Chester FC are hoping a themed matchday will emphasise their community spirit in Saturday’s heavyweight clash with Scunthorpe.

Fans from both sides have been encouraged to wear their retro football shirts at the Deva Stadium to continue the annual tradition.

First themed matchday

To mark the retro day, Chester will host live music from 1pm up until the 3pm kick off. There will also be street food vans and charities dotted around the stadium prior to the game commencing, including local charity The Joshua Tree.

Chester FC’s General Manager, Albert Davies said: “As a club, we feel that our themed matchdays are well received by the fanbase. Retro Day is our first of many this year. We picked the Scunthorpe match for this one in particular as it is two clubs with big histories.”

Lifelong fan Russ Dean from The Blacon Seals Supporters Group said: “Chester FC’s retro day is all about celebrating the good times we’ve shared as a club and fanbase, especially through some tough years. For many of us, supporting Chester has shaped our childhood and adult memories. Those old-school kits bring back all the feels.”

As part of Retro Day, Chester have created a classic and popular retro shirt which is inspired from the 1964/65 season. It is available to pre-order prior to the huge match up on Saturday.

 

The match-up, with Chester three points behind their first-placed rivals, has potential to be the best attended since Chester’s National League North playoff semi-final against Brackley Town back in 2022, where the attendance was 4,479.

 

The community

Local charity The Joshua Tree will be in attendance this week. It is a charity which supports families affected by childhood cancer.

Davies added: “We are a community club, so it is pivotal that we are able to showcase the incredible work charities are doing in and around the local area. We have a duty to use our platform to promote and encourage this.”

Financial trouble spelled the end of Chester City in 2010 before a fans group, City Fans United, formed a phoenix club.

This resulted in Chester Football Club officially being reborn on the 21st May of the same year.

With the continued support from the community, a scheme called The 100 Club has recently been set up. Businesses and groups can join by donating £100 towards the Accessibility Viewing Platform at the Deva Stadium.

Dean added: “Since launching the 100 club, the response from local businesses, independents, and sole traders has been fantastic. So many have stepped up to help us make Deva Stadium a more accessible place for both current and future fans. Which shows how much the community cares.”

Chester charity work

A second charity walk of the year has been arranged on Boxing Day.

The Blacon Seals Supporters Group are gearing up to walk from the Deva Stadium to the Marine FC Stadium. They are aiming to raise £10,000 to help fund the accessibility platform at the Deva Stadium.

It comes after their first walk on New Year’s Day 2024, where they raised over £5,000 for two young girls battling cancer.

 

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