballshortsfilm@gmail.com
Hello there. I am trying to get hold of the Chester City team line-up for the game against St Albans City played 03/02/2001. If you could email me? Cheers.
Email sent but for reference:
The Chester team for the game was:
Brown, Fisher, Doughty (Woodyatt) , Lancaster, Ruffer (Woods), P Beesley, Carden, Blackburn, Haarhoff, M Beesley, Ruscoe (Moss)
Hi Chas
I can’t access a copy of your book sadly but are you able to confirm exactly where on the current retail park the old Sealand Road ground was located?
Many thanks.
Andrew
Hi Andrew.
If you look at the last picture in the From A Distance article you can see where it was positioned in relation to the traffic lights at the end of Bumpers Lane. It was essentially where B&M, TK MAxx and the car park are located
Chas
Thanks very much Chas-very helpful and much appreciated.
Andrew
Hi Chas. Looking through your book I was extremely surprised to see Frodsham listed as an opponent in the Cheshire Senior Cup 1926-27. I never new the town ever had a club to compete at that level. A bit of research revealed short lived membership of Liverpool County Combination until folding in 1924. Need to find the league they joined on reforming. Do you have any further info on the game?
Nigel
When the draw was made Frodsham were drawn at home but the game was switched to Sealand Road. At the time Frodsham were in the West Cheshire League where Chester A were top of the table. The A team had beaten Frodsham 2-0 a few weeks earlier so it was a complete mismatch with Chester winning 9-1. The report says that the crowd was a ‘disappointing’ 1500 and that there were as many people supporting Frodsham as Chester. Frodsham had a man sent off near the end and the goalkeeper had a blinder.
I looks like Frodsham played at the Athletic Ground but I don’t know whereabouts in Frodsham it was.
Chas
I just wanted to say thank you so much for this site and your hard work. My grandad, Dave McNeil, played for the club back in the 40s and it’s been amazing to be able to learn a bit more about him and his playing career through this site. The old pictures of him and the team are wonderful.
Hi Liz. Thank you for your kind comments. I don’t know if you are aware but there is an associated Facebook group Chester Football History where you might find additional bits of interest. Chas