PRE-SEASON MATCH PREVIEW: CHESTER FC v STOKE CITY

2024/25 preparations continue on Thursday evening as Championship side Stoke City travel to The Deva Stadium, providing a stern test for the Blues squad.

It is another opportunity for Calum McIntyre to get his men into shape for the National League North campaign, which will kick off with a trip to Spennymoor Town on the 10 August.

Our campaign ends with a trip to Norfolk to face King’s Lynn Town, while other notable fixtures include Marine (A) on Boxing Day and Southport (A) on Good Friday.

It is set up to be a good atmosphere at the Deva, with over 600 Stoke supporters already having purchased tickets and making their way up from Staffordshire to CH1.

Thursday night will be the last match before Chester’s trip to the Isle of Man, which will see us take on FC Isle of Man and Lancaster City over three busy days between the 19th-21st July.

THE OPPOSITION

The Potters ended the 23/24 Championship campaign in 17th under the guidance of boss Steven Schumacher, who was appointed in December 2023.

Schumacher made the move to the Potteries after a successful stint with Plymouth Argyle, in which he oversaw the club’s promotion from League One after gathering an impressive 101 points.

The club, who last featured in the Premier League in 2018, will provide tough opposition for the Blues, with players such as Viktor Johansson, Lynden Gooch and and Lewis Baker in their ranks.

HISTORY

Stoke are the second oldest professional football club in England and were heavily involved in the formation of the Football League, being one of 12 founder members in 1888. 

As well as this, the Potters claimed their one major honour in 1972, as they lifted the League Cup after a 2-1 victory over Chelsea, watched on by an attendance of 97,852 at Wembley Stadium.

It has been 34 years since our last competitive meeting with the Potters, a defeat at the Victoria Ground in a season which saw our opponents promoted as Champions of Division Two.

PRE-SEASON FIXTURE LIST

Stoke City (H) – 11.07.24 – 19:45 kick off

FC Isle of Man (A) – 19.07.24 – 19:00 kick off

Lancaster City (N) – 21.07.23 – 11:00 kick off

Manchester United XI (H) – 24.07.23 – 19:30 kick off

Altrincham (H) – 27.07.23 – 15:00 kick off

Macclesfield (A) – 03.08.23 – 15:00 kick off

Match Preview by Tom Bird.

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 19:45 at the Deva Stadium on Thursday.

Chester supporters will be in the East Stand and North Terrace, with Stoke City supporters allocated all of the Mike Metcalf (WEST) Stand.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Tickets: Available online – CLICK HERE! Contactless payments are available at the turnstile, with cash payments available at the Ticket Office.

Programme: A pre-season programme, covering all three home fixtures, will be available at the game for just £2.50.

Club Shop: The Shop will be open from 6pm up until kick off for all of your purchases.

Food: The GWG Van will be serving hot food from 6pm up until kick off outside of the ground, with kiosks open in the stands for all your hot and cold refreshments and snacks. Ginger Cat Coffee also return outside the ground for this fixture!

The Cestrian Bar: The bar will be open for you to enjoy a pre-match or post-match refreshment.